Ear Infections
This is one of the most common problems we see in dogs. Ear infections are often a symptom of a deeper underlying problem, and identifying this primary cause is important in preventing recurring ear infections. Depending on the underlying cause of your dog's ear infections, this may be a problem that we can manage but not cure.
Symptoms of Ear Infections
Common symptoms of ear infections include:
Underlying Causes of Ear Infections
The most common primary causes of one-time ear infections are ear mites and foreign bodies (an example would be a blade of grass). These infections can be treated and usually do not reoccur once we treat the mites or remove the foreign body.
Recurrent ear infections are usually caused by either predisposing factors related to the shape of the ear (floppy eared dogs, narrow ear canals), thyroid dysfunction, or allergies to either food or the environment. The single most important concept to understand is that until these underlying problems are addressed, the ear infections will continue to return. Even with appropriate allergy treatment chronic ear infections may still be a problem in some dogs.
Diagnosis
We first address the ear infection your dog currently has because it is usually quite uncomfortable and needs to be medicated. We will take an ear swab and look at it under the microscope to see if there are primarily bacteria or yeast causing the infection. We will then use an appropriate ear cleaner to treat the infection. Most dogs benefit from steroids to decrease the inflammation in the ear. Some severe cases, especially chronic, swollen ears, also benefit from treatments with our therapeutic laser.
Once we have treated the ear infection, we try to diagnose the underlying cause of the ear infection. If it is simply a conformational issue (such as a Basset Hound or Cocker Spaniel with floppy ears) then routine ear cleanings may be all that is necessary to prevent further ear infections. Thyroid testing can be performed in the clinic to see if your dog may benefit from thyroid supplementation. A food trial may be performed to rule out food allergies. If we suspect environmental allergies, testing at a dermatologist and giving immunotherapy injections may really benefit your dog and prevent future infections. (see more information about food and environmental allergies, food trials and dermatologists under the "Allergies" heading).
Treatment
Treatment consists of two steps: 1) treat the current ear infection and 2) treat the underlying cause of the ear infection. If you only treat the ear infections without addressing any underlying allergy or thyroid issues, you are almost guaranteed to battle chronic ear infections with your dog because these are symptoms and not the primary cause. Most ear infections will clear up within 5-7 days once therapy has been started, but will return within 30 days once medications have stopped because there is still an underlying cause of inflammation in the ears.
Treatment for allergies can take months to achieve a desired effect. We may need to continue to address ear infections during this time as they arise. These cases require frequent rechecks and monitoring to make sure that all secondary problems are being controlled while we try to treat any allergies that may be present.
Symptoms of Ear Infections
Common symptoms of ear infections include:
- Red, inflamed ear canals
- Foul smell to the ears
- Discharge from the ears (brown, black, or yellow or bloody)
- Matted hair underneath the ears
- Shaking the head
- Scratching the head or ears
- Head tilt to one side
- Pain or crying out when the ears are touched
- Swollen, thick ear (called an ear hematoma)
Underlying Causes of Ear Infections
The most common primary causes of one-time ear infections are ear mites and foreign bodies (an example would be a blade of grass). These infections can be treated and usually do not reoccur once we treat the mites or remove the foreign body.
Recurrent ear infections are usually caused by either predisposing factors related to the shape of the ear (floppy eared dogs, narrow ear canals), thyroid dysfunction, or allergies to either food or the environment. The single most important concept to understand is that until these underlying problems are addressed, the ear infections will continue to return. Even with appropriate allergy treatment chronic ear infections may still be a problem in some dogs.
Diagnosis
We first address the ear infection your dog currently has because it is usually quite uncomfortable and needs to be medicated. We will take an ear swab and look at it under the microscope to see if there are primarily bacteria or yeast causing the infection. We will then use an appropriate ear cleaner to treat the infection. Most dogs benefit from steroids to decrease the inflammation in the ear. Some severe cases, especially chronic, swollen ears, also benefit from treatments with our therapeutic laser.
Once we have treated the ear infection, we try to diagnose the underlying cause of the ear infection. If it is simply a conformational issue (such as a Basset Hound or Cocker Spaniel with floppy ears) then routine ear cleanings may be all that is necessary to prevent further ear infections. Thyroid testing can be performed in the clinic to see if your dog may benefit from thyroid supplementation. A food trial may be performed to rule out food allergies. If we suspect environmental allergies, testing at a dermatologist and giving immunotherapy injections may really benefit your dog and prevent future infections. (see more information about food and environmental allergies, food trials and dermatologists under the "Allergies" heading).
Treatment
Treatment consists of two steps: 1) treat the current ear infection and 2) treat the underlying cause of the ear infection. If you only treat the ear infections without addressing any underlying allergy or thyroid issues, you are almost guaranteed to battle chronic ear infections with your dog because these are symptoms and not the primary cause. Most ear infections will clear up within 5-7 days once therapy has been started, but will return within 30 days once medications have stopped because there is still an underlying cause of inflammation in the ears.
Treatment for allergies can take months to achieve a desired effect. We may need to continue to address ear infections during this time as they arise. These cases require frequent rechecks and monitoring to make sure that all secondary problems are being controlled while we try to treat any allergies that may be present.