Ear infections are a common problem in dogs and can range from mild irritation to a painful condition that needs veterinary treatment. Because dogs cannot tell us when their ears are bothering them, recognizing dog ear infection symptoms can help you know when something is wrong.
Ear infections can develop for several reasons, and different underlying problems can produce similar signs. A veterinary evaluation can identify the cause of your dog’s ear symptoms so the infection can be treated appropriately and contributing problems can be addressed.
Dog Ear Infection Symptoms
Most canine ear infections affect the external ear canal, a condition known as otitis externa. Inflammation within the ear canal can create an environment that allows yeast or bacteria to multiply, leading to infection. Less commonly, problems can involve the middle or inner ear, where they can cause more serious symptoms involving balance, hearing, or coordination.
Dog ear infection symptoms can affect one or both ears and may include:
- Frequent head shaking
- Scratching or pawing at the ear
- Rubbing the ear or side of the head against furniture, carpeting, or the floor
- Redness or swelling inside or around the ear
- An unpleasant odor from the ear
- Discharge or an unusual buildup of debris
- Sensitivity or pain when the ear is touched
- Holding the head differently or favoring one side
A dog with a painful ear may pull away when you touch the head or ears or become reluctant to have the area handled. If you notice signs of a possible ear infection, contact Schoolcraft Veterinary Clinic. Ear infections can be painful and should be evaluated so the cause can be identified and appropriate treatment started.
A persistent head tilt, difficulty walking, loss of balance, or unusual eye movements can indicate that a problem involves the middle or inner ear rather than only the external ear canal. These symptoms can occur with more serious ear disease and require immediate veterinary attention.
Why Do Dogs Develop Ear Infections?
Several factors can make a dog’s ears more susceptible to infection. Allergies, moisture, parasites, foreign material in the ear, and certain skin or medical conditions can cause irritation or inflammation within the ear canal. These changes can disrupt the normal environment of the ear and allow bacteria or yeast to multiply.
Some dogs may also be more prone to ear problems because of the shape of their ears or ear canals. Narrow or hairy ear canals and heavy, floppy ears can reduce airflow and retain moisture. These features do not necessarily cause an infection, but they can create conditions that make ear problems more likely.
Possible causes and contributing factors include:
- Environmental or food allergies
- Moisture after swimming or bathing
- Ear mites or other parasites
- Grass seeds, foxtails, or other foreign material that becomes lodged in the ear
- Excessive wax or debris
- Certain skin or medical conditions
- Changes within the ear canal caused by chronic inflammation
Understanding what contributed to an ear infection is particularly important when infections keep returning. Treating the infection can address the immediate problem, while identifying an underlying cause can help reduce the risk of another infection.
Why Does My Dog Keep Getting Ear Infections?
Repeated ear infections can be a sign that an underlying problem has not been fully addressed.
Allergies are one common reason dogs develop recurring ear problems. Environmental or food allergies can cause inflammation of the skin lining the ear canal. Once the ear becomes inflamed, secondary yeast or bacterial infections can develop more easily. In some dogs, recurring ear problems can be one of the first noticeable signs of an allergy.
Other underlying skin or medical conditions can also make ear infections more likely to return. In some dogs, repeated inflammation can eventually cause the ear canal to become thickened and narrowed, which can make recurring ear problems more difficult to manage.
If your dog repeatedly develops ear infection symptoms, treating each infection is important, but so is determining why the problem keeps coming back. Addressing an underlying condition can be an important part of reducing future infections.
Finding the Cause of a Dog’s Ear Infection
Redness, itching, odor, and discharge tell us that something is wrong, but they do not necessarily tell us what is causing the problem. That is why determining the cause is an important part of treating an ear infection.
Our veterinarian can use an otoscope to examine the ear canal and, when it can be seen, the eardrum. This can help identify inflammation, swelling, discharge, foreign material, and other changes within the ear.
A sample of material from the ear may also be examined under a microscope, a process called ear cytology. This can help determine whether yeast, bacteria, inflammatory cells, or parasites are present.
For dogs with severe or recurring ear disease, additional testing may sometimes be needed to identify the organisms involved or investigate an underlying condition.
Treating Dog Ear Infections
Treatment for a dog ear infection is based on the findings from the veterinary examination and diagnostic testing. Depending on the type and severity of the infection, the ears may need to be cleaned and medication may be prescribed to control bacteria or yeast, reduce inflammation, and relieve discomfort.
The condition of the ear canal and eardrum also affects which medications and cleaning products can be used safely. More severe or complicated infections may require additional treatment.
When allergies or another underlying condition are contributing to recurring infections, addressing that condition is also an important part of treatment. Otherwise, the infection may improve temporarily but continue to return.
Even when your dog’s ears begin to look and smell better, it is important to follow treatment instructions for the recommended length of time. A follow-up examination may be recommended to make sure the infection and inflammation have resolved.
Why Home Remedies Can Be Risky for an Infected Ear
A quick online search for dog ear infections produces plenty of suggestions for home remedies, including vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, oils, and over-the-counter ear products. The problem is that the symptoms you see at home do not reveal whether your dog has yeast, bacteria, parasites, a foreign object, significant inflammation, or another ear condition.
Putting the wrong substance into an already irritated ear can make the ear more uncomfortable. Some products can also be harmful if the eardrum is damaged.
Cleaning can be helpful for some ear conditions, but even cleaning is not appropriate in exactly the same way for every dog. If your dog’s ear is painful, red, has an unusual odor or discharge, or your dog is persistently shaking or scratching, it is better to have the ear evaluated before trying a new product or home treatment.
Why Early Treatment of Ear Infections Matters
Ear infections can become increasingly painful when they are allowed to continue. Persistent inflammation can also cause the ear canal to become thickened and narrowed over time, making chronic ear disease more difficult to manage.
Infection and inflammation can sometimes extend beyond the external ear canal into the middle ear. More advanced ear disease can affect hearing and, when structures involved in balance are affected, can lead to symptoms such as head tilt or difficulty walking.
Repeated head shaking and scratching can cause additional problems as well. Vigorous head shaking can sometimes damage small blood vessels in the ear flap and cause it to fill with blood, a condition called an aural hematoma.
Recognizing dog ear infection signs and seeking treatment early can help relieve discomfort and reduce the chance that a relatively straightforward ear problem becomes more complicated.
Reducing the Risk of Future Ear Infections
Not every ear infection can be prevented, particularly when a dog has allergies or another underlying condition. However, knowing what is normal for your dog’s ears can make it easier to notice changes.
Check your dog’s ears periodically for redness, unusual odor, discharge, or other changes. If your dog swims frequently or tends to develop ear problems after bathing, ask our veterinarians whether an ear-cleaning or drying routine would be appropriate.
More cleaning is not necessarily better. Excessive cleaning or using products that are not appropriate for your dog’s ears can cause irritation. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine provides additional information about safely cleaning your dog’s ears and notes that how often a dog’s ears should be cleaned depends on the individual dog’s needs.
Dogs that are prone to recurring infections may benefit from an individualized ear-care plan based on what is contributing to their problems. For dogs whose recurring ear infections are associated with allergies, managing the underlying allergy can also be an important part of reducing future infections.
When Your Dog’s Ear Symptoms Need Veterinary Attention
An occasional scratch at the ear or shake of the head does not necessarily mean your dog has an ear infection. However, repeated head shaking or scratching, redness, odor, discharge, swelling, or signs of pain should be evaluated by a veterinarian.
A persistent head tilt, difficulty walking, loss of balance, or unusual eye movements can indicate a problem involving the middle or inner ear and require immediate veterinary attention.
If you notice dog ear infection symptoms, contact Schoolcraft Veterinary Clinic to schedule an appointment. Identifying the cause allows our veterinarians to provide appropriate treatment, relieve your dog’s discomfort, and address underlying problems that could contribute to recurring infections.
