Dog ear mite infections

Dog ear infections are very common.  Occasionally they are caused by ear mite infestations.  Ear mites are actually fairly rare problems in dogs these days, and dogs actually get the Cat Ear Mite, Otodectes cyanotis.  Dogs also get the cat flea Ctenocephalides felis: no wonder dogs and cats don't always get on!

Anyway, back to ear mites.  Mites are rarely the cause of dog ear problems, but people often think they are.  Many people spend a lot of money using ineffective ear mite drops in their dogs ears when their dog actually has a bacterial or yeast infection.  For this reason, its important to take your dog to the vet if their ear is is itchy and red, and especially if there is pain, smell and discharge (gunk or fluid in the ear).

Ear mites are little 8-legged critters that live in ears.  They are tiny, and you won't be able to see them just looking.  The vet will use and otoscope to look in your dog's ear and take a sample to look at under the microscope if they suspects ear mites.  In many cases the vet will rule out ear mites just by looking at the ear without taking a sample, as ear mites produce a very characteristic type of inflammation and discharge, which has been described as waxy and coffee-ground like.

If it is ear mites, thats actually good news as ear mites are very easy to treat..... but not with ear mite drops.

Drops often fail in treating ear mites as the mites can live on the head as well as in the ear, so the mites just return when you stop putting the drops in.

Far more effective are spot-on products like Advocate or Revolution: these both contain an ingredient which kills the mites with a single dose.  I reccommend pets use a course of 3 monthly doses to prevent reinfection, as the mites may survive in the environment.  Its vital that all in-contact pets, especially cats are treated as ear mites are highly contagious.

Ear drops are often still required as the ear may be very itchy and may have a secondary infection, which won't impove with the spot-on products.

More commonly, there are no mites, just a bacterial or yeast infection, and drops supported by a cleaning regime will be the best treatment.

Read more about Ear Mites below.

Ear Mites

Signs, Diagnosis and Treatment of Ear Mites

From Lianne McLeod, DVM, former About.com Contributing Writer

See More About:

• ear mites
• ear infections

Image (taken through microscope) of ear mites sampled from a cat's ear.

Credit: Wikimedia Commons / Caroldermoid

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Ear mites are tiny parasites that live out their life cycle mostly inside the ear canal. They are quite common, and can cause severe irritation and itchiness of the ears.

The most common ear mite of cats and dogs is Otodectes cynotis, and therefore an infestation with ear mites is sometimes called "otodectic mange."

Cause
Ear mites primarily live in the ear canal, where they feed on skin debris. Their presence causes inflammation, and can also lead to secondary ear infections.

Eggs are laid in the ear, and it takes about 3 weeks for eggs to hatch and develop into adult mites that can reproduce.

While ear mites are generally found in the ears, they can also wander out onto the body, causing irritation and itchiness of the skin as well.

Risk Factors
Cats are more commonly affected than dogs. Ear mites are spread mostly by direct contact with another animal that has ear mites (they are commonly seen in outdoor cats). They are especially common in young animals.

Signs and Symptoms of Ear Mites

• head shaking
• scratching at ears
• dark waxy or crusty discharge from the ears (looks a bit like coffee grounds)
• sometimes there will be scratching or irritation of other parts of body

Diagnosis of Ear Mites
The diagnosis of ear mites is confirmed when ear mites are found in a sample of the ear discharge examined under a microscope. Sometimes the mites can even be seen as little white specks moving around in the ear (when using a magnifying scope to examine the ear). Confirming the presence of the mites is necessary to distinguish ear mites from other ear infections.

Treating Ear Mites
There are several alternatives for treating ear mites, and your veterinarian will recommend a treatment protocol for your pet. Over the counter medications are often less effective or require extended treatment times compared to medications prescribed by your vet, especially the newer medications that require a single application to be effective.

First, a thorough cleaning of the ears can help clear the discharge to help calm the irritation and remove some of the mites. This can be followed up in several ways:

• one-time treatments applied to the ear: medications such as Acarexx® or Milbemite® (cats only)
• one time treatments applied to the skin: medications such as Revolution® or Advantage Multi® (these are typically used as monthly parasite control medications; a single dose usually takes care of an ear mite infection but you may consider using them monthly to prevent reinfection and control other pests)
• repeated treatments applied to the ear: e.g. Tresaderm®. It is important to strictly follow your vet's recommended dosage schedule for successful treatment of ear mites (usually twice daily treatments for a week or more). Though more time-consuming to apply (and can be difficult with uncooperative patients), Tresaderm® does have the advantage of containing medications to calm inflammation and treat secondary bacterial or yeast infections.
• injectable ivermectin can also be used (this is an off-label usage for ear mites, and care must be taken as some breeds of dogs are sensitive to ivermectin)

All pets in the home should be treated at the same time, even if they are not showing symptoms.

Ear mites do not survive for long on humans so do not cause long term infections in people. Rarely, however, they will transiently hang out on humans, and may cause a short-lived but very itchy rash.

Please note: this article has been provided for informational purposes only. If your pet is showing any signs of illness, please consult a veterinarian as quickly as possible.

 

Middle and inner dog ear infections

Dog ear infections can affect the external ear canal (otitis externa) the middle ear (otitis media) or the inner ear (otitis interna).  The vast majority of dog ear infections only affect the external ear, which is a good thing, because middle and ear infections are much more serious, are harder to treat and can result in very serious complications and often recur.

Most middle and inner ear infections start from severe or long term external ear infections, which is another reason (do you need more, other than your dog is in pain!!!) to check your dogs ears regularly and maintain a hygine regime, and see the vet immediately if there is signs of infection.

dog ear vet

Learn more about middle and inner ear infections in dogs by reading on below.

The middle and inner ear of dogs and cats is separated from the external ear by the ear drum. It is not possible to see the middle or the inner ear unless the eardrum has been ruptured. Infections or problems in the middle or inner ear require prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent permanent damage and deafness. The middle and inner ear coordinate hearing and control balance. Therefore, problems in this area often show up as hearing loss or can include a loss of balance or other neurological problems. Fortunately, if caught early, most middle and inner ear infections can be treated successfully. What is the cause of middle ear infections? Most cases of middle and inner ear infections in dogs and cats are caused by an extension of an infection in the outer ear. Staph, Strep, and Pseudomonas bacteria or Malassezia or Candidayeast are often isolated as the infectious agents. Less commonly bacterial infections may ascend from the oral cavity through the auditory tube and into the ear. What are the symptoms? The symptoms for middle and inner ear infections are often similar to outer ear infections and include pain in the ear, head shaking, infected or bloody discharge, and scratching or pawing at the head or ear. As the infection in the middle ear progresses, the dog may also have facial paralysis on the infected side due to theinflammation of the facial nerve that runs adjacent to the middle ear. Signs of facial paralysis include difficulty swallowing, drooping eyelids and facial muscles, and a third eyelid that moves up and partially covers the eye. As the infection progresses to the inner ear, the symptoms will include a loss of balance, a downward head tilt, and even circling. How is it diagnosed? Middle and inner ear infections are diagnosed with a thorough otoscopic exam and x-rays of the head. Animals usually need to be anesthetized so that they can be properly examined and so that the ear can be flushed and treated. A ruptured eardrum or an eardrum that is discolored and bulging with fluid is an indicator of a middle and possibly inner ear infection. Most cases of middle and inner ear infections usually have signs of an outer ear infection as well, but not always. Treatment Treatment varies depending on the severity of the disease. In mild infections, oral or injectable antibiotics in combination with topical antibiotics and antifungal agents are often used. In more severe or chronic cases, the eardrum may need to be surgically incised and the middle ear flushed and treated. In some cases, more invasive surgery including removal of part of the bony covering of the ear (bulla) through a lateral or ventral bulla osteotomy may need to be performed. In very severe cases, complete removal and closure of the entire ear canal (total ear ablation) may be necessary. In cases where tumors, feline polyps, allergies, or other factors contribute to the cause of the infection, they must also be properly identified and treated for the entire treatment to be successful. Prevention While not all middle and inner ear problems can be prevented, the vast majority of them can. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of the more common outer ear infections will prevent most middle and inner ear infections. Controlling ear mites and allergies, along with good routine ear cleaning and care are the key to preventing all ear infections.

References and Further Reading

Feldman, E; Ettinger, S. Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine. W.B. Saunders Co. Philadelphia, PA; 2000. Greene, C. Infectious Diseases of the Dog and Cat. W.B. Saunders Co. Philadelphia, PA; 1998.

dog ear infection complications: aural haematoma

Dog ear infections can become severe if left alone, and even cause other problems.  One common complication of dog ear infections is an aural haematoma.  An aural haematoma is like a big blood blister in the ear of a dog.  It often results from the dog scratching at its ears and shaking its head, as it does with an ear infection.  Sometimes, it occurs from another injury, and sometimes there isn't an obvious cause.

Aural haematomas start off small, often only 1/4 of the ear.  They frequently grow, especially if the dog keeps shaking its head.  Aural haematomas are normally treated surgically under anaesthetic by removing the blood and stitching the two sides of the ear flap together.  WIthout these stitches, the blood would just fill the ear again.

Its very important to check the ears thoroughly and rule out an ear infection as if this isn't treated properly there may be further complications.

This article on aural haematomas shows a good picture of a large haematoma on a dog.

Dog Vet

Aural haematomas in dogs - ears

An aural (ear) haematoma is a collection of blood or serum, and sometimes a blood clot within the pinna or ear flap. This blood collects under the skin and causes the ear flap to become thickened. The swelling may involve the entire ear flap or it may involve only a small area.

Normal Canine Ear

How does an aural haematoma occur?

Aural haematomas usually occur as a result of local irritation to some part of the ear. When something irritates the ear canal, a dog is likely to respond by scratching or shaking the head. Excessive shaking causes blood vessels to break, resulting in bleeding. An understanding of the ear's anatomy makes the sequence of events more logical.

Understanding ear anatomy

The ear flap is composed of a layer of skin on each side of a layer of cartilage. The cartilage gives the ear flap its shape. Blood vessels go from side-to side by passing through the cartilage. Violent shaking causes the vessels to break as the skin slides across the cartilage.

How are aural haematomas treated?

The first aim of treatment is to drain the haematoma to relieve the pressure and pain associated with the build up of fluid within the ear flap. This is achieved under general anaesthesia where either a single incision or multiple small biopsy holes are made on the inner surface of the ear. The blood is drained and the ear flushed to remove any remaining blood clots. These holes are left open to allow continued drainage of fluid whilst waiting for the ear flap to heal.

Reattachment of the ear cartilage is encouraged with the use of multiple sutures placed through the ear flap (with or without the use of a support to maintain the normal architecture of the ear) and these sutures are left in place for 3 weeks. The specific method used will depend on the size, age and position of the haematoma.

The second major aspect of treatment is to work out why the haematoma formed in the first place. As mentioned, above, any reason that causes the dog to shake its head can result in the formation of an aural haematoma. Some things which can cause this include:

1. Grass seed or other foreign body lodged within the ear canal.
2. Ear infection.
3. Allergies resulting in an itchy ear, scratching and shaking head.
4. Fly bites to the tips of the ears.
5. Immune mediated disease.

It is essential that the cause of the problem be identified and treated if possible. If a foreign body is found, it is removed. If an ear infection is identified, the ear canal will be thoroughly cleaned during anaesthesia and appropriate medical ointments or medications will be dispensed.

Unfortunately, it is not always possible to identify a cause, or it is difficult to manage the underlying cause (eg allergies). In these cases, another aural haematoma may form in the same ear or in the other ear and management may require long term medications.

Aural haematoma - showing swelling of the pinna

 

Once my dog is treated will I need to bring him/her back to the vet for further treatment?

The sutures will need to be removed 3 weeks after surgery. At this time, a haematoma is usually healed. If an infection is also being treated your veterinarian will also check to make sure that the infection is gone. It is vitally important that the infection is successfully treated to prevent further head shaking which may result in further haematomas.

What happens if your dog does not have surgery?

If a haematoma is left untreated the blood in the ear flap will separate into serum and a clot and will gradually be absorbed over a period of 10 days to 6 weeks. This is an uncomfortable time for your dog and unfortunately some scarring will take place during this process. It also causes a deformity of the ear flap resulting in a "cauliflower ear" which may cause further problems.

Dog Ear Infections: Do your dogs ears smell?

Do your dogs ears smell?

Dog ear infections are very common and often the first sign is a smelly, itchy or red ear.  If the infection is worse, there is often pain and a discharge which may be foul smelling.  Learn how to identify these problems early and treat dog ear infections before they turn into something more serious.

Dog Vet

 

Dog Ear Infections: Outer, Middle and Inner ear infections

Dog ear infections most commonly start as infections of the outer ear, but if neglected they can spread into the middle and inner ear.  this often involves damage to the eardrum.  For this reason, its vital to get your vet to make sure the ear drum is intact before you consider using chemicals in the your dogs ears.  This article "Otitis externa, otitis media, and otitis interna   "  gives a good explanation of how a simple dog ear infection can turn into something much more serious.

Dog Vet

Otitis externa, otitis media, and otitis interna     
Ear infection, inflammation of the external ear canal, middle ear infection, inner ear infection

Affected Animals 
Dogs and cats. Cocker spaniels and other long-eared or floppy-eared breeds may be more predisposed to developing infections.

Overview
An ear infection, or otitis, is an inflammation of the outer, middle, or inner ear canal. Most frequently, a dog will develop otitis in the outer ear that may worsen and spread into the middle ear. Once in the middle ear canal, the inflammation can move into the inner ear -- or, in cases in which the otitis has originated in the middle ear, the infection can instead progress outward to the external ear.

Otitis can be caused by a tremendous array of factors, including fleas, excess liquid in the ear from swimming, autoimmune diseases, skin parasites, and excess wax production. Generally, dogs that develop ear infections have reddened ears that are painful to the touch and ooze a foul-smelling liquid. A punctured eardrum is not an uncommon result of a middle ear infection, and the more severe cases of otitis can lead to partial deafness, lack of balance, nausea and vomiting, and problems with the nerves of the eye.              

Clinical Signs
Clinical signs can vary depending on the severity and location of the infection, but typical symptoms of otitis include pain and erythema of the pinna, head shaking and scratching of the ears, and purulent and malodorous exudate coming from the ear canal. The animal may tilt the affected ear downwards and may roll or lean to the affected side. If both sides are affected, the animal may be deaf or ataxic. Some animals may be nauseated, vomit, and have Horner's syndrome. Any neurological clinical signs indicate significant middle ear or inner ear disease. 

Symptoms
Ears that are red, painful to the touch, and produce a foul-smelling discharge are symptomatic of otitis. Typically, a dog with an ear infection will scratch and shake the ears or may tilt the affected ear downwards. Animals that are affected more severely may show some neurological signs such as rolling or leaning to one side. If both ears are affected, the animal may be deaf or off balance and uncoordinated. Some animals may be nauseated and vomit. Also, some dogs may get a condition called Horner's syndrome in which the pupils are sized differently and the nictitating membrane is raised. This condition indicates that a nerve has been affected by the inflammation from the middle ear. Any neurological clinical signs indicate significant middle ear or inner ear disease. 

Description
Typically, ear infections begin with otitis externa and then progress deeper into the canal to the middle ear. When the inflammation in this region of the ear is chronic, the eardrum may rupture and the infection may spread to the inner ear -- or, the infection may begin in the middle ear and progress outward to the external ear. Of the three types of otitis, infections in the inner ear are often the most severe and can lead to partial deafness and neurological problems.

In serious cases of otitis, the skin begins to form into folds in which the infection can become trapped, making cleaning and use of topical treatments very difficult. In addition, in cases of otitis interna, the skin will secrete more wax and debris that allows yeast and bacteria to overgrow, causing further disease. Severe inflammation leads to permanent skin thickening, mineralization, and narrowing of the ear canals. Once this occurs, the only viable treatment will be surgical removal of part or all of the ear canal.                

Diagnosis
The veterinarian will make a diagnosis based on the clinical signs, physical exam findings, and through the use of several other diagnostic tools. One such tool is cytology, which involves taking a swab of the ears and looking at the material collected under a microscope for the presence of bacteria, yeast, mites, and other substances that might cause an infection. Bacteria and yeast are normally present in low numbers in all dogs' ears, but a large presence will lead to an ear infection.

Skin biopsies may be needed to determine any diseases such as an autoimmune disorder that could cause a skin abnormality affecting the ear. Skin scrapings may be needed to detect mites, tiny parasites that can infect the ears and cause skin diseases. X-rays of the skull can be used to examine the middle and inner ear for signs of disease. In addition, cultures of an infected ear help determine the presence and type of bacteria, as well as antibiotics that are appropriate for treatment. The majority of animals with ear problems have such pain in their ears that they cannot withstand having them examined, cleaned, cultured, or x-rayed without the use of general anesthesia.             

Prognosis
With proper treatment, otitis externa usually will resolve within three to four weeks, although it may recur in certain animals. The prognosis is good for otitis media and otitis interna since medical treatment usually is effective. The key for long-term success is correcting or treating the underlying problem that led to the development of the otitis.  

Transmission or Cause
Possible causes of otitis externa, which may lead to infections of the middle and inner ear, include excess moisture in the ears due to swimming or bathing; inappropriate treatment or cleaning of the ears such as may be caused by the use of cotton-tipped applicators; excess wax production in the ears; an underlying disease; or a foreign body that is obstructing the ear canal. Additionally, otitis externa can be caused by a host of parasites, including ear mites, mange, fly bites, and fleas. Allergies and illnesses such as autoimmune diseases may also lead to otitis. The most common cause of the development of otitis media and otitis interna is a bacterial infection resulting from otitis externa.  

Treatment
After the cause of the otitis has been diagnosed, the veterinarian usually will perform a thorough cleaning of the ear canals while the dog is under sedation or general anesthesia. The use of topical medications, which are placed into the ear canal, is often very beneficial in killing yeast, bacteria, and mites. Oral medications also may be used in conjunction with other treatments to help kill bacteria, yeast, and mites. The veterinarian will teach the dog's owner how to clean and medicate the ears properly to ensure successful treatment of otitis.

The surgical correction of the ear canals may be necessary in cases of severe infection. One type of surgery, called a lateral ear canal resection, allows the ear to drain more easily, decreases the amount of humidity in the ear, and makes topical treatments easier to apply. A total ear canal ablation -- a complete removal of the ear canal -- is performed on dogs with severe, chronic ear disease that is nonresponsive to medical therapy.           

Prevention
Prevention is best accomplished when the veterinarian is able to determine the underlying factors that can lead to development of otitis. Proper cleaning of the ears is also critical. A veterinarian can explain how to clean the ears, as well as how to apply any medications that have been prescribed to treat the otitis.

Dog Ear Infections: what do they look like inside the ear?

Dog Ear Infections vary form mild to severe and have many causes.  To your average owner, these all look the same, but your vet has the skills, experience and equipment to locate the cause and assess the severity of the problem.

Morris Animal Hospital has a great web page showing just what infected, dirty, hairy and blocked ears look like inside.

Very interesting stuff.

Dog Vet

Dermatology and Diseases of the Ear 
Otoscope Case Examples

A normal canine eardrum.  The eardrum is located 3 inches deep in the canal in large dogs.  Note the eardrum (green) and the small amount of wax adhered to the normal tuft of hair that frequently grows next to the eardrum (red).	Excessive amounts of hair can be normal in breeds such as the Poodle and Bichon Frise.  Sometimes the hair causes moisture and wax to be retained in the canal causing an ear infection.	This large wax plug located deep in the ear canal of a cat caused a good deal of discomfort.  It was removed under anesthesia with the video otoscope.
This Labrador Retriever had severe bilateral otitis and was in excruciating pain.  Note the copious amounts of discharge and wax which was subsequently cleansed from the canal with the video otoscope.	Polyps are sometimes the cause of chronic ear infections. Note how this large polyp is completely obstructing the canal.  Polyps cannot be diagnosed and adequately treated until the canal has been thoroughly cleaned.	This older cocker spaniel has likely had ongoing infections for years.  Note the hemorrhage and inflammation.  This photo was taken after a tremendous amount of wax and debris were removed. Her ear drum is ruptured but she has taken her first step toward full recovery.
A young female German Shepard named "Heidi" with a diseased canal lining and ruptured ear drum.  She later had surgery to reroute her ear canal which helped prevent future infections & relieved her pain.	A springer spaniel with complete ear drum rupture & otitis media (middle ear infection).  Beyond the hair where the ear drum should be, the interior of the middle ear can be seen.  This dog needed antibiotics for 6 weeks to resolve her middle ear infection.	After extensive flushing and removal of debris, a normal ear drum is finally visualized in the depths of this ear canal.  The catheter being used in this photo is only 1.5 mm in diameter.  It is impossible to clean ear canals to this extent without the use of the video ototscope.

Dog ear infection article and administering drops

Dog ear infections commonly recur.  People often blame this on antibiotic resistance or problems with their vet, but the main causes are actually failure to ensure the ear is clean (and stays clean afterward) and failure by owners to put ear drops in the correct location.  The wikipedia article on dog ear infections has this useful image describing where to put ear drops when medicating your dogs ear.

Dog Vet

 

Dog ear infections: 8 common causes

Dog ear infections are common, but there are many possible causes.  I love this article 8 Possible causes of dog ear infection because its simple, accurate, and straight to the point.

Dog Vet

From: http://hubpages.com/hub/Dog-Ear-Infection

Dog Ear Infection

8 Possible Causes Of Dog Ear Infection

Dog ear infection, otitis externa, is a condition of the inflammation of the outer ear canal.

It is a common condition in pets. An estimate of 20% of the dog population is affected by this ear problem.

The structure of a dog's ear canal differs from human. Human has a horizontal ear canal. A dog has a L-shape ear canal. It is easy for ear wax and moisture to be trap in the vertical section of the dog's ear canal. Often, the blockage leads to a dog ear infection.

There are many reasons for ear infection in dogs. Knowing the cause of the problem comes in handy when you want to help your dog to get better.

Here are 8 possible causes of dog ear infection:

• Floppy versus Erect Ears

Long floppy ears blowing in the wind makes a dog looks stylish and elegant. But those same floppy ears have a drawback. They block off light and reduce the air circulation within the ears.

Yeast and bacteria multiply quickly in a dark, moist and warm environment. The ear canal of a long, floppy-ear dog is the perfect place. Breeds like Basset Hound, Beagle and Cocker Spaniels often have this ear problem.

• Micro Organisms

Bacteria and yeast are one of the most common factors in dog ear infection.

The most common bacteria associated with ear infections are Staphylococcus Intermedius, Proteus Mirabilis, and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa. Pseudomonas bacteria infections are very resistant and often notoriously difficult to control.

Malassezia Pachydermatis is the yeast found most frequently in association with ear infections. It can cause severe ear and skin infections.

A healthy dog has a balanced flora of yeast and bacteria in the ear canal. But when the ear environment changes due to excess moisture, allergies or hormone disorder, the yeast and bacteria multiply quickly and the ear becomes inflammed.

• Parasites

Ear mites cause intense itching to your dog. A dog's ear that is infested with ear mites can have thousands of these tiny bugs crawling in the ear canal. As the mites feed and eat into the skin, the ear canal becomes sore and inflamed.

A dog trying to relieve the itch by scratching relentlessly, may cause further damage to the ear flaps.

• Allergies

Underlying allergies sometimes manifest as dog ear infection. A dog can have an allergic reaction to its food, something it inhales, or something it comes in contact with.

It is important to address the allergy in addition to the infection so as to minimize recurring ear inflammation.

• Foreign Bodies

Things that can get into your dog's ear include insects, twigs, grass seeds, sand, water, pet's fur ... and the list goes on. The foreign object causes irritation. If it travels deeper into the ear, it can cause damage to the ear drum.

• Hematoma

Sometimes a ear infection leads to hematoma in a dog. A dog scratching and shaking its head vigourously to get rid of an itch can break the blood vessels in the ear flap causing bleeding. The ear flap becomes swollen as blood collects within the ear flap. This can be very uncomfortable for the dog.

• Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidism is the condition where one has inadequate active thyroid hormone. It is the most common hormone imbalance of dogs. Hypothyroidism generally develops in middle aged or elderly dogs.

An imbalance in the thyroid hormone can also lead to dog ear infection.

• Tumors

Ear tumors in dogs can be benign or malignant. They generally affect middle aged or older dogs. Ceruminous gland adenocarcinoma is the most common malignant tumor of the ear canal of dogs, especially cocker spaniels. Other tumors may include papillomas and squamous cell carcinomas.

Some tumors cause pain, ulceration, bleeding and secondary ear infections.

If your pet has dog ear infection, do you know what causes the ear problem?

It may be difficult for a pet guardian to accurately determine the cause of a dog ear infection. So it is advisable to bring your dog to the veterinarian. An otoscopic examination and some lab work would provide a diagnosis of the ear infection.

Once you know the cause of the dog ear infection, you or your vet would be able to apply the appropriate treatment options.

Dog ear infection article

Ear infections in dogs range in severity from mild to severe.  This article on ear infections highlights why its so important to seek veterinary advice.  I'm sure if you have researched dog ear infections on the net you've seen a thousand and one articles on how antibiotics and ear drops don't really work, actually all you really need is (insert folk remedy here... eg apple cider vinegar or a raw food diet).  

Actually, if caught early there are heaps of natural and easy ways to treat dog ear infections, but once most people get onto the internet, their dog is in serious pain and even danger, and squirting something from your kitchen into his ulcerated, bleeding, painful ear is the worst thing you could do.

As I make very clear, many of these dogs have severe pain and infection and need prescription medications you just can't do at home.  Sadly, this is easily prevented but by and large its our own neglect and ignorance of our pets ears which lets this occur.  Learn how to prevent dog ear infections or read on to learn more about some of the complications of this common problem.

 

Dog Vet

 Otitis externa 

Introduction 
Otitis externa, or inflammation of the external ear canal, is a common condition in dogs and cats. It is characterized by inflammation of the soft tissue components of the external ear canal and is particularly prevalent in dogs with long, floppy ears. 

  
Left: as demonstrated by the above ear-model, the ear canal has a vertical and a horizontal component. This predisposes the animal to ear infections as debris must work its way upward rather than straight out. 
Right: otitis externa with brown exudate 

Anatomy of the ear 
The ear of the dog and the cat is composed of three parts: the external ear, the middle ear and the inner ear. Together these components allow the animal to locate a sound and the direction from which it emanates, to orientate the head in relation to gravity and to measure acceleration and rotation of the head. 
Selective breeding, of dogs in particular, has resulted in a wide variation in relative size and shape of the components of the external ear. Compare, for example, the French Bulldog, the Cocker Spaniel, the German Sheperd Dog, the St. Bernard and the Persian cat. The pinnal shape and carriage, the diameter of the external ear canal, the degree of hair and amount of soft tissue within the external ear canal, and the shape of the skull within which the middle and inner ear lie vary from one breed to another. 

The external ear canal 
An importrant difference between the tissues of healthy ears and infected ears is the appaerance and distribution of the glandular structures. In a healthy ear, sebaceous glands are usually numerous , large and actively secreting. In chronic otitis externa, they are less active and much smaller. The external ear canal may normally contain a small amount of wax that is yellowish-brown in color. 

Signs of ear disease
Every day we see dogs and cats who have problems with their ears. Signs of these ear problems include: 
• Odor 
• Scratching or rubbing of ears and head 
• Discharge in the ears 
• Redness or swelling of the ear flap or canal 
• Shaking of the head or tilting it to one side 
• Pain around the ears 
• Changes in behavior such as depression or irritability 

Causes of ear disease 
• Allergies such as atopy or food allergies 
• Parasites - ear mites. Adult mites are large, white and free-moving. the life cycle of the ear mite is three weeks. Mites are characterized by thick, reddish-brown or darkbrown exsudate and crusts in the ear. Ear mites are the single most frequent cause of otitis externa in the cat. Mites are highly contagious. 
• Bacteria and Yeast infections. Staphylococcus or Streptococcus (Gram-positive bacteria) infections are most frequently associated with acute otitis externa. There is a light-brown, creamy exudate. Gram-negative organisms (Proteus, Pseudomonas, E.Coli) are most frequently observed in chronic otitis externa or recurrent ear disease. There is a yellow exudate. Malassezia canis is a budding yeast: a brown, waxy adherent exudate. 
• Ticks. The spinous ear tick is found in the external ear canal of dogs and cats. The ear canal become packed with immature ticks. Treatment involves mechanical removal, spraying or dipping the coat with an insecticide. 
• Foreign bodies, e.g., plant awns 
• Trauma 
• Hormonal abnormalities, e.g., hypothyroidism 
• The ear environment, e.g., excess moisture and ear anatomy 
• Hereditary or immune conditions 
• Tumors 

Treatment 
The first step in otitis externa is a thorough cleansing of the ear canal followed with irrigation of the canal with a warm antiseptic solution (chlorhexidine or betadine). A warm sterile solution should be used if there is any indication of ruptured membrane. 
Most topical ear medications are combinations containing one ore more antiparasitics, antibacterial, antimycotic, anti-inflammatory, local anesthetic, ceruminolytic and drying and cleaning agents. Oil or ointment bases help moisturize the skin and are effective in dry, scaly or crusty lesions. Solutions or lotions are most frequently used in exsudative ear lesions. 
Cotton applicator swabs can be used to clean the inside of the earflap and the part of the ear canal you can see. They should NOT be used farther down in the ear canal since that tends to pack debris in the ear canal, rather than removing it! 
Chronic otitis externa is usually associated with underlying skin conditions such as seborrhea, hypothyroidism or improperly or neglected ear disease.ar problems caused by a systemic disease such as a hormone abnormality or allergy must include a therapy that treats the whole dog, such as hormonal replacement or allergy testing and hyposensitization (immunotherapy). 

Surgical treatment
Depending on the severity of the problem, the vertical canal may need to be opened surgically. This enables debris to be removed more effectively. This is done to prevent severe scarring after prolonged specific medical therapy has been ineffective. This procedure is called a lateral ear resection. There are several surgical techniques for this surgery. 
If the canal becomes so scarred that it is practically closed, ablation may be the final option. In this surgical procedure, the entire ear canal is removed and healthy tissue is allowed to grow in. This procedure is a last resort after severe infection has made effective medical treatment impossible. A specialist is called in for these cases and although surgery is expensive, dogs with chronic severe otitis usually require no further ear treatment for the rest of their lives.

 

 
Aural hematoma 

Complication of ear disease: aural hematoma 
When a dog or cat with uncomfortable ears shakes and scratches vigorously, a blood vessel in the ear flap may rupture.  This leads to bleeding into the tissues of the pinna (see above illustration). The usual recommendation is to have the blood clots removed and the ear bandaged and cleaned under anesthesia. If the hematoma is not so big as to occlude the ear canal (thus preventing medication), the option to forgo surgery exists; but without surgery, the ear may scar down into an abnormal appearance. 

Preventing ear disease
The key to healthy ears is to keep them clean. Check your cat's and dog’s ears weekly. A slight amount of waxy buildup may be present in normal ears. If your dog swims a lot, has pendulous ears, or a history of ear disease, routine cleaning (often once to three times per week) is recommended. Use the same procedure as described above. Excess hair around the ear can be clipped to allow more air flow. Treat any underlying condition that predisposes your dog to ear problems. 
Remember, if your dog or cat is showing severe discomfort, the ears have a bad smell, or the ear canals look very abnormal, do not delay in contacting your veterinarian. If your dog has a ruptured or weakened eardrum, some ear cleansers and medications could do more harm than good. f