The Canine Ear - Healthy vs Un-Healthy - Dos and Don'ts
If detected early, ear infections are very treatable. However, a
simple, common ear problem, if left un-treated, can lead into more
serious problems.
There are 3 types of ear infections...
Outer Ear - which affects the ear canal and stops at the ear drum
Middle Ear - which affects the part of the ear right inside the ear
drum
Inner Ear - Area closest to the brain which involves the bones of the
inner ear
The majority of the problems begin with ear infection number 1... in
the outer ear. The dog may scratch the ear frequently, shake it's
head and possibly moan or show other signs of discomfort. The ear
will look inflamed and will quite possibly have a very noticeable
foul-smelling discharge of varying brownish colors. The type of
infection could be either bacteria or yeast related. A diagnosis by a
vet will determine which type. Medicine in the form of ointments or
drops will normally be used topically (pet owner applying directly into
the ear).
Other causes of Outer Ear infection could be allergies (air borne or
hypersensitivity to foods), ear mites (usually 5-10% of the time) and
foreign bodies in the ear (wax, dirt, water, plant materials, fleas
and/or ticks).
Even though an Outer Ear infection seems harmless, it can be
chronic (occur frequently...or never completely clear up at all) and
this sets the stage for Infection #2...Middle Ear Infection.
If the ear drum becomes pierced or torn (weakened by repeated
outer ear infections) then the outer ear infection can move farther
into the ear. Symptoms may be a dog tilting it's head or having
balance problems and or nausea. This type of infection is harder to
diagnose and treat. Because drops or ointments can't reach this
area, oral antibiotics are usually prescribed by the vet.
If a dog's ears are overly damaged due to excessive ear infections
or infections that were left untreated, the ear canal will thicken over
time, often to the point the dogs hearing is cut off. The ear cartilage
may turn into bone...type 3 infection. Medicine will no longer work
and surgery is the only answer. This is a very dramatic measure and
is very traumatic and painful to the dog.
Keep in mind that dogs with flop-ears are more susceptible to
infections rather than dogs with erect ears. This is because the air
can enter the erect ears more easily to keep them dry.
Certain breeds have genetic skin disorders that predispose them to
ear problems. Many Cocker Spaniels, for example, have skin
problems that are excessively waxy and scaly. If this skin problem is
not controlled, it sets up an environment for growing yeast and
bacteria which can easily be spread to the ear by ear-scratching.
When this is combined with the heavy, flop ear of the Cocker, the
problem is further heightened.
Now that you know something about the 3 types of infections and
what causes them, it's time to find out what you, the pet owner, can
do to help.
For Dogs With Healthy Ears...
A. It's best to leave the ears alone. You can often create problems
by over-caring of the ear. Plucking hair from the healthy ear should
always be followed by the administration of medicated ear powder so
that the open pores are not left open and susceptible to infection.
B. Keep the ears clean and free of wax build-up by wiping gently with
a clean, small cotton ball. In a healthy ear the yellowish colored wax
will flow to the outer ear canal for easy cleaning. Never use a cotton
swab (ex: Q-tip), as an inexperienced person could actually push or
pack the ear wax right up to the ear drum.
C. When bathing, always place a small piece of cotton gently inside
the outer ear canal to prevent water from entering. This is a very
common cause for infection.
D. Make a habit of regularly sniffing the dogs ears for any un-usual
or foul odors that could indicate the start of infection.
For Dogs With Un-Healthy Ears...
A. It's useful to keep the ears free of excess hair that may trap dirt
and wax, and cause an environment for bacteria to breed. (Follow
your Vets recommendation on this).
B. Regularly sniff the dog's ears for odors
C. Water in the ear - either from the bath or swimming- can lead to
problems. Here again the warm, dark, moist canal easily breeds
bacteria. Always place a piece of cotton in each ear before a bath
(and don't forget to remove it). Apply a drying agent (ear powder)
after a thorough cotton ball wipe, for dogs that enjoy swimming.
D. Act immediately at the first sign of infection. If your child had an
infection you wouldn't postpone treating it...do the same for the poor
dog.
E. When treating an infection it is vital to use up the entire
prescription of medicine. Because dogs don't enjoy their sore ear
being worked on, the pet owner may be eager to stop the treatment
process pre-maturely because the ear "looks or smells better". This
only causes the infection to return. If an improvement in the infection
is not noticed within a few days, it would be time to call or return to
the vet for a different medication.
F. Always return the dog for a follow-up exam to make sure the
entire infection is gone.
In Conclusion...
As a pet owner you should understand that regular, at-home
maintenance is the first step toward healthy ears. If problems are
noticed, the sooner the cause can be eliminated and managed the
sooner your dog will be able to live more comfortably.
Carol Doggett
All About Dog Grooming - Your happiness is Guaran'teed!
www.learntogroom.com
If detected early, ear infections are very treatable. However, a
simple, common ear problem, if left un-treated, can lead into more
serious problems.
There are 3 types of ear infections...
Outer Ear - which affects the ear canal and stops at the ear drum
Middle Ear - which affects the part of the ear right inside the ear
drum
Inner Ear - Area closest to the brain which involves the bones of the
inner ear
The majority of the problems begin with ear infection number 1... in
the outer ear. The dog may scratch the ear frequently, shake it's
head and possibly moan or show other signs of discomfort. The ear
will look inflamed and will quite possibly have a very noticeable
foul-smelling discharge of varying brownish colors. The type of
infection could be either bacteria or yeast related. A diagnosis by a
vet will determine which type. Medicine in the form of ointments or
drops will normally be used topically (pet owner applying directly into
the ear).
Other causes of Outer Ear infection could be allergies (air borne or
hypersensitivity to foods), ear mites (usually 5-10% of the time) and
foreign bodies in the ear (wax, dirt, water, plant materials, fleas
and/or ticks).
Even though an Outer Ear infection seems harmless, it can be
chronic (occur frequently...or never completely clear up at all) and
this sets the stage for Infection #2...Middle Ear Infection.
If the ear drum becomes pierced or torn (weakened by repeated
outer ear infections) then the outer ear infection can move farther
into the ear. Symptoms may be a dog tilting it's head or having
balance problems and or nausea. This type of infection is harder to
diagnose and treat. Because drops or ointments can't reach this
area, oral antibiotics are usually prescribed by the vet.
If a dog's ears are overly damaged due to excessive ear infections
or infections that were left untreated, the ear canal will thicken over
time, often to the point the dogs hearing is cut off. The ear cartilage
may turn into bone...type 3 infection. Medicine will no longer work
and surgery is the only answer. This is a very dramatic measure and
is very traumatic and painful to the dog.
Keep in mind that dogs with flop-ears are more susceptible to
infections rather than dogs with erect ears. This is because the air
can enter the erect ears more easily to keep them dry.
Certain breeds have genetic skin disorders that predispose them to
ear problems. Many Cocker Spaniels, for example, have skin
problems that are excessively waxy and scaly. If this skin problem is
not controlled, it sets up an environment for growing yeast and
bacteria which can easily be spread to the ear by ear-scratching.
When this is combined with the heavy, flop ear of the Cocker, the
problem is further heightened.
Now that you know something about the 3 types of infections and
what causes them, it's time to find out what you, the pet owner, can
do to help.
For Dogs With Healthy Ears...
A. It's best to leave the ears alone. You can often create problems
by over-caring of the ear. Plucking hair from the healthy ear should
always be followed by the administration of medicated ear powder so
that the open pores are not left open and susceptible to infection.
B. Keep the ears clean and free of wax build-up by wiping gently with
a clean, small cotton ball. In a healthy ear the yellowish colored wax
will flow to the outer ear canal for easy cleaning. Never use a cotton
swab (ex: Q-tip), as an inexperienced person could actually push or
pack the ear wax right up to the ear drum.
C. When bathing, always place a small piece of cotton gently inside
the outer ear canal to prevent water from entering. This is a very
common cause for infection.
D. Make a habit of regularly sniffing the dogs ears for any un-usual
or foul odors that could indicate the start of infection.
For Dogs With Un-Healthy Ears...
A. It's useful to keep the ears free of excess hair that may trap dirt
and wax, and cause an environment for bacteria to breed. (Follow
your Vets recommendation on this).
B. Regularly sniff the dog's ears for odors
C. Water in the ear - either from the bath or swimming- can lead to
problems. Here again the warm, dark, moist canal easily breeds
bacteria. Always place a piece of cotton in each ear before a bath
(and don't forget to remove it). Apply a drying agent (ear powder)
after a thorough cotton ball wipe, for dogs that enjoy swimming.
D. Act immediately at the first sign of infection. If your child had an
infection you wouldn't postpone treating it...do the same for the poor
dog.
E. When treating an infection it is vital to use up the entire
prescription of medicine. Because dogs don't enjoy their sore ear
being worked on, the pet owner may be eager to stop the treatment
process pre-maturely because the ear "looks or smells better". This
only causes the infection to return. If an improvement in the infection
is not noticed within a few days, it would be time to call or return to
the vet for a different medication.
F. Always return the dog for a follow-up exam to make sure the
entire infection is gone.
In Conclusion...
As a pet owner you should understand that regular, at-home
maintenance is the first step toward healthy ears. If problems are
noticed, the sooner the cause can be eliminated and managed the
sooner your dog will be able to live more comfortably.
Carol Doggett
All About Dog Grooming - Your happiness is Guaran'teed!
www.learntogroom.com
Nj's DogHouse, LLC
Going to Nj's is always a treat!
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