Ear infections are quite common among dogs. The substrate may be different and the disease may affect one ear or a couple. It is worth remembering that chronic inflammation can cause more serious illnesses such as imbalance or hearing loss.

EAR INFECTION IN DOGS

Dermatitis of the ear canal in dogs starts inflammation of the ear. Your dog's ear canal is twisted at an angle, so there are favourable conditions (difficult air supply, humidity and heat) for inflammation. Ear infections can be caused by bacterial, fungal or parasitic infections.

Dog ear inflammation can also result from foreign bodies (water, grass, sand) entering the ear canal. It is difficult for a foreign body to fall out of the ear canal, which causes inflammation. However, it is usually a one-sided inflammation, as it affects only one ear.

Driving a car with your dog's head out of the window can also contribute to your dog's ear infections. Another reason is also an allergy, which initially causes itching of the skin, so that the dog splits the skin of the ear, and this promotes the development of fungi and bacteria.

EAR INFECTIONS IN DOGS - SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of ear inflammation in dogs include: bad smell from the ear, tilting the head to one side (the dog leans the head to the side of the ear of the patient), fluttering the head and scratching the ear of the patient. Ear pain can make your dog squeak when he's touched around the ear or even when he's scratching it on his own.

PURULENT EAR INFECTIONS IN DOGS

Ear inflammation can be twofold: purulent (pus in the vicinity of the ear and pain) and erythema-wax (abundant wax, itching, redness). In extreme cases, ear inflammation can result in the transmission of the disease to its internal structure (to the middle ear), which in turn leads to imbalances and even hearing loss.

Pain and itching in the ear area causes the dog to constantly irritate the tissues, which can result in the form of an auricle hematoma. If your dog is suspected of developing auricle inflammation, you should immediately go with the animal for appropriate examinations.

HOW DO I DIAGNOSE EAR INFECTIONS IN MY DOG?

In order to diagnose the disease and to determine the cause of the disease, the vet looks at the ear from the inside using an otoscope. It also removes the secretion smear, which fills the inside of the ear. If the inflammation is caused by strangulation of a foreign body, it is removed from the ear canal. The outcome of the study also suggests which medicines will be most appropriate in the specific case.

Inflammation can affect the inner ear or the middle ear. You may then need to perform the operation. In the case of allergy-induced ear infections, it must be treated accordingly.

This raises the question of whether all dogs are equally prone to ear infections.

Dogs with standing ears are more likely to fall into the ear canal of a foreign body. Dogs with drooping, large ears usually suffer from reduced air access to the inside of the ear, which is conducive to the development of the disease. Some breeds or types of dogs are also more susceptible to ear infections.

More frequent ear diseases include spaniels, Bernardines, bassets, Newfoundland, as well as Dobermans, German Shepherd's sheepdogs and schnauzers. However, inflammation of the outer ear can happen to any dog.

HOME REMEDIES FOR EAR INFECTIONS IN DOGS

The vast majority of breeds require that hair overgrowing around the ears be removed. It is also necessary to clean your ears regularly with appropriate means. After bathing your dog, you should also dry the outer ear canal, for example with a cottonwool swab. A regular check-up at home allows you to notice any disturbing changes.

EAR INFECTIONS IN DOGS - TREATMENT

If anything seems to be abnormal, let's necessarily go to the vet with your dog - a quick reaction makes it possible to save the dog's suffering. It also allows to reduce the costs of treatment, which are higher in the case of advanced disease.