Does My Dog Have an Ear Infection?
Yeast and Bacterial Canine Ear Infections Cause Pain, Ear Discharge Jun 4, 2008 Mia Carter
Ear infections are one of the most common ailments seen in dogs who land in the veterinarian’s office, and prompt treatment of ear ailments can help prevent permanent damage like hearing loss. Recognizing the most common symptoms of an ear infection in a dog – ear discharge, itching, swelling and head shaking – is the first step in managing canine ear infections.
“Ear infections are very common in dogs – the vast majority of dogs will suffer from an ear infection at some point during their life. Dogs with floppy ears and fur on the inner part of their ears are much more prone, but anytime there’s an accumulation of bacteria and moisture, there’s a good chance of a bacterial or fungal infection,” explained Dr. Michael Levine, DVM.
There are two common varieties of ear infections in dogs, and each affects the ear in different ways. An infection affecting the outer portion of the ear canal is known as otitis externa. The infection can also advance and spread into the dog's middle ear. An infection affecting the dog's middle ear is termed otitis media. The inner ear can also be affected in some very advanced cases. Otitis interna - an infection of the inner ear - can then spread to the central nervous system, leading to systemic infection and ultimately death
A dog's ear infection can take one of two forms: bacterial infections and fungal infections, and each is treated with a slightly different medication.
Bacterial Ear Infections
Bacterial infections in dogs are typically associated with discharge, redness, swelling and pain. These infections arise when the population of bacteria inside the dog's ear grows beyond the control of the body’s immune system defenses. In some cases, particularly involving a dog with chronic ear infections, there is a lack of airflow and an accumulation of moisture that sets the stage for infection – often seen in dogs with floppy ears or furry inner ears. Failure to regularly clean a dog’s ears can also lead to bacterial infections.
Antibiotic drops, combined with twice-daily cleanings, are the most common treatment for bacterial ear infections in dogs.
Frequent dog head shaking is another a very common symptom associated with a bacterial ear infection. Excessive head shaking in dogs can lead to additional parallel problems, like the breakage of blood vessels beneath the skin’s surface. This results in the formation of an aural hematoma, which is a pocket of blood beneath the skin’s surface that often requires lancing, antibiotic treatment and even surgery.
Fungal Ear Infections
Fungal ear infections in dogs are triggered by a fungus, which can often spread to other parts of the body, including the face and paws. Fungi thrives in locations that are moist, dark and damp, therefore floppy-eared dogs like hounds and spaniels are particularly prone to these infections.
In the case of a yeast infection, which is among the most common types of fungal infection, the yeast is constantly present on the body. The dog's body typically keeps the yeast in-check, but there are cases where changes in body chemistry, combined with ideal moist conditions, can result in an overgrowth of the yeast – a yeast infection. In other cases, fungi can be transferred to the skin by direct contact, leading to the establishment of the infection.
Fungal infections in dogs are often associated with discharge, redness, swelling, scaling, dryness, oozing and intense itching. When a dog scratches his ears, this not only spreads the infection, but the dog's nails can break the skin, resulting in a secondary bacterial infection affecting the dog's outer ear.
Yeast and other fungal infections have a tendency to spread to other body parts. Since frequent itching is common in a dog with a fungal ear infection, the yeast infection is commonly transferred to the feet and face, therefore prompt treatment is key to avoid the spread of a yeast infection.
The most common treatment for a dog's fungal ear infection involves the use of ant-fungal drops or ointment, in conjunction with twice-daily cleanings of the dog's ears.
Home Treatment
There is no home treatment that can effectively heal a bacterial or fungal ear infection in a dog.
When a dog develops an ear infection, cleaning the dog's ears at least twice daily can help reduce the amount of irritation that results from the discharge can relieve some of the discomfort. And in the case of an itchy fungal infection, hydrocortisone cream can temporarily ease some of the itching until the dog can get into the veterinarian’s office. But these measures will not cure a dog's ear infection at home.
“Its vital that pet owners take ear infections seriously – they won’t go away on their own,” explained Dr. Levine, who concluded, “A severe ear infection can cause intense pain and discomfort, not to mention permanent hearing loss. Cleaning the dog's ears twice a week will keep the ears in good shape, while also providing the pet owner with an opportunity to catch any problems early on. Early treatment is the key.”
Looking for tips for cleaning a dog's ears? Check out How to Clean a Dog's Ears for advice and step-by-step directions on how to clean a dog's ears properly and without a struggle!
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