Chronic ear infections in dogs can be frustrating, both for you and your furry friend. Understanding the causes, getting the right diagnosis, and knowing how to treat the infection can help your dog feel better and improve their quality of life. Here’s everything you need to know about managing chronic ear infections in dogs.
Causes of Chronic Ear Infections in Dogs
When your dog suffers from repeated ear infections, it’s often a sign of an underlying problem that keeps causing irritation and infection. Understanding these causes will help you manage and prevent future infections, ensuring your dog stays comfortable and healthy. Let’s dive into some of the most common reasons behind chronic ear infections.
Allergies
If your dog has ear infections that seem to happen during spring or fall, seasonal allergies might be to blame. If infections occur year-round, it’s more likely that environmental allergens (like pollen, dust, or mold) or food allergies are the cause.
Foreign Material
When your dog spends time outdoors, grass seeds, dirt, or other debris can easily make their way into the ear canal. These foreign materials can irritate the ear, causing inflammation and providing a breeding ground for bacteria and yeast. This irritation can lead to recurrent infections if not addressed.
Frequent Ear Cleaning or Plucking
While regular ear cleaning is important for your dog’s hygiene, doing it too often can actually cause more harm than good. Excessive cleaning or frequent plucking of ear hair can irritate the ear canal, leading to inflammation and making the ear more susceptible to infection. Over-cleaning also disrupts the ear’s natural balance, which encourages yeast and bacteria growth.
Increased Environmental Temperature and Humidity
Hot and humid environments can contribute to chronic ear infections, particularly in dogs with long or floppy ears. These conditions trap moisture in the ear canal, creating a warm, damp environment that promotes the growth of bacteria and yeast. This moisture buildup can lead to infection if the ears aren’t properly dried.
Suppressed Immune System
A weakened immune system can make it much harder for your dog to fight off infections, including those in the ears. Conditions like hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, and diabetes can suppress your dog’s immune response, leaving them more vulnerable to chronic ear infections.
How are Canine Ear Infections Diagnosed?
If your pup is showing signs of an ear infection, take them to the vet. They will start by asking for a history of your dog’s symptoms and performing a thorough physical exam. This includes taking a close look inside the ear canal to identify any unusual growths, lumps, or signs of infection. Then, your vet will take a sample from inside the ear to check for signs of infection. This sample is usually examined right there in the office to determine if the infection is caused by yeast, bacteria, or ear mites.
In some cases, a more detailed test called a culture and sensitivity may be recommended. For this, the discharge from your dog’s ear is sent to a veterinary laboratory, where it’s cultured to identify the specific bacteria or yeast present. This test is especially helpful in diagnosing chronic ear infections, as it can reveal if your dog has a resistant bacterial infection. The lab results also provide valuable information on which medications will be most effective in treating the infection.
Treating Your Pup’s Chronic Ear Infections
Once you know what’s causing the ear infections, it’s time to tackle the problem with the right treatment. The treatment you choose will likely be different depending on the cause of the ear infections, and you may need to combine several solutions to see results. Here’s how you can help your dog manage and hopefully eliminate those recurring ear infections.
Diet
Diet can play a significant role in preventing ear infections, especially for puppies. Studies have shown that a meat-based, whole-food diet may reduce the likelihood of ear infections later in life. Switching to a high-quality, hypoallergenic dog food may help manage infections related to food allergies.
Grooming
Grooming is crucial for certain breeds, especially those with hair that grows in the ear canal. Regular grooming, including gentle plucking or trimming of ear canal hair, helps increase airflow and prevent infections. Be sure not to over-pluck, as this can irritate the skin and make infections worse.
Increasing Airflow
Dogs with floppy ears are particularly prone to ear infections. This is because their ear canals are closed off and don’t get much airflow. After cleaning Fido’s ears, consider tying them back with specialized tape to help them dry out. Increasing airflow helps reduce moisture in the ear, which lowers Fido’s risk of bacterial and yeast growth.
Medication
For some dogs, medications are often necessary for treating active infections and preventing new ones. Your vet may prescribe a steroid, antifungal, or topical anti-inflammatory medicine, depending on the cause of the issue. While medicine isn’t always prescribed, it’s often the solution for pups prone to recurring ear infections even when other precautions are taken.
Chronic ear infections in dogs can be a challenging issue to manage, but with the right treatment plan, you can help your dog stay comfortable and healthy. Keep an eye on your dog’s ears, and if you notice any signs of trouble, reach out to your vet for guidance. With the proper care, your dog can enjoy healthy ears once again!