Causes of Ear Infection is Dogs-Important!

*** Editor: My dog is recovering from a severe ear infection at this time. Somehow a "Foxtail-(Dry sharply pointed weed)" got into her ear and traveled all the way down to her eardrum. Lots of blackish discharge and a sore raw ear was the result. She's on antibiotic ointment right now. Always have your vet check to see if there's a foreign object in your dog's ear if the dog has an infection, shaking it's head and discharge is oozing out of the ear canal.

Dog Ear Infection - 3 Main Causes For Canine Ear Problems
By D. Thurmond, D.V.M.

If you own a floppy eared dog, chances are you have experienced problems with a canine ear Infection. This is one of the most common reasons cited by pet owners for a visit to their vet.

It is easy to understand why a dog with an earflap that covers the opening to the ear canal might have more frequent bacterial or yeast infections. The ear canal is prone to remaining moist and retaining wax in the dark when the ear is covered. A dog with ears that remain upright is less likely to develop a yeast infection in the ear but may suffer from canine ear problems caused by mites or bacteria breeding in wax buildup.

The painful problem has three main causes. An ear infection is uncomfortable and can be painful for your pet. He may repeatedly shake his head or may hold his head at a tilted angle in an attempt to relieve the pain. In extreme cases of dog ear infection the animal may scratch at his ears until they bleed.

Ear Mites

Both dogs and cats can be troubled with ear mites. Untreated, ear mites can lead to secondary infections and lead to damage of the ear. The parasites are visible under a microscope and burrow into the ear canal. The mites feed on debris and wax in the canal and cause the skin to become inflamed.

An infection can be treated with antibiotics prescribed by your vet. If ear mites are present a miticide will kill off the parasite. Miticides may be in the form of ear drops or powder inserted in the ear canal.

Infections

Dog ear infections originate as both bacterial and fungal or yeast. It's possible for your dog to have more than one type of infection present in his ear canal. Owners of Cocker Spaniels and Golden Retrievers quickly learn to keep their dog's ears clean and dry to avoid canine ear infections. Other breeds especially at risk of ear problems are Weimeraners, Rottweilers, Shar Peis and other dogs with ears that cover the entrance to the ear canal.

Both bacterial and fungal infections that lead to ear problems make themselves known by the foul odor emanating from the ear canal. In severe cases the pet owner may notice a fluid on the pinna.

Flushing and cleaning the ear canal is the first step in controlling a bacterial dog ear infection. Following the cleaning your vet will suggest a topical or perhaps a systemic antibiotic.

Antifungal topical and systemic products will help correct a yeast infection or kill other fungi present. Correcting dog ear problems can take time as the fungus or bacteria are gradually eliminated.

When the animal is free of infection, pet owners are advised to use a mild cleaning agent to keep the dog's ears free of wax, debris and parasites.

Harsh products containing chemicals will be painful when applied to the delicate skin. Environmentally safe dog products such as Zymox and Dermapet will not irritate damaged skin and cause pain for the animal.

Allergies

An allergy to fleas, gnats or other insects often results in irritation to the outer ear flap, the pinna. Other pet allergies can also cause problems even if the ear canal appears to be clean.

Food allergies, inhaled pollens and contact allergies may cause the ear flaps to become thickened and the skin to acquire a rough, leathery texture. This is usually accompanied by redness and an itching that can drive your dog to scratch his ears with a vengeance.

If your dog's ears seem to be bothering him or you notice redness or a change in the texture of his pinna, canine allergies may be present. The allergies are treated in the same way your vet controls allergies that cause skin irritation.

If flea allergy dermatitis is the problem, eliminating fleas is a logical step for pet owners and can be accomplished with topical or oral pet flea medicines. For contact or inhaled allergies, your veterinarian will recommend anti-inflammatory drugs such as antihistamines and corticosteroids. The steroidal drugs may also be used to temporarily ease swelling and discomfort when ear mites are diagnosed.

Infections can often be treated quickly and easily when they are in the initial stages. If infections or parasites have become well established, eliminating the problem is more difficult as the dog may develop a chronic problem.

If treatment is delayed for an extended period of time and standard antibiotics and treatments cannot gain control of the infection, surgery may be recommended as a last option to solve dog ear infections.

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