EAR INFECTIONS
There are several conditions that affect dog’s ears. Probably the most common is infection of the outer ear canal – called otitis externa.
Factors which can make dogs prone to otitis externa include tortuous ear canals, large droopy ears (eg Cocker Spaniels), excessive hair growing in the ear canal (Poodles), excessive wax production, general skin disease, or overgrowth of skin bacteria or yeasts. All of these can produce an unhealthy environment in the ear canal which promotes the growth of bacteria and yeasts. This causes the canal to become inflamed and itchy, and the more the dog scratches, the worse it gets.

SIGNS – head shaking, rubbing and scratching the ears, pain, smelly ears
The vet can examine the dog’s ears with an auroscope, although this can sometimes be difficult if the ears are very painful, and may require the dog to be admitted for an anaesthetic.

TREATMENT – the vet can usually treat the condition with ears drops, which kill the bacteria and stop the scratching. You will need to give the treatment at home for a few days – the vet will show you how to administer the drops properly. In severe cases, the dog will be given an anaesthetic and the ears can be cleaned and examined without causing pain.

PREVENTION – this must be aimed at the initiating factors, and includes regular ear cleaning (your vet can show you how to do this – do NOT try using cotton buds and spirit) and regular plucking of the hairs in Poodles. Spaniels can have the hair around their ears trimmed to stop it getting matted.

It is very important to treat otitis externa early, and to try to stop recurrences. If the condition is allowed to worsen, it can have long term complications. The delicate lining of the ear canal thickens and becomes ulcerated, which promotes further infections. This can lead to irreversible changes in the ear canal which are unpleasant for the dog and very difficult to treat. (This is discussed later)

EAR MITES
These are common in cats and affect dogs too. The Otodectes mites live in the ear canal and cause itchy ears and head shaking. They can be treated easily with parasiticidal drops, but they must be differentiated from other causes of ear irritation by the vet.

FOREIGN BODIES
It is not uncommon for grass seeds to get into the ear canals, where they cause a great deal of pain and irritation. If the dog suddenly starts scratching an ear violently, especially after running in grass or barley, he must be seen by a vet to remove the seed before it causes damage to the canal.

ALLERGIES
Allergies in dogs can often be associated with inflammation of the ear canals and ear flaps. The itchiness makes the dog scratch and he can then inflict further damage. A wide variety of allergens have been identified including parasites, pollens and food. As with otitis externa, allergies can lead to chronic changes if not identified and adequately treated.

HAEMATOMA
A haematoma is like a blood blister in the ear flap. It is usually the result of continued scratching of the ear, ear shaking or other trauma to the ear flap. The damaged blood vessels in the ear flap ooze blood or bloody fluid beneath the skin. (The condition resembles a human boxer’s thick ear). A blood clot or pool of bloody fluid forms, and this can be quite large especially in dogs with big ears like Cocker Spaniels. The ear can swell to the size of a pear and can cause discomfort. If not treated, it will turn into a cauliflower ear because scar tissue will form.
Treatment –this is twofold - the underlying ear irritation must be treated and the clot or fluid must be removed. Often this is done under anaesthetic. Sometimes, early cases respond well to drainage alone, but usually an operation must be carried out to prevent the haematoma reforming by sewing together the two flaps of skin which make up the ear flap.

CHRONIC DAMAGE
If ear irritation continues for a long time, the chronic damage to the ear canal may need surgical treatment. When the skin of the ear canal is badly inflamed, it can thicken to such an extent that the canal itself is obliterated and the opposing layers of skin rub together, causing ulceration. This leads to more inflammation, and larger and larger ulcers. Obviously this is both painful and unhealthy for the dog.
An aural resection is an operation to open up the ear canal along its length, and leave it open to the outside. The rubbing surfaces then no longer meet, ventilation of the canal is much improved, and discharges can drain away instead of being trapped. The operation is performed under a general anaesthetic.
Aural resection is a fairly major ear operation and is not the answer in every case of chronic ear problems, but take your vet’s advice.

Back to Topics