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Certain breeds of dogs have problems with reoccurring ear problems. Anatomies that allow the ear canals to stay dark and moist provide the best place for yeast and bacteria to grow.
Breeds with a great deal of hair growing in their ear canals are predisposed since the hair prevents the canals from staying dry and clean. Some breeds are, but not limited to: poodles, Maltese, terriers, and other toy breeds. Mixed breed dogs may also have hairy ears. Keeping this hair removed as part of their routine grooming helps avoid ear infections in these dogs. Dogs with heavy and droopy ears such as spaniels, setters and Bassett hounds seem to be predisposed to having long term (chronic) ear problems. All dogs, not just these mentioned breed mixes benefit from routine cleaning which your veterinarian or veterinary technician will explain and demonstrate for you.
Some of the more common diagnoses of ear problems in dogs include ear mites, yeast infection, bacterial infection, allergic inflammation, genetically narrowed ear canals or a combination of any of the above. Abnormal anatomy of the canal can also occur as a result of chronic infections and inflammation. Low thyroid hormone, a syndrome known as Hypothyroidism, can also be an underlying factor in a dog with reoccurring ear problems.
If ear mites are diagnosed, you should follow the treatment exactly as prescribed by your veterinarian because ear mites are contagious to other animals in the household and potentially to humans. Yeast infections and bacterial infections are common in ear canals that are dark and damp. Therefore, if you bathe your dog or it goes swimming or is outside in the rain it is necessary to use a proper cleaning and drying agent in the ears to prevent infections. If you pet licks its feet and/or scratches and/or rubs its face these may be a sign of allergies and allergic otitis may be seen with these other skin problems or as the only presenting complaint. It is often difficult to diagnose the true underlying allergy. Hypoallergenic food trials and allergy skin testing are often required. Ear cytologies and cultures are needed to diagnoses yeast and bacterial infections that grow on their own or secondarily to the allergies.
If the chronic ear infections do not respond to treatment or if the owner does not follow the veterinarian’s recommendations and the ear infections occur over and over, the ear canals may become so swollen that normal drainage and air circulation to the canal can no longer happen. When this happens an operation called an ear ablation can be performed which will open the ear canal. Long term medical management may still be needed after surgery. The best approach, however, is prevention. Please call to set up a consultation for a thorough ear examination and a discussion of allergies, hypothyroidism, grooming and medicated ear cleaners all as part of a preventative ear care program.
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