by Audrey Harvey, DVM

Does your dog suffer from chronic ear infections? Did you know that the food your dog eats might be the to blame?

Food allergies are often the culprit in cases of otitis (ear inflammation). Otitis or conjunctivitis could also be associated with atopy (allergies to inhaled dusts and pollens).

Let’s start with the ears. In one study, researchers examined 100 dogs with chronic ear problems to try and work out why they kept developing these infections. Of those 100 dogs, 43 of them were found to have underlying allergies that were the primary cause of their otitis. Although 100 dogs isn’t a large number of animals to survey, the results do indicate that allergies are a major cause of chronic ear problems in our dogs.

These allergies cause inflammation of the skin inside your dog’s ear canal, which will make him shake his head and scratch his ear. This inflammation allows bacteria and fungi to multiply and cause a secondary infection. The inflammation also causes his ear canal to thicken which prevents air circulation and provides a warm moist environment for the infection to flourish.

What does this mean for you? It means that if your dog has ongoing or recurring ear problems, you are not likely to clear these up by just treating him with ear drops. Drops will kill the infection, but unless you manage his underlying allergies, his ears will be sore again soon after you stop the medication.

Here are some guidelines for managing your dog’s chronic ear infection and inflammation.

1.    Make an appointment with your vet to have his ears examined thoroughly, including looking at the discharge from his ear under a microscope.

2.    Use an appropriate antibiotic or antifungal ear drop to get the secondary infections under control.

3.    Treat any allergies. This often means using medication such as corticosteroids or antihistamines to stop the itch and reduce the inflammation. However, it is vital that you start a food trial to rule out food allergies, and consider allergy testing to see if he’s sensitive to any environmental allergens.

4.    When his ear infection is under control, continue to manage his allergies, but start using the Ear Aid two part program to keep his ears clean and healthy. Firstly, wipe his ear clean with Ear Wipes. They contain colloidal silver which will suppress any bacterial growth. Follow this with Ear Clear drops. Their herbal ingredients will soothe and heal sore ears, while helping to prevent bacterial infections.

Allergic conjunctivitis is another common problem for dogs that suffer from atopy.  It is usually seen in conjunction with itchy ears, itchy skin and feet, and sneezing, however, it is possible for allergic dogs just to have itchy eyes and show none of these other symptoms.

Conjunctivitis associated with atopy tends to affect both eyes at the same time. These poor dogs have very itchy eyes, and rub their face along the ground to try and get relief. They often rub away the hair from around their eyes. If you pull their lower eyelids down, their conjunctiva is usually very red and inflamed. They tend to have watery eyes, but as with ears, it’s common for a secondary bacterial infection to occur. This leads to that familiar yellowish sticky discharge which needs frequent cleaning.

Treatment of allergic conjunctivitis is similar to that of any other allergies. Firstly, treat the secondary infection. Clean any discharge away with Eye Pads; they are safe, gentle and they will inhibit further growth of bacteria. You may need to apply specific antibiotic eye ointment if it is prescribed by your vet. Make sure you add Eyemunity powder to your dog’s diet. It will boost his immune system and help him fight off those bacterial invaders.

It’s often very hard to keep your dog away from dusts and pollens that he may be sensitive to, so treating atopic conjunctivitis relies on desensitization and medication to keep it under control.

If your dog has recurring ear infections, or constantly watery eyes, consider an underlying allergy as the cause.

 Audrey Harvey is a veterinarian who has worked in small animal practice for 20 years, and has been involved in teaching and competing in dog obedience and agility. She is passionate about preventative health care in dogs, particularly obesity management and the prevention of boredom related behavioral problems. Audrey lives in Brisbane Australia, and shares her couch with an Australian Cattle Dog, an Australian Working Kelpie and two Whippets.

When a dog has an ear irritation, he will shake his head, scratch his ear and even rub the side of his face along the ground. As you can imagine, this can cause trauma to the flap of his ear, which is also known as the pinna.  The inside of the pinna can become quite red and inflamed and, in extreme cases, this scratching may lead to development of a hematoma or blood blister.

A hematoma occurs when a blood vessel between the skin and the cartilage on the pinna becomes broken. The ear flap becomes swollen with blood, and is very uncomfortable. Your dog is then even more likely to scratch and shake his ears.

Hematomas are most likely to occur secondary to infection or allergies in the ear canal. Your vet won’t have any trouble confirming the diagnosis of a hematoma; the swollen pinna is a giveaway.

Treating a Hematoma

How your vet treats a hematoma depends to a large extent on its size. If it is only a small blood blister, your vet may decide it can be left alone. The blood in the pinna will clot and shrink, and your dog’s ear may become crinkled. This is called a “cauliflower ear”; it doesn’t cause your dog any problems at all, but it may look a little odd.

It is very important that the underlying cause of the hematoma is treated. Most dogs that develop a hematoma have a chronic ear problem that has gone undetected for some time. If this isn’t managed properly, your dog will continue to scratch, and things may go from bad to worse.

Larger hematomas respond best to surgery.  The blood is drained from the ear flap and stitches are placed through the pinna to hold it together while it heals. The ear may then be bandaged to your dog’s head, which will look quite funny for a little while.

How to Prevent a Hematoma

Prevention is better than cure, so if you can avoid your dog developing an annoying unsightly hematoma, he will be much happier.

Here are the steps you can take to prevent a hematoma developing:

1.       Stay on top of your dog’s allergies. The skin in his ear canal is very similar to the skin on his body, so if he’s scratching himself a bit, it’s worth having a quick look in his ears to make sure they’re not also affected. If they’re red, smelly or the skin is thickened, it’s time to have them looked at by your vet.

2.       At the first sign of ear irritation, make an appointment with your vet for a check-up.  By doing that, you’ll prevent any infections becoming more serious, and stop your dog scratching at his ears. This reduces the likelihood of him breaking a blood vessel in his pinna.

3.       Preventative care of his ears is critical. An ideal product to keep his ears healthy is Ear Aid. Clean his ears regularly with Ear Wipes to remove any dirt and wax. They contain colloidal silver and witch hazel to cleanse his ear canals, and prevent the growth of bacteria.  When this is done, apply Ear Clear drops to his ear to soothe and heal any ear inflammation. By following this regime twice weekly, you’ll help prevent any irritation that may lead to hematoma development.

Photo by Jenna Krabacher.  Haleigh, the dog in the photo, used to have ear infections. Read how Haleigh got rid of her ear infections at the end of this article.

By Dr. Kimberly Luce , DVN

Some dogs are prone to ear infections and there are many causes so sometimes it’s hard to pinpoint what the problem is.

In fact, most ear infections or problems are actually not a primary illness, but are actually a consequence of another illness, such as allergies to food or air allergens like pollen, dirty moist ears, floppy ear anatomy that traps moisture  (after a bath, a swim, or a rainy day), immune suppression or other problems.  Dirty, moist ears that you don’t see into, or underlying allergies, are the most frequent causes.

Many dogs have ear problems chronically, and home care may be the mainstay of treatment to keep your dogs ears healthy.  Unfortunately, some dogs require surgery to “cure” their chronic discomfort.  This can be a very good solution, but may be avoidable with good home care and cleaning techniques. Often, dogs with recurrent ear problems see the vet frequently. Medication may be required, and the dogs are clearly very uncomfortable. 

Common symptoms include scratching at the ears, shaking the head, rubbing the ears or head on the ground, an unpleasant odor, whining, or not allowing their beloved owner to touch the ear!

Ear infections typically occur because

1. Moisture remains in the ears and can allow bacteria and yeast to thrive. Preventing the accumulation of moisture and keeping the ear canals dry can help reduce the severity and frequency of chronic ear infections and may even prevent them.

2. Dogs with floppy ears are most likely to develop ear infections because their ears cover the ear canal, which traps the moisture from a rainy day, humidity or a good swim. These breeds need special attention. You should lift any type of dog’s ears frequently and look at the ear “flap” (pinna) and the external canal. It should appear pink, clean, have mild or no debris or discharge, and feel comfortable when you touch or rub the ear.
Treatment of ear problems can involve many complex diagnostic tests, medications, and home care.  This can be very frustrating, and often, adequate home care can prevent the necessity for medication or testing. Ear care at home is usually fundamental to the prevention, control, and care of problem ears.  Keeping the ears clean and dry is very helpful, and can be done safely with proper technique and specific products that are labeled for use in the ear.  Other products or remedies can actually damage the ear, and hearing, severely.  Only products that are labeled for use in the ear should be used to clean and care for the ears.
A great home care kit is the EAR AID.  These products are designed to work together to gently clean ears and treat abnormal populations of bacteria and yeast, and may be very helpful for your dog’s ear problems.
 
Keep your dogs ears clean with specific ear cleaners, dry with drying agents and be sure to lift the ear flap every week and look inside the ear them for dirt, excess wax or early problems.  If keeping the ears clean and dry at home is not enough, see your veterinarian.

Dr. Kimberly Luce graduated from the North Carolina State College of veterinary Medicine in 1994.  Since then she has worked in general practice, emergency and critical care, and with board certified specialists in a variety of fields such as Internal Medicine, Surgery, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Neurology, Radiology and Acupuncture.  Her passions are critical care and pain management, and her broad knowledge base give her a special , holistic and comprehensive point of view of her patients.   She currently resides in Santa Monica, CA with two chihuahuas, two cats, two baby turtles and a betta!  Her favorite grooming products are the happytails ear wipes and the Dry Dog Instant Clean.

“My baby girl had horrible ear problems. They would itch and she would get infections in them all the time. The medicine the vet gave us had a strong, medicinal odor and she hated it. She would run every time she saw the bottle.  So I ordered the ear wipes  by happytails to see if it would help.Her ears are really bad and I truly did …not expect much but I had to try something.To our wonderful surprise after about a week of daily cleansing her ears look wonderful! They do not bother her at all and you would never know she had such problems with them. And she does not run from me when it’s time to clean her ears!  The pads have a very soothing smell that we both love and I am so grateful I found your products. Thank you so much!”

Photo by Nikki Figular

Under normal circumstances, your dog’s ears shouldn’t smell bad at all. They shouldn’t be red, or itchy, or have a discharge. If your dog shows any of these symptoms, his ears need attention.

Up Close And Personal

One of the most enjoyable aspects of owning a dog is always having something to cuddle. It’s not so nice cuddling them when their ears are stinky.

Foul smelling ears are an indication that something isn’t quite right in the ear canals. When you bathe or groom your dog, it’s important that you get close to his ears and have a sniff. Identifying problems early will allow you to start treating the ears straight away, and have him feeling more comfortable very quickly.

Ear mites can cause a bad smell in the ears, as well as an obvious build up of dark crumbly material. They also make the ears extremely itchy, and are easily spread from one dog to another. If they’re not treated, a secondary infection can develop, which hurts and can be more difficult to resolve. You can easily treat ear mites by using an insecticidal ear drop from your veterinarian.

Ears that don’t dry out very well are a perfect environment for bacterial growth and infection, and the resultant bad smell. Examples are dogs with floppy ears which don’t allow air circulation, and even dogs who swim frequently. These dogs benefit from using a product that dries up excess moisture in the ear canal.

The third main cause of smelly ears is skin allergies. Irritation and inflammation of the skin due to allergies also extends to the ear canal. Your dog will dig and scratch at his ear with his foot, desperately trying to relieve the itch. These allergies lead to secondary infection with bacteria and fungi, which is also itchy, painful, and smelly. Smelly ears are often related to an allergy to food, or to dusts and pollens in the environment.

Get Some Fresh Air Into Those Ears

You can tackle your dog’s stinky ears by treating the cause of the smell, which is usually an     infection. To do this, you’ll need to take your dog to your vet for an ear exam. She’ll take a sample of his ear discharge and examine it to identify the bacteria that’s causing the problem. She’ll then clean the ears and prescribe an appropriate antibiotic, and also some pain relief.

You’ll still need to deal with the primary problem. If your dog is a water baby, then make sure you clean and dry his ears after he swims. If the infection was caused by ear mites, your vet will advise you on what to use to kill them. If he has allergies, it’s a good idea to start a food trial to rule out any food sensitivity. Your vet may prescribe anti-itch medication such as Benadryl to stop him scratching and traumatizing his ears, and encouraging further infection.

Ear Clear is a useful tool to have in your arsenal for treating ear infections. It’s an all natural product, containing antimicrobial herbs and tea tree oil, and will help to reduce any infection and swelling in your dog’s ear canal. Extra virgin olive oil will soothe the ear canal, and help break up any wax accumulation. Finally, lavender oil is anti-bacterial and anti-itch, and makes your dog’s ears smell a lot more pleasant.

A bad smell means that something is wrong in the ears, and that something usually hurts. Treating the cause of the smell will not only have you snuggling up to your dog again, but will have him feeling more comfortable. That’s a win-win situation for both of you.

One of the most common reasons for a dog to visit their veterinarian is an ear infection. In fact, ear infections are the #1 reason why people take their dog’s to the vet.

The skin lining a dog’s ear canal is very similar to that on his body, which means that anything that affects his skin, may also have an effect on his ears. Any changes in the ear canal skin can allow bacteria and fungi to multiply and cause infection. Your dog will scratch his ear, shake his head and cry. If you look inside his ear, it’s often red, it may smell bad, and in some cases, you’ll see a discharge around the opening of his ear canal.

Ear Ye! Ear Ye!

There are several causes of ear infections in dogs.

• The first is the conformation of a dog’s ear. Floppy ears, such as those belonging to Cocker Spaniels and similar breeds, are particularly prone to infection. This happens because the pendulous flaps keep the canals moist, and prevent air circulation in the ears. The result is a warm moist canal that allows the growth of bacteria and fungi.

• Medical conditions can also predispose to ear disease. Illnesses, particularly hormone disorders such as an under active thyroid gland , can lead to changes in the skin lining the ear canal, and a similar secondary infection.

• A third cause of ear problems in dogs is allergies. Allergic reactions to food, or to dusts and pollens, can not only make a dog’s body itchy, but can cause redness, irritation and inflammation in his ear canal.

• It’s still possible for dogs without any of these conditions to have ear problems - examples are dogs who swim regularly, or those who have very hairy ear canals. In both cases, the result is moisture in the ear canal, and infection.

Sore Ears Can Stick Around

Unfortunately, ear infections can be difficult to clear up, and may last several weeks. These more chronic infections are most likely to be caused by allergies, or by floppy ears.

You’ll need to visit your vet to determine the underlying cause of your dog’s ear infection. He’ll look at the shape of his ears, and examine his outer ear canal. He’ll then look inside his canal with an otoscope, and have a close look at a sample of discharge under a microscope. This sample can tell him if there are any parasites present, and what bacteria and fungi are present. Depending on what he finds, he may recommend the sample be sent to a laboratory to find out what antibiotics could be used to kill the infection.

There are three steps to treating a chronic ear infection:

1 Clean the ear gently, to remove any discharge in the canal. Clip the hair around the opening of the ear canal to allow air to circulate. Try all natural Ear Wipes to make the job easier.

2. Regularly use a product that dries out the canal. This helps prevent a moist environment which, as we’ve already seen, allows bacteria and fungi to multiply.

3. Use a suitable antibiotic or anti-inflammatory ear drop as prescribed by your veterinarian, to kill the infection and ease your dog’s discomfort. In some cases, your vet may recommend antibiotic tablets as well as drops .

Chronic ear infections can really rack up the vet bills. In order to keep those infections at bay, try an all natural, over the counter solution like Ear Aid - a two step process that both cleans and deodorizes, heals and protects your dog’s ears. If it works on your dog, you’ll save fortunes!

Keep It Clean

If your dog’s chronic ear infection is caused by an allergy, your vet will help you take steps to keep it under control.

However, if his ear problem is caused by floppy ears, or regular swimming, keeping it clean and dry will make it less likely that bacteria will grow in his ear, and less likely that he’ll develop an infection.

Although ear infections are common, using Ear Aid regularly will keep your dog’s ears healthy and pain free. ‘Ear ‘Ear!!