When to take a dog with an ear infection to the vet – head shaking
If your dog suddenly starts whining and scratching at her ears, sometimes hard enough to make them red and raw, she may have a common canine health problem—an ear infection. An ear infection is a common condition in dogs, especially those with floppy ears, such as Basset Hounds and Cocker Spaniels. Its estimated that about 20 percent of dogs have some form of ear disease. Believe it or not, yeast and bacteria, not EAR MITES, are the most common causes of ear infections in dogs.
What are signs of ear infections? Ear canals are very sensitive, so the symptoms of infection are often clear, including:
[if !supportLists]• [endif]Scratching of the ear or area around the ear
[if !supportLists]• [endif]Brown, yellow, or bloody discharge
[if !supportLists]• [endif]Odor in the ear
[if !supportLists]• [endif]Crusts or scabs on the inside of the outer ear
[if !supportLists]• [endif]Hair loss around the ear
[if !supportLists]• [endif]Rubbing of the ear and surrounding area on the floor or furniture
[if !supportLists]• [endif]Head shaking or head tilt
If your dog is showing any of these signs, it is important to visit your veterinarian as soon as possible, not only for your dogs comfort (these conditions can be extremely painful) but to also prevent spread to the middle and inner ear.
Be prepared to provide your vet with as thorough a history as possible. Your vet will want to know the following:
[if !supportLists]• [endif]Duration of any symptoms—pain, swelling, discharge, odor
[if !supportLists]• What your dog has been eating
[if !supportLists]• If your dog has any allergies or other conditions
[if !supportLists]• [endif]If your dog is on medication
[if !supportLists]• [endif]How often you clean your dogs ears
[if !supportLists]• [endif]If youve trimmed hair from the ears
[if !supportLists]• [endif]Recent activities such as baths, swimming, playing in a field, visiting the groomer
[if !supportLists]• [endif]History of ear infections (Is this the first one, or have there been others? When did they occur? How were they treated?)
The vet will conduct a thorough examination. The exam may include:
[if !supportLists]• Visual assessment looking for such signs as redness, crusts, swelling, blood
[if !supportLists]• [endif]Gentle palpation of the ear to assess level of pain
[if !supportLists]• [endif]Examination with an otoscope, which can look into the ear to identify foreign objects, impacted wax buildup and debris, ear mites, or eardrum damage
[if !supportLists]• Taking a swab of your dog’s ear discharge and looking at it under the microscope
[if !supportLists]• [endif]Biopsies and X-rays, for extreme or chronic cases
[if !supportLists]• [endif]The vet may have to sedate your pet to perform some or all of the above
Ear infections are one of the most common presenting complaints for dogs in the United States. Veterinarians across the nation regularly see patients with ear disorders. The most common is called Otitis Externa or more simply “inflamed outer ear”. Ear infections can also be in the middle and inner ear, but these are less common than otitis externa. Although otitis can be caused by a bacterial infection, there are many causes and complicating factors, like fungal infection, parasites and allergic disease (to name a few).
If you notice any of the following signs, pay attention and check for the other signs too. Your dog could have otitis and need your help.
There should never be a foul odor or drainage coming from the ears. Normal ears are dry and do not smell particularly foul. They should be lined with skin that is the same color as your dog’s normal skin, not bright red. If you lift your dog’s ear and smell garbage or dirty socks or see bright red skin, it is time to call the vet. If you see a reddish brown discharge (or really ANY discharge) do not rush to the feed store for “ear mite” medication. Adult dogs rarely have ear mites and you will complicate the issue with unneeded solution in the ear and teach your dog to avoid you in anticipation of you applying an uncomfortable medication.
Many cases of otitis are related to allergic disease which unfortunately is not curable, but your veterinarian can help you find a recipe to control the symptoms and make your dog comfortable. Don’t ignore these three warning signs and your dog will thank you.
If your dog is shaking his head or scratching at his ears, he is trying to tell you something. Ear inflammation and/or infection can cause itching. Since our dogs do not have fingers to rub or scratch, they must resort to scratching the ears with their hind legs or rubbing the ears on the ground or furniture. If you catch the trouble when it is first beginning and is still at the itching phase, you may be able to curtail it before it progresses to the next two signs.
What Causes Itchy Ears in Dogs?
A dog scratching its ear can be a sign of many underlying conditions. Here are some of the most common causes of itchy ears in dogs.
Ear Infections. Ear infections in dogs are a widespread issue, especially among dogs with large ears (Retrievers), floppy ears (Cocker Spaniels), or hairy ear canals (Poodles). An ear infection can be caused by bacteria, yeasts, and fungi. In most cases, they are triggered by an imbalance of the microflora living in the dog’s ears, resulting in a yeast infection.
Ear Mites. Ear mites are parasites that live in the dog’s ear canals and feed on cerumen (ear wax). Ear mites are infectious, meaning they are spread from one dog to another. A dog with ear mites will have excess ear wax with an unusually dark or even black color. Managing ear mites requires help from a veterinarian.
Allergies. Dogs with food allergies and sensitivities experience itchy ears. Itchy ears are also one of the signs in dogs with atopic dermatitis and flea allergy dermatitis. Dogs sensitive to environmental allergens (pollen, dust, human dander) can develop ear issues if continuously exposed to the problematic allergen. Dog scratching ear is an unusual yet common sign of allergies.
Foreign Body. Foreign bodies may get lodged in the dog’s ear canal and cause issues. A dog with a foreign body will shake its head vigorously and paw at the ear in an attempt to get rid of the object. The most common foreign body in the dog’s ear is foxtails. Solving the problem requires veterinary help – removing the foreign object and damage control.
Ear Polyps and Tumors. A dog with growth inside the ear can also exhibit signs similar to ear infections. Such growths can be benign (for example, polyps) or malignant (tumors). In both cases, they have to be surgically removed to relieve the symptoms and improve the dog’s life quality. Based on the exact location, full removal may not be possible.
Skin Disease. Various skin diseases (bacterial infections or parasitic infestations like mange) may cause ear issues – scratching and redness. In such cases, the dog ear scratching issue cannot be solved until the underlying skin disease is managed. In this case, the exact treatment for a dog scratching its ear depends on the type of skin problem.
Why does my dog have itchy ears?
Many dogs will get an ear infection at some point â so could you spot the signs and know what to do next? Hereâs how to tackle the problem and help prevent it coming back.
Dog ear infections are very common – but they can be very painful for our pets and, if left untreated, can cause permanent damage to their hearing. They can be caused by a wide range of issues, but knowing the warning signs of an infection can help you keep your dog’s ears as healthy as possible.
There are three sections to a dog’s ear: external, middle and inner. Around 95% of all ear infections affect the external ear, where the ear flap and canal meet. Ear infections in dogs usually start with inflammation of the ear canal, which your vet might refer to as ‘otitis’, and cause pain and irritation.
The following signs can all be an indication that your dog has picked up a pesky ear infection:
If your dog has long-hanging ears, you may see them shaking their head and flapping their ears more often. This can be a way to try and relieve the irritation of their sore ears.
Dogs with upright ears are more likely to rub their ears against their paws or legs to try and ease some of the irritation. They may also rub their ears on you, or your furniture.
If only one ear is affected, from a grass seed or other irritant, you may see your dog tipping their head to one side, often with the affected ear on the lower side of their head.
A bit of light brown earwax is normal in dogs, but an oozy, dark-coloured or smelly discharge can be a symptom of ear infection.
Otitis can cause redness on your dog’s ear flaps, as well as in the ear canal. This will obviously be easier to spot in less hairy areas.
Once an ear infection is established, your dog’s ear is likely to be uncomfortable. They may try to avoid you touching their ears and become a little head-shy. In extreme cases, your dog may show signs of aggression if you try to examine their ears.
Another sign of pain in dogs, this may particularly occur when you try to touch or look inside their ears.