Common Causes and Treatments of Dog Ear Swelling
Swelling is just one sign of ear problems in dogs. Other symptoms include scratching or wiping the ear against things, head shaking or tilting, odor, discharge, redness, scabs or crust, balance problems, walking in circles, odd eye movements, and hair loss around the ear.
The most common causes of ear swelling in dogs include:
Ear mites. Microscopic parasites that feed on the wax and oils inside your dogs ear, mites are behind most ear problems in puppies and young dogs, though they can happen to any dog, regardless of age.
A serious mite infestation can completely block your dogs ear canal with the coffee-grounds-like debris of the mites. Complications may include ear hematomas — in which blood vessels in the ear flap rupture from intense scratching and head shaking — or serious infection.
To treat ear mites, your dog may need a gentle ear cleaning, prescription medication, or insecticidal eardrops. Since ear mites are contagious between cats and dogs, all the pets in your household should be treated. Follow your vets instructions about how long to treat and when to recheck.
Ear hematomas. These are firm, swollen masses on the inside of your dogs ear flap. They occur when a blood vessel within the ear flap ruptures and bleeding occurs between the tissue layers. Sometimes caused by head shaking or scratching because of ear mites or an infection, hematomas can also be the result something foreign stuck inside your dogs ear.
Treatment for an ear hematoma includes a veterinary exam to find out the cause of the hematoma and draining of the blood to prevent ear deformity and scarring. Surgery is usually necessary to prevent the ear flap from filling up with blood again.
Inner or outer ear infections. These can also cause ear swelling in dogs, as well as discharge, odor, and discomfort. Infections can be the result of a dog bite, a foreign object in your dogs ear, polyps, allergies, water in the ear, and other problems.
Left untreated, an outer ear infection (otitis externa) can progress to an inner ear infection (otitis interna), which is painful enough to prevent a dog from willingly opening its mouth and may result in hearing loss or difficulties with balance. Treating ear infections may require oral or topical antibiotics or antifungals, flushing the ear, ear cleaning, or an ear-drying solution. If the problem is chronic, surgery could be necessary.
Avoid the temptation to diagnose your dogs ear swelling yourself. Because the symptoms of one ear problem can sometimes mimic another, its important to bring your dog to the veterinarian to get the correct diagnosis — and the right treatment.
Quick Tips for Applying Ear Medication
If treating your dogs ear swelling requires eardrops, you can make their application a little easier with these quick tips:
Ear hematomas occur when a blood vessel in the ear bursts and bleeds into the space between the ear cartilage and skin. This is most commonly associated with trauma such as scratching or shaking the ears and bite wounds. Dogs with ear infections may violently shake their head or scratch their ears causing an aural hematoma. . In some cases, there may be a piece of foreign material lodged in the ear canal such as a tick, piece of grass, etc. It is also possible that a foreign body initiated the shaking but was later dislodged. Dogs with long, floppy ears are at greater risk for developing ear hematomas. Pets with clotting or bleeding disorders may also develop hematomas, with or without a history of trauma.
Drainage may result in a temporary correction, but the hematoma returns within one to two days in the vast majority of cases. The longer the hematoma is left untreated the greater the likelihood of permanent damage and disfigurement. Drainage may be used if the hematoma is very small, or if the patient cannot undergo surgery for some reason. Anti-inflammatory medication is usually prescribed in these cases. The success rate is less than 50%.
Once the hematoma has been surgically corrected, if an underlying cause of the ear problem is found, such as an infection, an allergy, or a foreign body, it will be treated.
Drainage tubes or bandages may be removed by your veterinarian after three to fourteen days. In some cases, there may be one or more drainage holes from the drain or incision, which will be left to heal by scar tissue. The sutures may be removed after 2 weeks if the ear is completely healed; in severe cases, some or all of the sutures may be left in place for up to two weeks longer. If discharge occurs from the surgery sites before they close, it should be cleaned off with mild cleansing soap. If an infection was present, it will be necessary to recheck the ear canal to be sure that the infection is gone. Otherwise, another hematoma may occur.
We have successfully treated hundreds of ear hematomas over the years. It is a condition that is very easy to recognize at home. If you see a puffy swollen ear, be sure to call us. We will get you and your pup in as quickly as possible.