Infected Ear
Dogs with ear infections are one of the most common problems we see, especially over spring and summer. They tend to be very painful for the dog, although they can be very good at hiding the pain.
What are the common signs of ear infections?
- Redness of the inside of the ear
- A bad smell coming from the ear
- The inner surface of the ear looking rough
- “Squelching” when the base of the ear is rubber
- Shaking the head or holding the head to one side
What causes ear infections?
Ear infections can be caused by a wide range of factors. The most common cause is allergic skin disease. Allergies in dogs tend to cause inflammation in the skin. That inflammation creates heat and moisture. Because the ear doesn’t ventilate very well, the heat and moisture provide the perfect breeding environment for yeast and bacteria.
Other common causes of ear infections include grass seeds, ear mites, polyps in the ear canal, and swimming in dirty water.
What do I do if I suspect my dog has an ear infection?
It is important that you don’t put anything down your dog’s ear unless you have been specifically told to by a vet. We often see people putting apple cider vinegar or betadine down the dog’s ear. These treatments have been shown to be ineffective, and can even cause permanent deafness if the eardrum has been damaged by the infection.
We strongly recommend a vet examination whenever an ear problem is suspected. The vet will look down the ear to check for grass seeds, ear mites, or other physical causes. They will also take a swab and examine it under a microscope to see what sort of infection is present, as this allows them to select the most appropriate medication.
Once the underlying cause has been discovered, the vet will also discuss ongoing care for the ears. We find for dogs with allergic skin disease, ear infections tend to recur on a regular basis. You vet can help you develop a management plan to help minimise the chance of another infection.
What about plucking hairs and regular ear cleaning?
Recent studies have shown that plucking hair around healthy ears leads to an increased risk of ear infections. This is because the plucking process can cause inflammation, which leads to infection. It may, however, help dogs with a pre-existing infection.
There is also an increased risk of ear infections when “normal” ears are cleaned on a regular basis. Our advice is to only clean your dog’s ears if instructed to by a vet as part of an ongoing maintenance program for problematic ears.
If you are concerned your dog may have an ear infection, please contact your vet promptly. It will save your dog a lot of pain, and early treatment tends to be easier and less expensive. You can book with us online HERE