No one likes to see their dog suffer, and if you suspect your dog has a painful ear infection, you’re probably searching for “dog ear infection medication.”
Dogs tend to hide their pain, so your pup may not show signs of how bad they’re feeling. If you’ve ever had an ear infection, you know how painful it can be. Read on to learn more about how to eradicate this common medical condition.
What Causes Ear Infections in Dogs?
Dogs’ ear canals have a different shape than that of humans. Their ear canals have an L-shape that often retains fluids and makes them more prone to painful ear infections. Bacteria and yeast can accumulate in this moist environment, triggering an ear infection. Ear infections can develop in puppies if they have ear mites.
Ear infections are more likely to develop in dogs who have:
- Allergies
- Moisture
- Endocrine disorders
- Autoimmune disorders
- Wax buildup
- Excessive cleaning
- Foreign material
- Injured ear canal
Moisture, a significant factor in canine ear infections, creates an ideal environment for bacteria and yeast to thrive. Food allergies are a common source of ear infections. Around 80 percent of dogs with food allergies develop ear disease. Of dogs with allergic skin disease, roughly 50 percent develop infections. Endocrine disorders like thyroid disease also contribute to ear disease.
If you suspect your dog has this painful condition, it’s essential to get a diagnosis and immediate treatment from a veterinarian. Severe or frequent ear infections are more challenging to treat and more likely to recur. Dogs with ear infections also risk developing injuries like an aural hematoma from frequent rubbing and scratching.
When to See a Vet
It’s tempting to look for over-the-counter treatments for your dog’s ear infection, but ear infections are painful and prone to spreading to the middle and inner ear, so it’s crucial to get your dog in to see a vet. It’s the fastest and most effective way to rid your dog of a painful infection.
- Detailed log of dog’s symptoms and their onset
- Current medications
- Diet
- Medical history
- Ear cleaning and grooming habits
- Recent baths or swimming
Your vet will be particularly interested to know if your dog has a history of ear infections and how they were treated. The vet will also want to hear about any products you’ve used to clean your dog’s ears.
Once your veterinarian gathers this information, they will proceed with a physical examination of the dog. They will examine the ear to look for discharge, redness, and swelling, and they may use an otoscope to assess the eardrum and ear canal condition. It can be helpful to gently palpitate the ear to get a sense of how much pain your pet is experiencing.
If your vet suspects that your dog has an ear infection, they will likely collect samples from the ear by swabbing it. The swabs will be tested to determine if yeast or bacteria are present. For more severe, chronic ear infections, biopsies or X-rays may be necessary.
For infections of the outer ear or otitis externa, your vet may prescribe a topical medication, such as an antifungal cream or ointment. Infections of the middle ear are treated with tablets or injections. In some cases, further testing and surgery may be necessary.
What Caused My Dog’s Ear Infection?
Ear infections are commonly triggered by ear mites, yeast and bacteria, moist ears, and allergies. Read on to learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatments for each of these conditions.
Ear Mites
Ear mites or Otodectes cynotis are barely visible arachnids that nest in your dog’s ear canal. They feed on the oils and wax in your pet’s ears. Their presence is irritating to your dog and may provoke scratching that can damage the ear.
Causes
- Contact with an infected animal
Symptoms
- Scratching head
- Crumbly, dark discharge
- Ear wounds
- Otitis (ear inflammation or infections)
Treatment
Your veterinarian can examine your dog’s ears with an otoscope to determine if ear mites are present and have led to an ear infection. Your vet can recommend an approved ear mite product. Monthly anti-parasite treatment and regular ear cleanings can prevent ear mites.
Yeast & Bacteria
Yeast and bacteria can easily develop in your dog’s ear because of their anatomical features. Yeast, bacteria, or both are common causes of ear infections. Bacterial and yeast infections have similar causes, symptoms, and treatment.
Causes
- Frequent swimming or bathing
- Floppy ears
- Trapped debris or water
- Environmental and food allergens
Symptoms
- A sweet or musty odor
- Redness
- Brown discharge
- Greasy, matted ear hair
- Itching ears
- Rubbing head
Treatment
After confirming the presence of bacteria and yeast with cytology, vets prescribe antifungal drops or ointment for a yeast or bacterial infection and recommend ear cleaning. A severe ear infection may require oral antibiotics.
Moist Ears
Dogs’ ears are naturally prone to retaining moisture, so canine ear infections are one of the most common reasons for a vet visit. Water from external sources can cause ear infections, but if the ear itself is secreting the moisture, that indicates that an ear infection has already set in.
Causes
- Humid weather
- Frequent swimming or bathing
- Floppy ears
Symptoms
- Wet or moist ears
- Head shaking
Treatment
If an infection has not yet set in, you simply need to dry your dog’s ears and follow a regular ear cleaning schedule. Pet owners who suspect their dogs have ear infections should take them to the vet.
Allergies
Like people, dogs can develop allergies, and allergens can cause the ear canal to produce more wax, leading to an ear infection. Allergic Otis is common.
Causes
Environmental and food allergies can cause ear infections in dogs. If your dog has ear infections all year long, food allergies or non-seasonal allergens could be the culprit. Seasonal allergies may cause ear infections that correspond with allergy season. Dogs can be allergic to anything, but we’ve listed the most common allergens below.
- Pollens
- Mold
- Feathers
- Dust
- Cleaning products
- Cigarette smoke
- Fleas
- Dairy
- Gluten
- Beef
- Lamb
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Soy
Symptoms
If dogs have developed allergic Otis, they will exhibit the symptoms of ear infections. These additional symptoms indicate that a dog has allergies:
- Rubbing their face on surfaces
- Excessive paw licking
- Itching or licking parts of their body
Treatment
For dogs with food allergies, your vet will suggest dietary changes. Dogs with flea allergies should be given regular flea control medication, and the dog’s home should be thoroughly treated for fleas. Dogs with environmental allergies can undergo allergy testing. Antigen therapy, steroids, antihistamines, and anti-itch allergy medication are used to treat dogs with these allergies.
Prevention tips
Unfortunately, dogs with a chronic or recurrent ear infection are all too common. It’s better to prevent them. The best way to keep future infections from occurring is to identify and treat the underlying cause.
- Dry your dog’s ears after swimming or bathing.
- Properly clean your dog’s ears regularly.
- Limit your dog’s exposure to any of their known allergens.
- Follow any instructions your vet gives you.
- Seek immediate treatment at the first signs of an ear infection.
The time between ear cleanings can vary between dogs based on their ear type and activities. The general rule is that dogs should have their ears cleaned once a month. Dogs with floppy ears or who swim frequently are more likely to have excess moisture in their ears, creating the ideal conditions for an infection to develop. These dogs should have their ears cleaned biweekly or weekly. Your vet can recommend the best schedule for your pup and demonstrate how to clean your dog’s ears.
Cleaning a dog’s ears incorrectly can be ineffective or even cause harm. A cotton swab helps clean the ear flaps but should never be used in the ear canal because they can push debris farther down it, making an infection more likely. It’s even possible to harm the inner ear structure with these cotton-tipped swabs. Paper towels and cotton balls are not recommended because they often leave fibers behind that can irritate your dog’s ears.
It’s recommended to clean your dog’s ears using a cleaning solution designed for dog ears and an absorbent gauze. Fill the dog’s ear with the solution and gently massage the ear canal from the outside. Use the gauze to absorb the remaining solution and any debris or wax that you spot.
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