Dog Otitis Externa Symptoms and Treatments

Dog breeds with hanging ear flaps, such as spaniels or hairy ears such as poodles are particular prone to hot, sticky ear canals that are commonly prone to ear infection, in a condition known as Otitis Externa, and this is one of the most common manifestations of ear allergy in dogs.

These dog breeds with floppy ears are more prone to dog otitis externa, because air flow is limited and a warm, moist environment built up, which is conducive to infection. The external ear in animals is longer and deeper than in humans, which makes it easier for infection or wax to build up and hard to remove.

Complete ear canal inspection requires the use of an otoscope by a veterinarian. Infections are usually secondary to inflammation or to improper grooming techniques. Bacterial and fungal origin, as well as small organisms such as ear mites can cause otitis externa in dog. It can also be cause by foreign bodies such as a grass awn, polyp or tumor.

While Malassezia pachydermatis is a regular fungal agent for ear infections in dogs. Staphylococcus intermedius is the most common bacterial infection. A more serious ear infection, with pus in the ear, may be caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Signs and symptoms of otitis externa in dog include shaking of the head, and scratching at or under the ear. Some animals may also paw the ear or try to rub it on other objects to relieve pain and discomfort. Ear infections generally result in a darker red ear, dirt in the ear, a general inflamed appearance, and odor at the ear hole.

Treatment for dog otitis externa is usually by a combination administration of both ear cleaning and ear medication. Ear cleaning should be demonstrated by a veterinarian, due to the risk of pushing infected material deeper into the ear.

The aim of cleaning is to remove any byproducts of the infection that lead to further pain and uneasiness, and may be in turn cause further infection. Good ear care usually involves cleaning the ear daily, to prevent build-up and bring the infection under control.

Ear medications must be applied after cleaning and drying, and is usually in the form of ear drops or ointment applied daily or twice daily for one or two weeks. The veterinarian must identify the type of infection by examining a sample of ear exudate under a microscope, since bacterial infection will only respond to antibiotics, fungal infection to a fungicide, and ear mites to an insecticide.

With proper treatment and care, canine otitis externa should not be a too difficult problem to tackle.

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