Once the ear environment becomes moist or inflamed, it is easy for bacteria or yeast to overgrow and cause infection. Dark discharge from the ears. According to WebMD, symptoms you need to address immediately include nausea, walking in circles, reluctance to open the mouth, and trouble or problems with balance and standing. Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Dog ear infections are common, so its not surprising that in 2018, Embrace pet insurance listed dog ear infections as third on the list of the top five dog medical conditions.1. Help your dog's ears stay healthy by taking these steps: Inspect your dog's ears every two weeks, checking for dirt, odor, and foreign bodies. Log in 24/7 to access your pets health care information. To diagnose your pet, a veterinarian might sample ear discharge or look through the ear canal to observe the state of the eardrum. The treatment of dog ear infections depends on the underlying cause. Small dogs may recover their balance more quickly than large breeds. If we stop medicating too soon or do not treat underlying problems, it is easy for the infection to return, sometimes even becoming resistant to manymedications. Otitis externa affects the external ear canal, otitis media affects the middle ear structures, and otitis interna affects the internal ear structures. What Are Ear Infections? Skull x-rays, a CT scan, or an MRI may be needed to assess the extent of severe or inner ear disease. Hair loss. Spaniels and Poodles are also at a higher-than-average risk. Normally, a hematoma forms on only one ear but it is possible to see hematomas on both ears. An ideal treatment plan will involve a thorough cleaning of the ear at your vets office, along with antibiotics to be offered over a 7-14 day period. Hair loss, skin lesions, and secondary skin infections, which can develop around the ears, head, and neck from all the scratching and rubbing. Otitis is divided into three types based on the location of a dogs ear infection: Otitis externa: inflammation of the ear canal, Otitis media: inflammation of the middle ear, Otitis interna: inflammation of the inner ear. Ear infections can be acute (with a quick onset) or chronic and recurrent. In puppies, ear mites can also be a source of infection. Three suspects seen on video breaking into LSA Burger Co. By Amber Gaudet Symptoms of canine ear infections include head shaking, scratching at or rubbing the affected ear, discharge, bad odor, redness inside the ear, swelling of the ear canal, pain, itchiness and crusts or scabs inside the ear or along the ear margin. Possible impacts of ear infections in dogs if not treated. Today, ourClemmons vets share signs that may indicate that your cat has a broken leg, and what you should do. What you should see is a clean, pink ear canal. Your dog may become reluctant to move, preferring to sit or lay in one spot, and his head may swing from side to side, even at rest. Yeast infection in dog's ears is a specific ear infection that develops when yeast species (Malassezia pachydermatis) that normally populate the dog's ears overgrow. See pictures of mange, ringworm, yeast infection, anal sac disease, seborrhea, allergic reaction, and more. Otitis interna is a very serious condition. The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. What effects should I look out for? These typically have been specifically formulated for effective pH ranges for dogs and contain drying agents. Ear infections are a common and often recurrent problem in many dogs, but, with your veterinarians help, you can keep your dogs ears clean and comfortable. Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in. Some dogs may walk in circles or become nauseous. Your dog may also become permanently deaf in the affected ear. They will then look deeply into your dogs ear with an otoscope, as this will allow them to examine the structures of the ear canal. Ear mites are a type of parasite that can be contagious between dogs. "address": { Whatever medications are chosen, they must be given precisely as prescribed. On the contrary, they tend to progress and become more dangerous quickly. you get 24/7 access to licensed veterinarians, $3.000 in emergency funds for as little as $19.99 per month. There was an error processing your request. Pet Talk: Ear infections can harm dogs if left untreated, By Brooke Colombo and Juan Betancourt While an ear infection may seem like a minor ailment to some, these infections can have a serious impact on a dogs health when left untreated. "addressRegion": "FL", See our advertising disclosure. Treating an external ear infection may require an antibiotic as well as an antifungal lotion, oral medication, an ear-cleaning solution, or an ear-drying solution. Family history. Some dogs may show no outward signs, but you may notice your dog is reluctant to chew or seems to be in pain when opening his mouth. The authors, editors, producers or sponsors shall have no liability, obligation, or responsibility to any person or entity for any loss, damage or adverse consequences alleged to have happened directly or indirectly as a result of material on this site. Be prepared to tell the vet about your dogs medical history, recent activities, ear infection symptoms, diet, grooming or swimming. However, some dog breeds are more prone to ear infections than others due to age, breed, and lifestyle factors. These are all concerning signs and if your dog is showing them, take them to the vet immediately. Hormonal disorders such as hypothyroidism and Cushing's disease can also cause chronic ear infections. Bladder Cancer In Dogs, When To Euthanize & Say Goodbye, Common Behaviors Of A Female Dog In Heat Our Vet Explains. and irritation. Otitis is inflammation of the ear. There are quite a few things that can cause ear infections in dogs. In this post, our Clemmons vets explain the types of ear infection and how they are treated and diagnosed, as well as what can happen if one is left untreated. Many things can cause ear infections in dogs and puppies. These quick tips make that a little easier: Make sure you have the ear drops close by. Cotton swabs should never be used in the inner canal of a dogs ear. Not only will they often require an extended course of antibiotics, but they may also suffer from permanent hearing and balance difficulties. If an ear infection is allowed to spread to the inner ear, dogs can experience deafness as a result. Hot. Is your cat coughing, sneezing and wheezing instead of contentedly purring? Lorie Huston, DVM, was a veterinarian and writer with over 20 years of hands-on expertise providing medical and surgical care to pets. Cleaning your dogs ears at home can also help prevent ear infections. Copyright 2023. For example, if a dog has a severe ear infection to the point of developing vestibular disease, these pups may need to be on medication for a longer period. The goal of surgery for these ears is to open the canal or sometimes to completely remove all diseased tissue. "name": "Emergency Vets USA", Some ear cleansers irritate the middle and inner ear and can cause signs of otitis interna if the eardrum is damaged, allowing some of the solution to penetrate too deeply. Dogs that develop ear infections frequently will need to have the underlying cause addressed, Teller said. Apply liquid cleanser to the ear as directed. Your vet will want to know the following: After obtaining your dogs history, your veterinarian will perform a physical examination. Most ear infections affect the external portions of the dogs ear canal, causing an array of painful symptoms to follow. Heres a guide to help you recognize the signs of dog ear infections so you can take your dog for treatment as soon as possible. To help you better understand why you should have your dogs ear infection treated as soon as possible, lets list a few of the most common secondary complications. Any of these causes allow for bacteria and/or yeast to overgrow in the ear, leading to the infection.. Hematoma of the Ear in Dogs. Get expert advice to help your pet live its best life, What Untreated Ear Infections May Lead To, Complications From Unresolved Chronic Otitis, The 7 Best Dog Ear Cleaning Solutions of 2023. Your vet will then perform a physical examination, including inspecting the ears. https://www.akc.org/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php. "latitude": "27.954863", The probiotic blend will help with the ear issue, boost the dogs gut health, and support overall, A dog with an untreated ear infection may experience severe complications from facial paralysis and perforated eardrums to, It is also highly recommended to practice regular vet checkups. Will Dog Ear Infections Go Away on Their Own? For example, if the infection progresses, it can cause permanent damage and hearing loss. This is seen more often with otitis media or interna. Common causes of dog ear infections are bacteria, yeasts, fungi, and ear mites. This is based on the location of the infectious process within the ear structures. "Sunday" Treatment of the underlying infection is essential, and your veterinarian will prescribe the appropriate medications. "opens": "08:00", He may shake his head or paw at the affected ear. }, Many nerves pass through a dogs middle ear, and an infection in the area can impact these nerves if left untreated. Difficulty eating and dropping food Inability to blink Development of dry eye in the unblinking eye (see the handout "Keratoconjunctivitis Sicca (KCS) or Dry Eye in Dogs") Eye discharge Drooping of the eyelid, lip, and nostril on the affected side DVM, DACVIM, DACVO: 7/19/2003 (initial author). If a food allergy is a cause of the problem, then switching to a hypoallergenic or limited-ingredient diet may prevent future problems. Dog ear infections require vet treatment and medication in order to restore a healthy ear canal. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Every morning, get a link to our newly redesigned e-Edition and the top Denton headlines you need to start your day. If you notice discharge, redness, swelling, or odor, it's time to talk to the vet. We won't share it with anyone else. These include trauma, tumors in the ear, or the presence of foreign bodies ( foxtail or awn) in the . Blood testing may be needed to check for endocrine disease as an underlying condition. What causes ear infections in dogs? This is one of the most common types of infections seen in dogs. Dog ears come in all shapes and sizes, but they are unique in their anatomy when compared to human ears. It is also highly recommended to practice regular vet checkups. According to Dr. Rowan, ringworm symptoms in dogs can include hair loss sometimes in ring-shaped patches and crusty skin. Though these options will not aid in treating the infection itself, many vets will also prescribe medication for inflammation and pain. "email": "office@emergencyvetsusa.com", Not all pups in these situations will suffer from ear infections, but we always suggest monitoring them closely just in case. There are dog ear care products to help prevent issues from reoccurring. "openingHours": "Mo,Tu,We,Th,Fr,Sa,Su 08:00-17:00", A prompt diagnosis typically leads to a complication-free treatment, though there are some situations in which the recovery is guarded. All of these conditions carry a certain amount of risk for your dog and should be addressed as soon as you notice dog ear infection symptoms. Concerned cat owners frequently ask our Clemmons veterinarians if they should be concerned that their cat sleeps so much. Itchy ears, discharge and pain when their ears or head are touched are symptoms of an ear infection. Answer a few simple questions and find the right dog for you, Compare up to 5 different breeds side by side, Browse the AKC Marketplace to find the right puppy for you, Browse our extensive library of dog names for inspiration, Find out the best and worst foods for your dog and which to avoid, Dog Ear Infections: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and Prevention. Most cases of ear infections in dogs are diagnosed with a simple physical exam and an ear cytology. Shar-Peis have small ear canals that can trap and hide debris. Because of this, some pet owners will be unaware that their pups are enduring a painful ear condition. All rights reserved, A Dog Scratching Ear: 6 Causes, Solutions, and Prevention, Why are My Dogs Ears Cold? An estimated 20 percent of dogs have some form of ear disease, which may affect one or both ears. If your dog cannot eat or drink normally due to nausea or disorientation, hospitalization for intravenous fluid therapy is generally warranted. Not only should your dogs pain be a driving force for a trip to the vet, but these symptoms can point to other ear conditions aside from infections. Choose wisely! Ear infections that are not treated can spread from the outer part of the ear into the middle or inner ear of the dog. Your vet will evaluate both ears, and the exam may include: Your veterinarian will thoroughly clean your dogs ears using a medicated ear cleanser. Symptoms include dizziness, hearing loss, vertigo and loss of balance. However, there are other possible culprits like allergies, ear tumors, and growths. Brooks, W. DVM, DABVP: 9/30/2020 (revised) 1/1/2001 (published). In severe cases of dog ear infections, your vet may prescribe oral antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications. Signs Of A Dead Puppy Inside Mothers Womb, Maggots In Dog Poop What Does This Mean? Medications may be administered directly in the ear and orally. You may also notice short, rapid side-to-side movements of the eyeballs (nystagmus).