Ear infections

An ear infection is an inflammation of the outer ear canal. Inflammation of the skin causes the ear canal to become narrower. This makes it harder for earwax to drain and can make the infection worse.

Lop-eared breeds are more prone to this than prick-eared breeds. This is because little air can get to the hanging ears. The inside of the ears becomes warm and moist faster and thus offers an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, fungi and mites. The breed is also prone to ear infections. Examples of dog breeds that suffer more often are the Cocker Spaniel, Golden Retriever and German Shepherd.

What are the causes of an ear infection?
Bacteria, yeasts and fungi find an ideal environment in which to multiply in the ear. When the dog scratches its ear, it creates wounds in which bacteria, yeast and fungi can continue to multiply.

Ear mites can cause ear infections, it is a highly contagious parasite. The ear mites usually affect both ears, recognizable by the dark earwax.

A foreign object in the ear can also cause an infection. This object irritates the eardrum and can even pierce it. In summer it often happens that a spike of grass lands in the ear and then irritates the hole.

Skin problems like allergies can cause inflammation that can lead to hypersensitivity.

In addition, a polyp can be a cause of an ear infection. A polyp is a small tumor in the animal's ear canal. However, this cause is more common in cats than in dogs.

What are the symptoms?

• Shake your head

• Head tilt (usually associated with an otitis media)

• Itching and scratching in the ear

• thickening of the ear canal

• Painful when ear is touched

• deafness or hearing impairment

• The inside of the ear is red

• Stinking odor from ears

• Brown/black earwax

• Lots of wax

When should I take this to the vet?
An ear infection is very painful for the dog, and the eardrum can also be permanently damaged. The earlier you get there, the lower the risk of serious hearing damage. During the treatment, the dog must visit the veterinarian regularly

How is the treatment?
Treatment depends on the cause. You can opt for treatment using ointments, which come in a variety of forms. The ointments are used to treat redness, bacteria, yeast and mites. If mites or fleas are the cause, an eyedropper can help treat it. Painkillers can also be chosen, these are mainly used if the dog is in enormous pain as a result of the ear infection.

If the earwax needs to be removed, you can use ear cleaners. These cleaners are mainly used when large amounts of earwax have to be removed. If there is a lot of earwax, rinsing can often be a solution. Rinsing allows ointments to develop their effect.

Cutting the hair out of the ear often gives the ear more air and reduces the risk of infection.

What is the prognosis of an ear infection?
The prognosis depends on the cause, but it is also important to know whether the eardrum is damaged or not. Ear infections are treatable, so the outlook is good.

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