If your dog is scratching his ears a lot, it might be due to an infection. Ear infections are common in dogs and can be treated with either home remedies or medications from the veterinarian. In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of ear infections and the best ways to treat them. We will also cover some of the most popular home remedies and medications for dog ear infections.
- 3 Types of Dog Ear Infections
- Signs of Dog Ear Infections
- What Causes Ear Infections in Dogs and Puppies?
- Are Dog Ear Infections Contagious?
- Will a Dog Ear Infection Go Away on Its Own?
- Can You Treat Dog Ear Infections at Home?
- How to Treat Dog Ear Infections Properly
- What If Your Dog Has Chronic Ear Infections?
- How to Prevent Ear Infections in Dogs and Puppies
3 Types of Dog Ear Infections
Dog ears exist in various forms and sizes, but their structure differs from that of human ears. Dogs have a long ear canal divided into vertical and horizontal sections. This forms a J or L shape, which retains dirt more quickly and can lead to dog ear infections.
If you suspect your dog of having an ear infection, do not fret because you are not alone. It has become so common that well-known pet insurance companies in the US have listed ear infections as one of the top five dog medical conditions.
The eardrum follows the ear canal, followed by the middle and inner ear deep into the skull. Otitis is classified into three categories based on the location of the infection in a dog’s ear:
- Otitis externa is an ear canal irritation.
- Otitis media is an ear inflammation that occurs in the middle ear.
- Otitis interna is an inner ear irritation.
Among the three, otitis externa is the most prevalent disease because it affects the most exposed area of the ear. Dogs develop ear infections, either acute (with a sudden start) or chronic (recurring) in nature. An infection in one or both of your dog’s ears is also possible.
Signs of Dog Ear Infections
A clean and dry dog ear is a sign of good health.
Small levels of tiny bacteria and yeast are typical in the outer ear canal, but when debris accumulates, or the normal, healthy ear canal is disrupted, those bacteria and yeast can overgrow and cause an infection.
The following are some of the most common symptoms of a dog’s ear infection:
- Redness
- Odor
- Itching/scratching
- Pain
- Shaking the head
- Tilting the head
- Discharge
- Hearing loss or balance problems.
Dog’s ear infections may occasionally influence a dog’s appetite if the pet suffers from systemic effects and repercussions. This is more common in cases of otitis media or interna.
What Causes Ear Infections in Dogs and Puppies?
Various factors can cause ear infections in dogs and pups. Often, an underlying issue causes the usual protective barrier of a dog’s ear to fail to function correctly. When the ear environment becomes wet or irritated, bacteria and yeast may easily overgrow and cause infection.
Here are some of the most prevalent reasons for a dog’s ear infection:
- Foreign bodies that enter the ear (grass awn, foxtails)
- Ear mites
- Excessive wetness as a result of bathing or swimming
- Food sensitivities
- Allergies to the environment
- Hypothyroidism is an example of an endocrine disorder.
- Pemphigus, lupus, and vasculitis are examples of autoimmune diseases.
- Polyposis (fleshy growths inside the ear canal)
- Cancers of certain kinds
- A traumatic injury to the ear
All of these issues might leave the ear canal vulnerable to bacterial and/or yeast infections. An aural hematoma can form when a dog is in discomfort and clawing and shaking excessively. This is evident in the pinna or earflap, where damaged blood vessels bleed blood, causing clotting and edema as well as discomfort.
Are Dog Ear Infections Contagious?
The majority of dog’s ear infections are not contagious, depending on the reason. However, if ear mites are the culprit, these parasites are exceedingly infectious.
When it comes to ear mites, all dogs in the house must be treated simultaneously. Ear mites are relatively prevalent in puppies and kittens, and they may go unnoticed at first when adopting a new pet.
However, numerous pets in the house will scratch and shake quickly after you bring your new pet home. A methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or other potentially infectious diseases can be cultured from an infected ear on rare occasions.
When engaging with a pet with an ear infection, it is best to wash your hands thoroughly and limit other pets from licking the infected pet’s ears. Good handwashing is also recommended after cleaning or medicating the ear to limit any topical absorption of the medication.
Will a Dog Ear Infection Go Away on Its Own?
The majority of the time, dog’s ear infections will not go away on their own. All kinds of otitis necessitate the evaluation of the infection and the eardrum by a veterinarian. Specific cleansers and drugs might be hazardous to the middle ear if the eardrum is punctured.
Can You Treat Dog Ear Infections at Home?
The short answer is no. Simple or severe ear infections need veterinary care and medicines to restore a healthy ear canal. Doing the treatment at home can even complicate your dog’s infection further, leading to dog hematoma.
After the veterinarian has assessed your pet, they will determine if any additional home treatment is necessary. This can be done if there is only a small quantity of material and the eardrum is intact.
How to Treat Ear Infections Properly
To determine the best therapy, your veterinarian will most likely need to examine the ear debris or take scans of your dog’s ear. These are some of the tests that your veterinarian may perform:
- Cytology colors minute bacterial cells or fungus using specific dyes on a swab of waste. The particular reason can be determined when these are examined under a microscope.
- Culture/sensitivity testing involves using a particular medium/broth to grow and identify the bacterium that is causing the infection. It also determines which drugs are likely to effectively eradicate the illness.
- Endocrine disorder as an underlying issue may necessitate blood tests.
- Skull x-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI may be required to determine the extent of severe or inner ear problems.
Once the details of your dog’s ear infection are known, therapy will likely consist of multiple elements that may include topical, oral, or surgical therapies.
Topical
A cleaner in conjunction with an ointment or eardrop is frequently utilized. Typically, this drug must be injected deep into the ear canal. An oti-pack is sometimes used. This drug is in a lanolin foundation and is slowly released, so there is no need for regular cleaning or drop application.
Oral
Depending on the severity of the infection, an oral antibiotic, antifungal, or steroid medicine may be prescribed to aid in healing the ear from the inside out.
Surgical
Ears that have been subjected to severe chronic illness may no longer respond to medical therapy. The purpose of these ear surgeries is to open the canal or, in some instances, to remove all diseased tissue. Total Ear Canal Ablation (TECA) is a procedure performed to manage dogs’ severe canal or middle ear disease. A TECA involves the removal of the diseased and infected ear canal while leaving the inner ear (the hearing organ) itself (the inner ear) in place.
What If Your Dog Has Chronic Ear Infections?
Chronic ear infections may be time-consuming and stressful for both the cat and the owner, as well as the veterinarian.
According to the Veterinary Information Network, certain breeds of dogs are more likely to have reoccurring ear infections. This might be due to heredity, ear shape, or ear confirmation. Proliferative ear tissue might accumulate over time, making therapy more challenging.
- Chronic infections are frequent in Cocker Spaniels and Springer Spaniels due to their long, floppy ears and a large number of ceruminous glands (ear sweat glands that produce earwax).
- Shar-Peis have tiny ear canals that may catch and conceal dirt.
- Allergies and underlying sensitivities in Labrador and Golden Retrievers can contribute to chronic or recurring ear infections.
- Deep extra hair in the ear canal is seen in Schnauzers and Poodles.
Chronic dog ear infections need constant collaboration with your veterinarian to be treated. Your veterinarian must conduct tests to select the proper medicine. Chronic infections may need treatment for 6 to 8 weeks.
Following therapy, testing is required to determine that the infection has been completely eradicated. If we cease medicating too soon or do not address underlying issues, the illness might reoccur, sometimes becoming resistant to numerous treatments.
How to Prevent Ear Infections in Dogs and Puppies
Grooming, ear cleaning, and ear upkeep are essential to pet care elements. Ear cleaning is especially crucial if your dog swims frequently. Once your vet has determined the severity and type of ear infection your dog is experiencing, they will clean your dog’s ear thoroughly to remove debris, discharge, and ear wax. They may use a medicated ear cleaner or apply topical medication.
A professional dog ear cleaning product is recommended for cleansing. These are often prepared for optimum pH ranges for dogs and contain drying agents. The vet may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications or oral antibiotics for your pet in more severe cases.
Essential Considerations for Dog Ear Cleaning
- You should not use alcohol and hydrogen peroxide when cleaning your dog’s ears since they can damage good ear cells.
- Do not insert cotton swabs into your dog’s ear since this may result in eardrum rupture.
- It is OK to clean cracks and the earflap using cotton balls or ear wipes.
Dog Ear Cleaning Method
- As indicated, apply a liquid cleaner to the ear.
- Close the earflap and gently massage the base of the ear.
- Gently wipe clean with a cloth or cotton balls.
- Apply any medication prescribed.
As soon as you notice symptoms of an ear infection in your faithful friend, you should contact your veterinarian. Prompt and proactive treatment will ensure your dog’s comfort and happiness.
References:
https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/dog-ear-infections/
https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/remedies-for-dog-ear-infections#1
https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/how-treat-and-prevent-dog-ear-infections
https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/ear-infections-in-dogs-otitis-externa
https://firstvet.com/us/articles/ear-infections-otitis-in-dogs
https://www.dailypaws.com/dogs-puppies/health-care/dog-conditions/dog-ear-infection
