EAR INFECTIONS IN DOGS & THEIR MANAGEMENT
Dr. Santosh Giri
B.V.Sc & A.H.
Veterinary Officer
Ghazipur
Ear infections are very common in dogs and cats! Some easy-to-notice signs of an ear infection are scratching/rubbing their ears, head shaking, loss of balance, and odors or discharge from the ear.
There are many possible causes of ear infections, such as allergies or ear mites, but the most common cause is yeast.
If you notice your pet showing any of these symptoms, call your pet Doctor & for management purpose follow the following tips.
Ear infections are one of the most common medical issues for dogs, and they can present concerning symptoms. Luckily, most canine ear infections clear up easily with treatment.
Many dog owners have learned to recognize the signs of an ear infection: whining, scratching, and head shaking are often the first symptoms of the problem.
Ear infections are common conditions in dogs, especially those with floppy ears such as Basset Hounds and Cocker Spaniels. An estimated 20 percent of dogs have some form of ear disease, which may affect one or both ears. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce the length and severity of these episodes for your dog.
There are three types of ear infections, known formally as otitis externa, media, and interna. The most common is otitis externa, in which inflammation affects the layer of cells lining the external portion of the ear canal. Otitis media and interna refer to infections of the middle and inner ear canal, respectively. These infections often result from the spread of infection from the external ear. Otitis media and interna can be very serious and may result in deafness, facial paralysis, and vestibular signs. That’s why it’s important to prevent infections and seek early treatment when problems arise.
Symptoms of Dog Ear Infections——–
Some dogs show no symptoms of ear infection aside from a buildup of wax and discharge in the ear canal. But ear infections often cause significant discomfort and affected dogs may show signs such as:
The symptoms of ear infections in dogs range from mild to complicated, especially if treatment isn’t pursued immediately.
Since ear infections are generally uncomfortable, even painful, you will probably see behaviors in your dog that include:
• Scratching at the ears
• Rubbing ears on the ground or furniture
• Shaking the head
• Tilting the head to one side frequently
If you look at the ear, you may discover the following:
• Redness
• Inflammation
• Crusting
• Hair loss
• An unpleasant odor
• Discharge that is black or yellow in color
As the condition worsens, you may notice the following signs in your dog:
• Loss of balance
• Walking in circles
• Hearing loss
If you see any of these signs in your dog, it is time to call the veterinarian for an examination and possible treatment plan.
What Causes Ear Infections in Dogs?
The canine ear canal is more vertical than that of a human, forming an L-shape that tends to hold in fluid. This makes dogs more prone to ear infections. Ear infections are typically caused by bacteria, yeast, or a combination of both. In puppies, ear mites can also be a source of infection.
Factors that may predispose your dog to ear infections include:
• Moisture, which can create a prime growing environment for bacteria and yeast
• Allergies, which lead to ear disease in about 50 percent of dogs with allergic skin disease and 80 percent of dogs with food sensitivities
• Endocrine disorders, such as thyroid disease
• Autoimmune disorders
• Wax buildup
• Foreign bodies
• Injury to the ear canal
• Excessive cleaning
Precise Diagnosis Needed for a Dog’s Ear Infections
If your dog is showing any of the common signs of ear infections, it’s important to visit your veterinarian as soon as possible. Quick treatment is necessary not only for your dog’s comfort (these conditions can be painful!), but also to prevent the spread of infection to the middle and inner ear. Do not try to treat ear problems at home.
Be prepared to provide your vet with a thorough history of the problem. This is especially important for first-time infections, or if you are seeing a new veterinarian. Your vet will want to know the following:
• Duration of any symptoms, such as pain, swelling, discharge, and odor
• If your dog has any allergies or other underlying medical conditions
• If your dog is on medication
• What your dog has been eating
• How often you clean your dog’s ears and which products you use
• If you’ve trimmed or plucked the hair in your dog’s ears
• Recent activities, such as baths, grooming, or swimming
• If your dog has a history of ear infections, when they occurred, and how they were treated
After obtaining your dog’s history, your veterinarian will perform a physical examination. In severe cases, your vet may also recommend sedating your dog to facilitate examination deep within the ear canal. Your vet will evaluate both ears, and the exam may include:
• Visual assessment to look for signs such as redness, swelling, and discharge
• Examination with an otoscope, which allows evaluation of the ear canal and eardrum
• Gentle palpation of the ear to assess level of pain
• Microscopic examination of samples taken by swabbing the ear
• Culture of samples from the ear
• Biopsies or X-rays in severe or chronic cases
How are Dog Ear Infections Treated?
Your veterinarian will thoroughly clean your dog’s ears using a medicated cleaner. Your vet may also prescribe a cleaner and a topical medication for you to use at home. In severe cases, your vet may prescribe oral antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medications.
Most uncomplicated ear infections resolve within 1–2 weeks, once appropriate treatment begins. But severe infections or those due to underlying conditions may take months to resolve, or may become chronic problems. In cases of severe chronic disease where other treatments have failed, your veterinarian may recommend surgery such as a Total Ear Canal Ablation (TECA). A TECA surgery removes the ear canal, thus removing the diseased tissue and preventing the recurrence of infection.
Can You Prevent Ear Infections in Dogs?
Prevention Of Ear Infections In Dogs
The easiest way to treat an ear infection in your dog is to prevent one from occurring in the first place. As with most diseases, prevention is always best. Excess moisture is a common cause of ear infections, so be sure to thoroughly dry your dog’s ears after swimming and bathing. If your dog is prone to chronic or recurrent ear infections, identifying and managing any underlying causes such as allergies can help prevent new infections from occurring.
You can do much to assist the prevention process by giving your pet a weekly ear cleaning. This is especially important if your dog has long, floppy ears, lots of hair inside the ears, or suffers from another condition like seasonal allergies.
Dogs with hairy ears can also have the area trimmed or plucked regularly by a groomer to prevent problems.
Your veterinarian can recommend an ear cleansing solution. You can use this on your pet every week to keep the area clean and free of debris and bacteria.
While this may seem like a traumatic process to put you and your pet through every week, most veterinarians agree that the more regularly you perform these cleanings, the easier it will get as your pet gets used to having their ears handled in this manner.
If your pet is suffering from chronic ear infections, or has another condition that prompts these infections, weekly maintenance and preventative care will go far towards keeping your dog healthy and happy.
Reference:On request
