Dog Ear Infections: Causes, Treatments & Prevention (Vet Answer)

Did you know that 15% of dogs seen at a veterinary practice have ear disease? While this can be due to various causes, ear infections are arguably at the top of the list and are extremely common. While some dogs may get a rare ear infection, others may be plagued with recurring ones.

There are a variety of reasons why an ear infection may develop; in this article, we’ll discuss these causes as well as some potential treatments and ways to help prevent these frustrating infections altogether!

A Little About Dog’s Ears

A dog’s ear is an organ that consists of the outer, middle, and inner ear which all work together to allow for hearing and balance. An ear infection can occur in any (or all) of these areas, but this article will focus on the very common outer ear infection, also termed “otitis externa.”

The outer ear itself consists of the pinnae (ear flap) and a long “L” shaped ear canal. At the end of the canal is the eardrum (also termed a tympanic membrane) which separates the areas of the outer and middle ear.

Surprisingly, some dogs that have otitis externa will not show outward signs! Luckily, the majority do, and some things to be on the lookout for include:

Causes

Otitis externa in dogs is often caused by many contributing factors. The “PSPP” system is often used by veterinarians for addressing ear infections and stands for “Primary, Secondary, Perpetuating, and Predisposing.” This system can help veterinarians focus on not only the infection itself but also the reasons why it occurred in the first place and the other factors that may allow for the development of the ear infection.1

If you’re concerned about your pet’s well-being, we recommend you contact a veterinarian.

Treatment

When all PSPP systems (see above) that are at play for causing an ear infection are addressed, successful long-term treatment of ear disease can occur.

Some common medications to treat the ear infection itself can include medicated ear cleaners and topical medications such as ear ointments or drops. These products will be prescription based and there are many different brands and types that your veterinarian may recommend. Depending on the type of infection, these topical medications may include various antibiotics, antifungals, steroids, anti-inflammatories, etc.

In more severe or involved cases, systemic drugs may be needed such as oral antibiotics or anti-inflammatories.

The management of allergies will depend not only on the cause but also on how an owner elects to treat them when presented with various options. Some options may include immunotherapy (‘allergy shots’), special diets (hydrolyzed or novel), strict flea prevention, and medical management.

For medical management in the allergic dog (remember, allergies are the most common primary cause of ear infections), certain medications to manage the allergies may be utilized. Drugs such as antihistamines can be attempted, and in severe inflammation or painful cases, steroids may be needed temporarily to provide control. Other long-term medical management may include Apoquel (immunosuppressant tablet), Atopica (immunosuppressant capsule), or Cytopoint (monoclonal antibody injection).

In a small subset of select cases, surgery for tumors, polyps, end-stage ear inflammation with mineralization, or failed medical management, may be needed.

Prevention

Once an infection is resolved, what are some tips for stopping another infection from happening again? Below are some tips a dog owner can try at home.

Conclusion

Ear infections in dogs are fairly common and even some breeds are more prone to ear infections than others; in the event that your dog has one, there can be various causes, each of which will determine specific treatment(s) that your dog’s veterinarian will recommend. However, as always, maintenance and prevention are key to helping your dog’s ears be and stay healthy!

• See Also: Home Management for Your Dog’s Ear Infection: Our Vet Shares Tips & Advice

Featured Image Credit: Pixel-Shot, Shutterstock