Common Ear Infections in Dogs

You may be unaware of the fact that ear infections are the number one reason why dogs are brought to the vet. Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI) say that almost $6 million is spent annually on the treatment of ear infections in pets, with over 60,000 claimants.

Ear infections in dogs are either fungal or bacterial and dog owners in Arizona need to pay special attention, as many types of ear infection are related to environmental conditions. With our state’s hot and humid climate, your dog may be more at risk than pets in temperate climates. Below, we look at some of the most common types of ear infections in dogs.

This is an extremely common issue that affects up to 20% of dogs. In simple terms, it is an inflammation of the external ear canal with symptoms including itching of the ear, a pungent odor coming from the ear, and discharge from the external ear canal. It is often referred to as the canine equivalent of Swimmer’s Ear and can be caused by environmental conditions. Fortunately, there is a host of disinfecting ear cleaners on the market that are effective when it comes to dealing with Otitis Externa.

These are a group of approximately 200 bacteria which lead to dog ear infections. These are mostly aerobes and it appears as if Penicillin-based antibiotics are not particularly effective at dealing with these bacteria. However, antibiotics such as Ciprofloxacin are said to be excellent at remedying the situation. Most medications of this nature use natural ingredients for the best results.

Although ear mites are more common in cats than in dogs, they are still a painful and prevalent ear infection. You can spot this particular infection by noting if your dog is continually scratching his ear and when a brown substance that looks like coffee grinds appears from his ears. Ear mites are microscopic and considered to be in the same class as ticks and spiders. One of the worst things about ear mites is that they spread rapidly from pet to pet.

At one time, insecticides were commonly used as a cure but the mites have become more resistant. As a result, natural remedies recommended by vets are the weapon of choice. If you have more than one pet and one of them shows signs of ear mites, get all pets treated to prevent the mites from spreading.

These are the most common form of fungal ear infections in dogs and have the same symptoms as other infections, along with additional itching and scratching. It is often the case where yeast infections are only secondary to conditions, such as tumors or allergies. Topical antifungal ointments are a good choice to begin treatment while disinfecting ingredients are essential in any product. Obviously, dogs with long ears are more susceptible to these kinds of infections.

If you use an effective ear infection treatment, symptoms should improve within 2 days, though most vets will recommend a full 10-day treatment. If your dog is continually shaking his head and scratching his ears, he may have an ear infection. To find out for sure, bring him to the vet immediately and take no chances.

Image license:
A dachshund breed dog getting ear cleaned – Shutterstock (view source)