Ear Infections in Dogs

Symptoms of Ear Infections in Dogs

Introduction

Ear infections and inflammation are extremely common in domestic dogs. In fact, they are among the most common reasons that owners take their dogs to the veterinarian. The symptoms of ear irritation are not difficult to detect.

Symptoms Ear Infections

Dogs with infected, inflamed or otherwise irritated ears have a number of classic symptoms, which can come on slowly or suddenly. Owners of dogs with ear irritation, from whatever cause, typically notice one or more of the following:

Head/face rubbing
Ear scratching (usually intense and vigorous)
Head shaking
Discharge from one or both external ear canals
Waxy build-up in one or both ears
Swollen ears
Head tilt
Hearing loss or deficit (not responding to normal sounds)
Red skin (erythema) on, in or around the ear flaps (pinnae)
Ulcers or skin erosions on, in or around the ears (often weeping or crusty sores)
Hair loss on, in or around the ears
Thickening (hyperplasia) of the ear flaps (pinnae)
Signs of pain when the ears are touched or manipulated

Dogs at Increased Risk

There is no particular age, breed or gender predisposition for canine ear disorders. However, dogs with chronically wet ear canals, such as those that are used for hunting or retrieving in wet conditions and those that swim or are frequently bathed, have an increased risk of developing ear infections. Dogs that commonly have their ear hair plucked during grooming are also predisposed to having ear problems, because when the hairs are pulled out, serum oozes out of the pores and provides an excellent medium for bacterial overgrowth. Poodles, Schnauzers and some other breeds (especially Terriers) have an increased incidence of ear infection for this reason. Dogs with pendulous ears, such as Bulldogs, Chow Chows, Shar-Peis, Cocker Spaniels, Springer Spaniels, Bloodhounds and Basset Hounds, tend to have tightly-closed (stenotic) ear canals, which raises the risk of ear inflammation and infection. Other dogs with long, low-set ears also tend to be prone to developing ear infections.