Otitis in Dogs - Symptoms and Treatment

Content

• Canine Otitis Symptoms
• Causes and risk factors
• Diagnosis of canine otitis
• Canine Otitis Treatment
• Canine Otitis Prevention

Otitis in dogs it is one of the most common diseases in dogs and, for that very reason, it is one of the main causes of veterinary consultation, that's why we created this article by PeritoAnimal to clarify your doubts.

Otitis is the ear canal inflammation and it can occur for different causes such as allergies, parasites, foreign bodies in the ear, etc. Although it may not be infectious, it is almost always accompanied by ear infections, either because early ear infections cause later infections or because the infections have evolved into ear infections.

Canine Otitis Symptoms

The symptoms may appear suddenly or gradually. In dogs with otitis you may notice one or more of the following symptoms:

• Irritation or inflammation of the ear or ear canal.
• The dog rubs its head or face frequently.
• Constant scratching of the ears (can be very intense).
• Shakes your head frequently or keeps your head tilted.
• Wax plugs or excess wax in the ear canal.
• Ulcers or scars on the ears.
• Hair loss on or around ears.
• Secretions from the ear canal.
• Loss of balance.
• Walk in circles.
• Decrease or loss of hearing.
• Bad smell in the ears.
• Pain in or around the ears.
• Depression or irritability.
• Thickening of the auditory pinna.

Causes and risk factors

Otitis in dogs can have different causes, from other health problems to small bodies that enter the ear. The factors that cause this disease are:

• Infection-friendly environment. The dog's ear canal is moist and warm, providing an environment conducive to the growth of fungi and bacteria. Under normal conditions, the body keeps these pathogens away, but hormonal changes, allergies, or additional moisture can break this balance and allow infections to develop.
• parasites. External parasites such as mites and fleas cause irritation and damage to tissues, in addition to promoting wax secretion. The dog, when scratching itself, also hurts its ears and ear canals. The result is inflammation and infection of the shingles.
• foreign objects. Small objects that enter the dog's ear canal cause irritation that leads to inflammation and infection. Usually these objects are seeds or plant parts that cling to the dog's fur and some get into the ear. Objects can also enter when trying to clean the dog's ear without knowing how to do it.
• Allergies. Dogs with allergies often develop ear infections. Allergies change the environment of the ear canal and favor the development of secondary infections caused by fungi or bacteria. In these cases, allergies must be treated in addition to infections.
• Trauma. Ear damage due to trauma can lead to infections and ear infections. Trauma can be caused by the dog itself scratching or rubbing itself, by fights with other dogs or other animals, or by accidents. It can also happen to clean the ear if you are not careful.
• Hormonal Imbalances. Like allergies, hormonal imbalances can make the environment within the ear canal favorable for the growth of fungi and bacteria.
• other causes. Other causes of otitis in dogs include hereditary factors that predispose to the disease, polyps and tumors.

This disease can occur in any dog, but those most at risk of suffering from it are:

• Dogs with chronically wet ear canals (dogs that bathe frequently).
• Dogs with abundant hair inside the ear canal (Poodles, Schnauzers and Terriers).
• Dogs with drooping ears, because this makes it difficult to ventilate the ear canal (Bulldogs, Golden Retrievers, Labradors, Basset Hounds, Beagles, etc.).
• Dogs with narrow (stenotic) ear canals, like the Shar Pei.

Diagnosis of canine otitis

The veterinarian observes the inside the ear canal with an otoscope to look for physical causes of inflammation (foreign bodies, tumors, etc.) and to determine existing damage. He also used to take samples exudate from the ear to observe under a microscope or to make bacterial or fungal cultures if necessary.

The dog's history is also helpful in diagnosis as it helps determine the causes of ear infections. So the veterinarian can get an idea if there is trauma, hereditary factors, allergies, or other factors involved. If your veterinarian thinks that your ear is caused by another health condition, they will most likely order other tests, which may include biopsies, x-rays, CT scans, neurological studies, hormone tests, and allergy testing.

Canine Otitis Treatment

Otitis is usually easy to diagnose and treat, but it is very important to get it done in time. Puppies that are not treated or are treated too late can develop serious problems and even die from infections.

Initial treatment usually consists of cleaning the ear and administering steroids to decrease inflammation. This usually goes hand in hand with administering an antibiotic in the case of bacterial infection, an antimycotic in the case of a yeast infection, or an insecticidal substance safe for the dog in the case of an external parasite infestation.

If the ear canal is completely blocked by inflammation and tissue growth, surgery is often the only option.

When otitis is a consequence of other illnesses, such as allergies or hormonal problems, it is necessary to follow a specific treatment for these illnesses.

If otitis is detected and treated in time when only the outer area of ​​the ear is affected (otitis externa), the prognosis is very good.On the contrary, when the disease has affected the middle ear or the inner ear, the prognosis is more reserved and the dog may lose its hearing ability.

Canine Otitis Prevention

if you want to avoid otitis in dogs, it is recommended that you take the following precautions:

• Check your dog's ears every week for a discharge, foul odor, swelling, or other signs of infection.
• If your dog swims frequently, has floppy ears, or a history of ear infections, it's a good idea to clean his ears frequently. Cleaning is done only through the outside of the ear with cotton balls moistened with a cleaning substance that your veterinarian recommends (never use alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or anything else). Make sure you don't introduce anything into your puppy's ear canal (do not use the cotton swabs).
• If you have to clean your puppy's ears, ask the vet to show you how to do it. Please don't do it without knowing the proper way.
• In case of any symptoms of otitis or ear infection, consult your veterinarian immediately.

This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.