Does Your Dog Have Ear Problems?

There are many possible ear problems that your dog may have. Your dog can have ear problems that originate on the pinnae, the outer ear that you can see, or the external ear canal. This is referred to as Otitis externa. An infection or inflammation in the middle ear canal is otitis media and likewise, an infection of the inner ear canal is otitis interna.

You can usually tell when your dog has otitis externa, or outer ear infection because they do a lot of head shaking, persistent scratching of the ear, you smell an odor and/or see a discharge coming from the ear or you might see redness on some portion of the ear. If you see these signs, you can be pretty sure your dog has some type of external ear infection. To pinpoint exactly what type of infection your dog has, your vet will need to do an otoscopic exam and swab the ear to check for inflammatory cells, microorganisms, foreign bodies, masses and parasites.

It is harder to tell when your dog has a middle or inner ear infection. Again, an otoscopic exam will be performed so the eardrum can be checked for ruptures, discolorization, or any bulging due to fluid build-up or masses.

Below are the treatments of uncomplicated otitis:

Ear Mites: Treated by a thorough cleaning of the ear canal and then a topical treatment that kills the mites by suffocating them. If the infection is serious then a systemic treatment such as Fipronil (Frontline or Top Spot), Selamectin (Revolution), or Ivermectin (Ivomec) will be given.

Masses and Foreign Bodies: Barbed grasses can cause quite a bit of damage to the dog's ear canal and are usually removed while the dog is under anesthesia. Masses in the ear are surgically removed when possible. The dog is usually given antibiotics and some form of a corticosteroid to help control swelling and pain. Remember, if you dog seems to be having problems hearing, it could be to a mass in his inner or middle ear canal that is causing blockage.

Ear Problems due to Skin Disorders: If the ear problem is due to a hormonal imbalance, your dog's hormone level will be tested and they will be given trial treatments. Neutering or spaying is also an option. If the ear problem is due to allergies, elimination trials will be started to try to isolate the allergen and then eliminate it from his environment or diet. When the infection is due to bacteria, they are usually treated with a topical medication. If serious enough, a systemic treatment will be given.

If your dog has stenotic ear canals (narrow), you can keep infections at bay by frequently, but gently cleaning your dog's ears. It is important that you thoroughly dry the ears each time. Excess moisture is a breeding ground for all types of bacteria thus inviting problems.

When you dog is repeatedly getting ear infections due to excessively hairy ear canals, the excess hair will need to be plucked. The excess hair does not let the earwax and oils be removed naturally, causing a build-up and an infection will result.

Dog's that swim regularly or have access to lakes, ponds, rivers etc, will need to have their ears checked regularly to make sure that their ears are drying properly after swimming so that they don't get swimmer's ear. If you notice that your dog's ears are staying wet for long periods of time, you will have to take the time to dry the ears so that they don't become infected.

Be sure to be alert to signs of head shaking, excessive scratching about the ears, odor or discharge from the ears, redness or even possible deafness. These are all signs that your dog could be having ear problems. The sooner you identify the problem and take proper action, the less complicated the problem will be and your best friend will love you for your love and attention.