Canine Ear Problems

"Canine Ear problems have multiple causes such as bacteria, fungus, wax, mites and yeast.
Treatment includes medicated drops and possibly antibiotics. If it is a frequent problem check if hair is blocking the ear.

The most common canine ear problems are excessive ear wax build up, ear mites, dog ear haematoma and ear infections. Infections may be bacterial or fungal, and may be limited to the outer ear (otitis externa) or may also include the middle ear (otitis media). Allergies can also be the cause such as Canine Atopy or yeast infection.
Some dog breeds are more susceptible to ear problems than others. For instance, dogs with hairy inner ear flaps, like schnauzers and miniature poodles, are prone to heavy wax build up and infections.

If the cause is due to a tumor or abnormal cell growth your dog could be suffering from dog neoplasia.
 

Dog Ear Problems Symptoms
The inside of a dogs ear should be pink with the possibility of a little black discharge. Canine ear problems symptoms include:

* Heavy wax build up in the ears
* Redness
* Dirty looking ears
* Discharge
* Bad smell or odor from the ears
* Ear scratching
* Excessive head shaking or tilting the head from side to side
* Rubbing ears against other surfaces
 

Canine Ear Problems Diagnosis

Canine ear problems are usually easy to diagnose. Your vet can often diagnose them simply by looking into your dog’s ears. To make sure of the type of infection, your vet may use a cotton swab to take a sample of the wax or discharge from your dog’s ear and look at it under a microscope.

Canine Ear Problems Treatment
The key is to avoid canine ear problems treatment in the first place. When your dog is healthy, it is generally recommended that you clean his ears weekly. This will help prevent wax build up. Ask your vet for a cleaning solution. Dampen a gauze pad with the solution and wipe the inside of your dog’s ear. Don’t use cotton balls as they can leave behind wisps of cotton inside your dog’s ears. Clean his ears as far as you can reach. Your vet can demonstrate the procedure for you.

If your dog has ear mites, his ears will need to be cleaned with a special dog ear infection medicated solution. Usually only one cleaning is required and your vet will do this when he or she diagnosis your dog with ear mites. If additional cleanings are required, your vet will show you how to do them. If you believe the mites are from the environment surrounding your dog, continue cleaning the area with treatments recommended by your vet.

If your dog has an ear infection, he will need antibiotics. These will come in the form of pills that you dog will need to take for 10 – 14 days. Clean his ears daily during this time. Your vet may give you a medicated solution to clean his ears with, and may also prescribe medicated ear drops.

For small dogs with an ear infection a regular sock can be used to hold the dogs ears back or for larger dogs you can tape them together to help air flow.

Prevention of Canine Ear Problems
One of the simple things you can do to help with canine ear health is to keep your dog's hair from blocking the opening of the ear. Plucking a few hairs to allow good air flow into the ear with help prevent infection.

Treatments for Dog Ear Infections

"Treatments for Dog Ear Infections vary based on the cause of the infection. Common underlying causes are ear mites, allergy and yeast. Treatment options range from prescription antibiotics, ear cleansers and natural ear drops."

1. Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis):This is the most common type of ear infection. Usually both ears are affected. To treat it, the ears are first cleaned thoroughly. Then a medication supplied by your vet is massaged into the ear. A second treatment may be performed in two to four weeks, just to make sure all the mites have been killed. It is generally recommended that all pets in the home be treated at the same time.

You may also want to clean the rooms where you dog lives to make sure that no mites remain and then cause reinfection.

Secondary infections in dogs with ear mites are common and generally involve bacteria or yeast’s.

2. Simple, first time ear infections The ear tissue is normal except for being a little irritated. One or both ears may be affected. These respond readily to treatments for dog ear infections.

The affected ear is cleaned daily. The cleanser may contain a topical steroid to reduce inflammation and/or an antibiotic to fight infection. Oral antibiotics may also be given, particularly if your dog has a fever, which would indicate a bacterial infection.

3. Chronic, repeat ear infections: The ear tissue becomes thicker, spongier, and more productive (produces more wax and other discharge). These infections improve with treatment but keep coming back. Both ears are usually affected. These are most common in dogs with pendulous ears like cocker spaniels and basset hounds.

When dogs have repeat ear infections, it’s often due to allergies. There are mast cells concentrated in the dog’s ear canals, just like the mast cells in humans’ respiratory tracts. These mast cells produce histamines and other inflammatory chemicals in response to allergens. When these chemicals are released in the ears, they stimulate the production of excess ear wax and other secretions.

The waxy, gooey ears provide an ideal place for skin bacteria to grow. They also attract yeast spores. To treat these infections, it is necessary to deal with the underlying allergies, the bacterial infection, and the yeast infection.

Treatments for dog ear infections begin with cleaning the ears every day. Chlorhexidine can be used to clean the ears and treat the yeast infection. Oral antibiotics are used to treat the bacterial infection. Topical antibiotics can also be used.

Treating allergies can be tricky, but it is an important part of chronic treatments for dog ear infections. Many dogs are allergic to fleas, so if your dog has fleas, getting those under control may solve the allergy problem. Otherwise, you’ll need to look at possible food allergies. Hill's Prescription Diet d/d makes several food choices for dogs with allergies. Try feeding your dog one of these. Of course, work closely with your vet to treat your dog’s allergies as well.