Dog Ear Infection
When talking about the health of a dog, ear infection inevitably comes into the conversation. This is because it is a common ailment with dogs; appearing in one of three forms. It may be an infection of the external ear canal, the middle ear or the inner ear. All of the forms are easily treatable; it is only when they are left untreated that more serious problems can occur.
External Ear Infection
An external ear infection is the most common type of ear problems with dogs. It can occur in any breed, although there is evidence that certain breeds, such as poodles and cocker spaniels, are more prone to these infections.
Cause: Bacteria or yeast are the usual culprits of an external ear infection in your pet. There are other causes as well, though, including wax buildup in the ear canal, matted hair in the ear canal, some type of object that has become lodged in the ear canal or just plain dirt and debris. In rare cases, a tumor or disorder resulting in blocked drainage may be the underlying issue. Ear mite infestation can also cause an infection.
Symptoms: Symptoms of the disorder will be visually obvious; your dog will begin to shake his head, and then scratch at his ears as the infection becomes uncomfortable for him. When examining the ears, the tissues around the outside ear will appear swollen and red. A smelly discharge that may be yellow or black in color could be evident.
Treatment: A veterinarian should be consulted to confirm the diagnosis for your dog; ear infection symptoms can stem from several different causes that need to be narrowed down in order to treat the disorder. An examination of the ear canal and a swab of the ear matter will give the veterinarian the information needed to determine the specific cause for your dog’s condition. It may be a simple matter of a thorough cleaning of the ear if a wax or debris buildup has caused the problem. Medication will likely be prescribed to clear up the infection.
Middle Ear Infection
More serious than the external dog ear infection, the middle ear infection can only be detected and cured by specific treatment by your veterinarian.
Cause: Often, the infection from the external ear canal spreads into the middle ear. It could be a staph infection, strep or pseudomonas infection; the diagnosis of which must be done by a veterinarian.
Symptoms: As the infection progresses, you will likely notice that your dog’s head tilts to one side and that its balance is impaired. The dog’s eyes may shift back and forth. If the infection continues unchecked, facial paralysis may result; affecting the eyes, swallowing abilities and the dog’s facial muscles.
Treatment: For the dog, ear infection will cause a painful and sensitive ear canal, so treating the ear on your own is never recommended. Cleaning the ear canal is first necessary; often, flushing the ear is needed for a complete cleansing. A sample of the ear fluid will be examined to pinpoint the cause of the infection, with medication prescribed to combat it. Your dog may need to be anesthetized for these types of treatments; it is not only uncomfortable but the veterinarian will also need to have the flexibility of moving the dog’s head around freely to efficiently treat them.
Inner Ear Infection
Inner ear infections in dogs are a serious matter. Because both the middle ear and the inner ear control balance as well as hearing capabilities, it is important to have these infections attended to by a veterinarian as soon as possible to avoid further complications. Complete hearing loss, permanent facial paralysis and other neurological problems could result from an extensive and untreated inner dog ear infection.
Cause: As with middle ear infections, inner ear infections are often an extension of an external ear infection; one that has spread further into the ear canal. Certain bacteria are the typical culprits of infections; strep, staph and pseudomonas could be the cause, or it could be a yeast infection such as Candida yeast.
Symptoms:
Because the inner ear is the center of balance and hearing, an infection here will affect your dog’s balance and hearing. As with the other areas of the ear that are affected by infection, you may notice that your dog frequently shakes his head, scratches at its ears, a foul smelling discharge from the ear and may even develop into a facial paralysis when the level of infection increases. The paralysis could manifest in droopy eyes, muscles of the face and also trouble when swallowing.