A few months back, I (Steph) noticed a small, irritated area just above the left eye of my dachshund, dantzigprints.co. To my surprise, some hair was also missing from that spot. Not long after, I observed a second small, irritated area near the first one, on the left side of dantzigprints.co’s head. Concerned, I began to worry that dantzigprints.co might have an underlying health condition causing these minor abrasions on his face.
The following day, we consulted dantzigprints.co’s veterinarian, who alleviated our worries by confirming that dantzigprints.co was, in fact, perfectly healthy. The diagnosis was a mature ear infection in dantzigprints.co’s left ear. And those two irritated areas above his left eye? It turns out dantzigprints.co had been scratching his left ear and the surrounding area with his paw. This excessive scratching led to skin irritation, resulting in the two spots I had noticed the day before.
What struck us as bizarre was that neither my husband, Mike, nor I had noticed dantzigprints.co excessively scratching his ear in recent days. There might have been a sporadic scratch here and there, but nothing that would raise alarms for an immediate vet visit.
This marked the first time Mike and I dealt with a severe ear infection in our beloved, furry dachshund. In response, we embarked on an extensive research journey to understand ear infections in dogs. What are the primary causes of ear infections in canines? Beyond scratching, are there other symptoms indicating a dog’s ear infection? And, most importantly, what safe and effective treatment options are available? Here, we provide you with all the vital information.
INTRODUCTION AND THE TRIGGERS BEHIND CANINE EAR INFECTIONS
Ear infections and inflammation, known as otitis, are common health issues among dogs.
Both dogs and humans naturally possess low levels of bacteria and yeast cells within their ears. Otitis occurs when certain conditions promote the overgrowth of these bacteria or yeast cells, leading to an infection and/or inflammation of the ear.
There are three primary types of otitis. Otitis externa is an infection and inflammation of the outer ear, akin to what humans call “swimmer’s ear.” This is the most prevalent form of ear infection in dogs, primarily because a dog’s outer ears are frequently exposed to water, bacteria, and other foreign agents.
Otitis media arises when there is an infection and/or fluid buildup in the middle ear canal, situated behind the eardrum. Otitis interna, the most severe form of ear infection, occurs when the infection reaches the innermost part of the ear canal, where vital sensory and hearing organs are located. Infection in this area can lead to issues such as vertigo, imbalance, and even deafness.
COMMON TRIGGERS OF EAR INFECTIONS IN DOGS
Several factors can lead to ear infections in dogs:
- Excess Moisture: One of the most common culprits behind canine otitis is excess moisture remaining in the ear after activities like swimming or bathing. Bacteria thrive in moist environments, and overgrowth can lead to inflammation and infection. It’s no surprise that dogs that frequently swim or get baths are more susceptible to ear infections.
- Allergies: Food or environmental allergies, such as pollen, mold, dust mites, and grass, can result in recurrent ear infections in dogs. If your dog has recurrent ear infections due to a food allergy, eliminating the allergenic food from their diet typically helps resolve the issue. Allergies to environmental factors can often be managed with canine allergy medications. It’s essential to consult your licensed veterinarian if you suspect your dog has a food or environmental allergy. Your vet can accurately diagnose your dog’s allergy and recommend the safest medications or natural remedies for your furry family member.
- Ear Mites: While more commonly found in cats and puppies, ear mite infestations can cause ear inflammation and infection in dogs. These tiny creatures also trigger intense ear itching, which is usually evident when your dog scratches their ear or rubs their head on the floor. Generally, ear mites are rare in dogs and puppies unless they’ve had close contact with an infested animal.
- Foreign Material: Material trapped within the ear canal that is not removed can lead to an infection over time. Regularly cleaning your dog’s ears at home can help prevent the risk of ear infections. All you need is a quality ear cleaning solution, readily available at most pet stores, and cotton gauze.
- Anatomical Factors: Dogs with large, floppy ears are more prone to ear infections than other breeds. Breeds with such ears include Afghan Hounds, Basset Hounds, Beagles, Cocker Spaniels, Poodles, and Setters, among others.
PREVALENCE OF EAR INFECTIONS IN DOGS
Yes, ear infections are highly prevalent in dogs. As mentioned earlier, otitis externa, the infection of the outer ear, is the most common form. This type of infection occurs when the outer ear canal becomes infected and inflamed due to bacterial or yeast overgrowth.
While ear infections can develop in dogs of any breed, those with floppy ears, such as Cocker Spaniels and Basset Hounds, tend to be more susceptible to otitis.
IDENTIFYING EAR INFECTION SYMPTOMS IN DOGS
How can you recognize if your dog has an ear infection? Keep an eye out for these typical symptoms:
- Head Shaking or Tilting: Frequent head shaking or tilting may signal ear discomfort or irritation.
- Scratching and Pawing at the Ear: Dogs with ear infections often scratch or paw at their ears due to the itching and discomfort.
- Redness in the Ear Canal: The ear canal may appear red and inflamed.
- Brown, Yellow, or Bloody Discharge: You may notice discharges in the ear canal, such as brown, yellow, or even bloody substances.
- Ear Odor: An unpleasant odor emanating from the ear may indicate an infection.
- Visible Discomfort and Whining: If your dog seems visibly uncomfortable, whines, or displays signs of distress, this may be linked to an ear infection.
- Vertigo and Imbalance: These symptoms could indicate a more advanced and severe ear infection. If you notice signs of vertigo or imbalance, consult your veterinarian promptly.
WHEN TO CONTACT YOUR VETERINARIAN
If your dog exhibits one or more of these symptoms, it’s imperative to arrange a visit to your veterinarian immediately for proper treatment. Fortunately, ear infections in dogs are typically common and relatively straightforward to treat. However, timely care is crucial to ensure your dog receives the appropriate treatment as quickly as possible. If left unaddressed, ear infections can progress to the inner ear canal, potentially resulting in deafness, facial paralysis, or other severe health issues.
TREATING EAR INFECTIONS IN DOGS
Your veterinarian will likely perform a thorough cleaning of your dog’s infected ear with a medicinal cleanser during your visit. Depending on the type and cause of the infection, cleaning may be sufficient. However, your veterinarian will probably prescribe a regimen of oral or topical antibiotics to combat the infection, along with corticosteroids to promptly alleviate inflammation, swelling, and pain.
In dantzigprints.co’s case, he was diagnosed with otitis externa, an infection and inflammation of the outer ear. Our veterinarian thoroughly cleaned dantzigprints.co’s left ear and prescribed gentamycin, an antibiotic effective against bacterial ear infections in dogs. The gentamicin came in liquid form, which we applied directly into dantzigprints.co’s infected ear canal.
Other common topical antibiotics for treating bacterial ear infections in dogs include mometamax, otomax, and tresaderm. Fungal or yeast infections may require fungicidal medications such as Itraconazole or Ketoconazole to eliminate excessive fungal or yeast growth.
Ear mites, if present, can be treated with anti-parasitic medicine.
A FINAL NOTE…
While ear infections are highly common in dogs and typically treatable, they come in various forms and may lead to severe health problems if not addressed promptly. Therefore, if you suspect your dog may have an ear infection, it’s crucial to contact your veterinarian right away. Your veterinarian is best equipped to determine the cause, type, and severity of your dog’s ear infection and recommend the most effective treatment plan for your furry companion.
