What are the symptoms of a dog ear infection?
So, first things first, how will you know if your dog has an ear infection?
The ear canal is divided in to 3 main parts – the external, middle and inner ear – and the symptoms will vary depending on which part is affected. Most infections start in the external ear canal but if untreated, infection can spread to the middle and inner ear.
Signs of otitis externa (external ear canal infection)
- Head shaking
- Ear scratching
- Discharge from ears
- Red and inflamed ear canal
- Odour
- Sores on ear from scratching
- Pain
- Haematoma (swollen ear flap)
Signs of otitis media (middle ear infection) or otitis interna (inner ear infection)
- Loss of balance
- Head tilt
- Nausea
Can dog ear infections clear up on their own?
If you suspect that your dog has an ear infection it is always best to seek veterinary advice because ear infections in dogs don’t tend to clear up on their own. So, when your dog scratches its ear more often than normal, when your dog’s ear looks red inside, when your dog’s ear is red and itchy or when your dog’s ear is full of dark brown wax, call your local veterinary surgeon because the chances are your pooch has an ear infection.
Will a dog’s ear hematoma go away?
An aural haematoma is a large blood blister that forms in the dog’s ear flap (ear pinna). The head shaking that accompanies many ear infections can cause tiny blood vessels in the ear flap to burst and bleed. The resulting haematoma may be small, affecting only part of the ear flap, or it may involve the whole area.
If you suspect that your dog has a haematoma, you should seek veterinary advice. Without treatment, the body will reabsorb most of the blood but there is likely to be significant scarring and crinkling of the ear pinna. Not only will this change your dog’s good looks but more importantly, haematomas can cause discomfort.
Treatment is straightforward and may involve draining the haematoma under local anaesthetic. In some cases, minor surgery may be required.
What causes dog ear infections?
Ear disease in dogs is surprisingly common and can be a source of distress and frustration to both pet and owner. Maybe you took your dog to your local vet with a sore ear and a few weeks later you found yourself back with the same problem. So why does your dog have an ear infection again?
Ear infections in dogs are usually caused by bacteria or yeast. However, a primary underlying condition that makes the dog more at risk of ear infection will be present in most cases:
- Skin allergy
- Ear mites
- Foreign body e.g. grass seed
- Polyp or growth in the ear canal – a growth or lump in a dog ear will cause inflammation and will restrict air flow
- Hormonal conditions such as hypothyroidism (under-active thyroid)
Some factors will predispose a dog to ear infection although not cause disease in themselves:
- Breed predisposition – those with floppy ears are more at risk e.g. spaniels, Bassett hounds
- Lifestyle e.g. swimming regularly
- Hairy ear canals
So, treating an ear infection is not always as straightforward as it may appear. The key to success often involves diagnosing and treating any underlying conditions.
Are dog ear infections contagious to other dogs?
The good news is that dog ear infections are not normally contagious to other dogs. So, a dog with an ear infection caused by yeast is not contagious, nor is infection is caused by bacteria. The only exception is where infection occurs secondary to an ear mite infestation. These tiny parasites live within dog ear canals and can spread from one dog to another through close contact.
So how to tell if my dog has an ear infection or ear mites? Most ear mite infestations occur in puppies. If ear mites are present, there will be characteristic dark brown waxy discharge and the puppy will have a very itchy ear. Your vet may be able to see the tiny mites when they examine your dog’s ear, or they might find them by looking at a sample of ear wax under the microscope.
Perhaps you’re wondering, can dog ear mites go to humans, and are dog ear infections contagious to humans? You will be relieved to know that the answer to both is a definite no!
How often should I clean my dog's ear?
It is best to discuss your dog’s ear cleaning regime with a vet so that they can come up with a plan that is tailor-made to suit you and your dog.
However, as a rule, check your dog’s ears on a weekly basis as part of their normal grooming routine. Cleaning with an ear cleaner every 1 – 2 months may be sufficient for dogs that do not suffer with ear infections or other ear disease and indeed cleaning a heathy ear more frequently than this can sometimes cause irritation to the ear canal.
In dogs that tend to get a build-up of wax and dirty ears, more frequent cleaning may be useful, and if your dog is one of the unlucky ones who gets frequent ear infections, your vet may recommend weekly cleaning to try and prevent flare-ups.
In all cases be sure to use an ear cleaner that is specifically for pets and is safe for long term use.
Where to put dog ear drops?
You have come home from your veterinary surgeon with some drops for your dog’s ears, but you may be a little unsure how best to administer them. Whether your dog is the perfect patient or a bit or a handful, read our top tips for successfully applying ear drops:
- Hold your dog gently but firmly, an assistant is often useful if available!
- Have food rewards to hand to praise calm behaviour
- Your vet may advise cleaning out the ear with an ear cleaning solution before applying the drops. If this is the case, place the nozzle of the cleaner in the top of the ear canal and give a little squirt. Massage the base of the ear and then wipe out the ear canal gently with some cotton wool.
- If your vet has prescribed ear drops, they may recommend waiting for a short time after cleaning before applying them. Following their advice, place the nozzle of the bottle in the opening of the ear canal. The ear drops will drain down into the ear.
- Give the ear canal a massage after you have applied the drops. Many dogs enjoy this part!
- Finish with a treat, either food or fuss depending on your dog’s preference
Getting puppies used to having their ears handled and wiped at a young age will make life much easier in the long run. Patience is key!
So, if your dog’s ear is red and hot and causing them irritation, seek veterinary advice without delay. Once treatment is started, your dog should be back to normal in no time!
