Ear infections are a very common disease, occurring more in dogs than in cats. It mostly occurs in dog breeds that have the so-called closed ear shell, ie fallen ears, but it is not uncommon in small dog breeds such as Maltese, Bichon, Pekingese or German Shepherds due to increased ear hair.
Ear infections are generally considered to be one of the less significant diseases, but if the treatment is inadequate or untimely, it can become a serious disease with very serious consequences. For this reason, we have singled out the most common symptoms of ear infections below:
Pain and the most common symptoms – The first symptom that occurs with ear infections is pain, which you will most easily notice if you try to stroke your pet’s head. Also, along with the pain, there is a discharge which is usually brown in color and has a very unpleasant smell. This can be accompanied by fever, movement of the dog in a circle or with a bowed head in the position “as if constantly sniffing something”, and sometimes there is a persistent shaking of the head. If the symptoms are expressed in this way, it is most likely that there is a foreign body in the ear canal, such as a priest’s pig (lat. Hordeum murinum) or a piece of cotton wool.
Dog’s red ear – What both owners and professionals notice is redness of the ear shell accompanied by small wounds that bleed to the touch as well as peeling skin on the inside of the ear. The general recommendation for owners is that if they notice these changes, they do not take anything on their own and do not use any medications or drops, but to take their pet to the vet immediately. In case you have used a product, be sure to emphasize it to the veterinarian so that your actions do not disturb the analysis and lead the veterinarian to the wrong side. Also, it is a good idea to bring the product or medicine you gave your dog with you.
Fungi – Fungi are considered to be the most common cause of ear infections in both dogs and cats. Fungal inflammation is responsible for the brown discharge from the ears that we mentioned at the beginning of the text. After the fungus, a bacterial complication can occur after 7 to 10 days.
Ear Itching – The second most common cause is ear scabies, which is the cause of inflammation in more than 60% of cases. The first symptom of scabies is itching, which is extremely persistent, which will make the dog scratch persistently on the infected ear. Owners often overlook this, because there are no other visible symptoms other than itching, so in most cases they think that the cause of itching is an allergy or a bath. Inflammation due to scabies, if not treated later, can be complicated and get a bacterial and fungal component.
Priest’s pig (lat. Hordeum murinum) – This plant most often appears in the spring and dogs that walk in parks, grasses, especially freshly mowed, can easily become victims of this plant. It is an annual plant, which easily attaches to the hair on the ear or on the skin of the pet and thus enters the ear canal. The symptoms are immediately visible, the dog starts whining because of the pain, keeps his head bowed, walks with his head turned to one side, which makes it easier for the owner to notice that the problem was caused by a priest’s pig. If you notice this behavior, you should take your pet to the vet immediately.
Tumors and growths – Tumor diseases and the appearance of growths in the external ear canal can also be common causes. Over time, these types of growths can lead to ear canal obstruction and serious health problems.
Allergies – Allergies usually occur in the spring, but they can also occur in the rest of the year, especially if they are allergies to food, mites, some chemicals, etc. It is important to note that allergy is the only condition in which both ears are inflamed, there is no other pathological condition that can cause inflammation of both ears. If left untreated, allergies can later be complicated by other types of inflammation, unless the original cause is eliminated.
Treatment and hygiene
Treatment of ear inflammation can last from a few days to several weeks, and in complicated or tumor-induced inflammation it can take several months. The general recommendation to owners is not to do anything “on their own” but to immediately contact a veterinarian who will take all adequate measures depending on the condition of the dog. Also, hygiene is extremely important because it is the only prevention of ear infections. There are numerous products for cleaning the outer part of the ear canal, but it is obligatory to check with the veterinarian which products is best for your pet, because there are different ones depending on the condition and type of skin. In breeds of dogs that have a more hairy ear canal, it is mandatory to regularly remove hair from the canal – at least once a month.