Ear infections are a common reason for dogs to visit our Orange Park vets. Thankfully, most ear infections in dogs are easy to treat if caught early. Here are some of the signs of dog ear infections, and what to do if your dog's ears aren't as healthy as they should be.
Your Dog's Ears
Because of the shape of their ear canals, dogs are more susceptible to ear infections than humans. If your dog swims frequently or has long floppy ears, he or she is more susceptible to ear infections because moisture can become trapped in the ear, creating an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive.
Having said that, with a little extra care you can help to prevent your pooch from developing ear infections.
If your pup does get an infection, by seeing a vet early there's a good chance that it can be cleared up quickly and easily. Left untreated ear infections in dogs can develop quickly and result in symptoms such as balance and coordination issues, pain, and in severe cases facial paralysis.
Causes of Dog Ear Infections
Although bacteria are the most common cause of ear infections in dogs, yeast, fungus, and ear mites can also cause your pup's ears to become infected and painful. Foreign objects in the ear, trauma and tumors or polyps are some of the other causes of dog ear infections.
There are three types of ear infections seen in dogs depending on where the infection has occurred;
- Otitis externa infections affect the outside of the ear. (Outer ear infection).
- Otitis media indicates an infection in the dog's middle ear. (Middle ear infection)
- Otitis interna which are infection of your pet's inner ear. (Inner ear infection)
Signs of Ear Infection in Dogs
Ear infections in dogs can be extremely painful or uncomfortable. If your dog exhibits any of the following symptoms of an ear infection, contact your veterinarian right away to schedule an examination. Early treatment of ear infections can help to prevent the development of more severe symptoms and reduce the likelihood of complications.
Common signs of ear infections in dogs include:
- Pawing or rubbing at the ear
- Brown, yellow or bloody discharge
- Odor in the ear
- Redness inside of the ear
- Head shaking
- Tilting head
- Crusts or scabs just inside the ear
- Swelling of the ear
If your dog's ear infection is more severe you may notice other symptoms such as:
- Indications of hearing loss
- Loss of coordination or balance
- Unusual eye movements
- Walking in circles
How to Treat an Ear Infection in Dogs
If your dog has an ear infection, your vet will clean it with a medicated cleanser and prescribe any antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications that are necessary to treat your pet's ear infection. Topical medication may also be prescribed by your veterinarian, along with instructions on how and when to apply it to your dog's ear at home.
In the early stages, treatment for an uncomplicated ear infection in dogs will typically clear up within just a week or two. If your dog's ear infection is more severe or is caused by an underlying health condition, treatment may be more challenging and may take months to resolve. In many cases, more severe cases result in chronic ear infections in dogs or repeated ear infections throughout the pet's lifetime.
Carefully following your veterinarian's instructions will be essential to clear up your dog's ear infection as quickly as possible. Not finishing prescriptions, or stopping treatment before the infection has completely cleared can lead to a recurring infection that becomes increasingly difficult to treat.
Follow-up appointments with your vet are highly recommended for dog ear infections. While it may look as if the infection has cleared there may still be traces of infection that are difficult for owners to spot. Finishing treatment before the infection has fully healed can lead to recurring symptoms that are difficult to treat.
Preventing Ear Infections in Dogs
When it comes to ear infections, our Orange Park veterinarians believe that prevention is always preferable to treatment. It is critical to keep your dog's ears clean and dry to prevent an ear infection.
Speak to your primary care veterinarian about the best cleaning solution to use for your dog's ears, take the time to gently clean your dog's ears every week, and always dry your dog's ears whenever they come out of the water.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.