Dogs’ ears help them navigate the world. Your pet’s sense of hearing is vital to help them detect danger and communicate with you. But when something goes wrong with their ears, it can lead to pain and discomfort. 

One of the most common issues your pet may face is a dog ear infection. This is a health condition that can affect your dog’s everyday life. And when the infection is left untreated, it may lead to total hearing loss and balance issues.

To help prevent dog ear infections from harming your companion’s health, you must understand the causes, signs to watch out for, and what you can do to protect your dog.

What Is an Ear Infection in Dogs?

Ear infection in dogs happens when bacteria, yeast, or parasites like ear mites go into the ear canal, which causes it to be inflamed. If your dog doesn’t receive treatment, the infection can worsen and may cause painful symptoms. 

In most cases, dog ear infections start in the outer ear and can go deeper into the middle or inner ear. When this happens, your dog may suffer from hearing loss, especially if you don’t get them checked by a vet.

Types of Dog Ear Infections

There are three main types of dog ear infections that you must know. Depending on the location of the infection, you’ll know how severe the problem is. 

1. Otitis Externa (Outer Ear Infection)

   This is the most common type of ear infection in dogs. Breeds with big, floppy ears or dogs that frequently swim often get this type of infection. Otitis externa are usually caused by moisture or bacteria in the ear canal.

   
   

2. Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infection)

   An outer ear infection that’s left untreated can spread into the middle ear, causing more serious problems. Your dog might experience balance issues and pains. When your dog’s infection goes to this stage, they’ll need more intensive treatments.

   
   

3. Otitis Interna (Inner Ear Infection)

   This is the most serious form of ear infection and can cause severe issues, including hearing loss. When an infection reaches the inner ear, it can affect balance and cause nausea.

What Causes Dog Ear Infections?

Different factors can cause dog ear infections. Some reasons can easily be prevented. While others might be unavoidable, they can still be managed with early detection and treatments. Here are some of the common causes of ear infections in dogs.

1. Bacterial Infections

   Bacteria love moist environments, and your dog’s ears are the perfect places where these harmful bacteria can live and multiply. After your dog takes a bath or swims, water can get trapped in their ears and may lead to an infection. 

   
   

2. Yeast Infections

   Similar to bacteria, yeast also thrives in moist environments. They are common in dogs with big, floppy ears and those that swim often. A yeast infection in your dog’s ears will make them smell musty or moldy.

   
   

3. Ear Mites

   Ear mites are a type of parasite in dogs that can make their ears severely itchy and irritated. These tiny bugs can easily spread to other pets. It’s important that you monitor your dog whenever they’re outdoors and socializing to prevent getting ear mites.

   
   

4. Allergies

   In some cases, your dog’s ear infection can be caused by an allergy. It could be a food allergy or a reaction to environmental allergens. Allergies can make your dog’s ears inflamed, making them vulnerable to infections.

   
   

5. Objects and Injuries

   Debris, dirt, or even tiny toys might find their way into your dog’s ear canals and cause irritation and infection. When your dog’s ears become itchy, they may continuously scratch until their ears get injured, potentially leading to infection.

There may be other reasons that can cause ear infections in dogs. However, the symptoms may still have similarities, so it’s important to know the signs that will help you get prompt care for your dog.

Symptoms of Ear Infections in Dogs

Knowing the signs of an ear infection in your dog is essential for early detection. When you immediately notice the symptoms, you can get your dog treated as soon as possible. 

Early Signs

• Head shaking and ear scratching

• Rubbing ears on furniture or on the floor

Advanced Symptoms

• Redness and swelling

• Brown, yellow, or green discharge

• Pungent, unpleasant order from the ears

• Discomfort or pain when ears are touched

Serious Symptoms

• Head tilting

• Trouble walking

• Disorientation

Before the ear infection symptoms become advanced or serious signs, take your dog to the vet as soon as possible. If your pet is already showing severe symptoms, call the emergency vet clinic for urgent care.

How Do Vets Diagnose Ear Infections?

Once you notice symptoms of an ear infection, taking your dog to the vet must be your priority. Your vet will do a series of diagnostic tests to help determine the cause of the infection. If it’ll be your first time taking your dog to the vet for an ear checkup, here’s what usually happens.

The Diagnosis Process

• Physical examination – The vet will first inspect your dog’s ears using an otoscope, a tool that can look into the ear canal. They will check for signs of swelling, discharge, or redness.

  
  

• Swabbing samples – If your dog has ear discharge, your vet will swab a sample to be checked for any presence of parasites, yeast, or bacteria.

  
  

• Advanced testing – In more serious conditions, a vet may recommend further testing like X-rays or cultures to know the exact cause of the infection.

Dog ear infections may have different causes, so the diagnostic tests may vary for different dogs. The important thing is that you can bring your dog immediately to the vet when you notice anything unusual with their ears so they can get treated as soon as possible.

Treatment Options for Dog Ear Infections

Treating ear infections is easy once your vet diagnoses your dog, as long as the problem has not progressed into something too severe. If it does, your canine companion may need more intensive treatments.

• Ear cleaning – Your vet will clean your ears to remove excess wax and debris. You may also do this step using the cleaning solution your vet prescribes.

  
  

• Topical medications – After the wax and debris are removed, topical medications can now be used. These medicines can be in the form of ear drops or ointments that may target the yeast or bacteria that are causing the infection. 

  
  

• Oral medications – If the infection has already spread to the middle or inner ear, your vet may prescribe oral antifungals or antibiotics.

  
  

• Surgery – Sometimes, ear infections may require surgery. For example, if there’s severe damage or injury that can’t be treated with topicals or oral medicines, your dog may need surgery.

  
  

• Follow-up care – During and after the treatment plan your vet has created for your dog, it’s important to follow the instructions given. Be sure to take your dog back to the clinic for a follow-up consultation with the vet to see if the infection has cleared up or worsening.

For mild cases, your vet may only prescribe medications and give instructions for you to care for your dog at home. Just remember to follow your vet’s directions. 

How to Prevent Ear Infections in Dogs

Prevention is always better than treatment, so it’s better to keep your dog’s ears healthy and infection-free. You only need to remember a few points to take care of your dog’s ears.

First, you must keep your pet’s ears clean and dry. When moisture builds up in the ears, it will create an environment for bacteria and yeast to thrive. Cleaning your dog’s ears will require proper tools and gentle ear cleaning solutions approved by your vet. You must also learn how to correctly clean dog ears to avoid further injury or damage.

Next, always keep your surroundings clean to eliminate allergens or parasites that can get into your dog’s ears. Sanitizing your home and being aware of the outdoor areas your dog goes to can significantly help reduce the chances of ear infections.

Finally, you must not skip out on your dog’s vet checkup schedules. It may be advisable to take your dog to the vet for routine health checks once or twice a year. You can do it more frequently if your pet’s risk of getting an infection is high.

Conclusion

Dog ear infections are common and can become severe when left untreated. Luckily, most causes of infections are preventable. With proper pet care and knowledge, you can identify ear infections early so your dog can get immediate treatments from the vet.

In cases where your dog’s ear infection has become too serious, you could call emergency vets to get urgent pet medical care. Proactive pet ownership will help prevent infections from getting worse or leading to complete hearing loss.