Itchy ears in dogs, Unfortunately, there are many reasons why your dog itches his ears. It is up to you to find out the cause so that you can solve the problem correctly. Otherwise, itchy ears in dogs will not only drive you crazy, but you will also go crazy. Although there are many problems in the ears that can cause itching and discomfort, there may also be problems in the ears that are also very painful.
You really won’t know until you take your dog to the vet for a closer examination. While most cases of itchy ears in dogs are benign, they can sometimes indicate something more serious. Something that may even require treatment from your veterinarian. This means that if you notice that your dog scratches his ears a lot, he should never ignore the problem.
Reasons and causes of itchy ears in dogs
The cause of itchy ears in dogs can range from canine bacterial allergies to infections and masses in the ear. It can be difficult to pinpoint a single cause. You will have to do some detective work and observe other symptoms that your dog may show to reduce the cause. If you still don’t know what causes your dog to itch after an inspection, take it to your local veterinarian as soon as possible.
Bacterial or fungal ear infections
A dog can suffer a canine ear infection that can be bacterial or fungal in nature. All dogs naturally have bacteria inside their ears. However, the problem arises when those bacteria or fungi begin to proliferate and grow out of control. Mushrooms such as yeast and other insects love to hide and hang out in dark and warm spaces.
Your dog’s ears create the perfect environment for those little insects to hide and multiply, especially if your dog is exposed to moisture. Moisture is actually one of the main causes of ear infections in dogs and often affects dogs that spend time outdoors, in hot and humid climates, or in those that swim.
These dogs may be more vulnerable to an ear infection than dogs that stay dry and live in colder environments. Keep in mind that ear infections manifest most commonly in one ear and not both.
Canine yeast infections are particularly irritating and will cause your dog’s ears to become irritated like crazy. You may also notice a funky smell in your dog’s ears, or notice scabs and a waxy residue near the ear opening.
When a yeast infection is bad, you may notice a discharge from the ear that looks brown, yellow, or bloody. Fungal infections should never be ignored because they can cause significant damage and even cause deafness.
Itchy ears in dogs
Sometimes middle ear infections can occur. When they do, they can spread and cause problems with your dog’s inner ear. This can unbalance your dog and trigger other behaviors such as strange eye movements or walking in circles.
A dog can also have ear infections in both ears at the same time, which is usually caused by allergies or ear mites, not moisture.
Occasionally, dogs can also develop bacterial infections, either along with yeast infection or instead of a yeast infection. Dogs with allergies or a pre-existing yeast problem may be more likely to develop a bacterial infection.
Dogs that trap foreign bodies and debris trapped in their ears may also be more prone to bacterial infections. Bacterial infections often develop along with another health problem, so it is important to reduce the origin of your dog’s hearing problems so that he can treat your dog effectively and relieve not only his itching and infection but all that caused the bacterial infection in the first place.
Parasite infestation
Dogs are attractive hosts for many different types of parasites. Yeast and bacteria are not the only ones who love them. The parasites that most often attack a dog’s ears are mites. Canine ear mites are small parasites that can wreak havoc on your dog’s ear, cause significant irritation and trigger an infection if not addressed immediately.
Ear mites are also transmitted from one side to another among other domestic pets very easily, so if you suspect that your dog has ear mites, you can be reasonably sure that the rest of the family’s pets also can get them.
This is one of the reasons why it is important to treat ear mites as soon as you know that your dog is infected with them. It’s something like people with lice. You don’t want to wait because the problem will get worse and spread.
It is easy to detect a dog with ear mites due to a dark discharge leaking from the ear and the strong smell that comes with it. The discharge can be waxy and even cause an obstruction in the air channel. An obstruction can cause more discomfort and irritation.
Sometimes, dogs can break blood vessels in the ear due to vigorous itching. This can cause painful swelling and may even need surgery. Of course, there are also other parasites, such as fleas, ticks, and scabies mites. Although these can also cause itchy ears in dogs, ear mites tend to be the most problematic.
Allergies and allergic skin diseases
Sometimes, dogs suffer from allergies and can affect the ears and cause canine inflammation. It could be an allergy to something you have eaten, something in the environment, or something you have inhaled from the air like cigarette smoke or pollen. This allergic reaction can affect both your skin and your ears.
You may notice that your dog’s ears secrete a waxy discharge. Allergic skin disease can affect a dog at any age, although it often seems to affect younger dogs, usually between the ages of one and three.
Allergens can be anything in a dog’s environment, from carpet cleaners and laundry soaps to outdoor allergens such as grasses, weeds, and pollen, to allergies to canine foods and reactions to ingredients in your croquette dog.
Some dogs may also be allergic to fleas, or more specifically to flea saliva. All these allergens can cause a reaction in a dog with sensitivity to them, and itchy ears in dogs is usually a telltale symptom.
Trauma and Injuries
Sometimes, a dog can suffer some type of injury or trauma to the ear that can cause itchy ears in dogs. In other cases, you may have some kind of foreign body trapped in your ear, especially if you are outside a lot. Common foreign objects that cause dog problems in your ears are grass awnings and foxtails. A dog can even have small twigs trapped and trapped in its ear.
Unless the object is found and removed before, it can cause enough damage before being treated. Every time a dog suffers some type of cut or ear injury, it is susceptible to infection. All these things can make your dog scratch like crazy in an effort to find relief.
Auditory masses and bruises
Sometimes, a dog can develop some kind of mass in his ear. This can be very uncomfortable and even painful. The masses include polyps, canine tumors, and bruises. Hematomas are like a large blister of blood in a dog’s ear
Hearing bruises often recur, so if your dog has one once, he can have one again. If your dog is prone to ear infections, polyps can be very common. Tumors and cancer in the ear are less common but not unknown.
The symptoms of ear itching in dogs
The symptoms that a dog may experience along with itchy ears may vary depending on the root cause of the itch. You can observe strange behaviors such as your dog shakes his head a lot and scratches his ears.
In some cases, you may notice an inflammation, along with some kind of funky discharge from the ear. This discharge can be brown, black, yellow or bloody. Hair loss is also quite common.
The smell can also be a problem, especially with yeasts or bacterial infections. If your dog suffered an injury, you may notice scabs or small cuts and abrasions in your dog’s ear.
The lumps and stuff may be visible if your dog has some kind of auditory mass that causes itchy ears. With serious ear problems, your dog may lose his hearing completely, especially if the problem is not detected early.
Treat itchy ears in dogs from home
Although you can’t really prevent things like hearing masses or ear injuries, there are some things you can do to help keep your dog’s ears clean and free of infections or allergens. Checking your dog’s ears is something you should do at least once a week to make sure the entire interior looks healthy, clean and slightly pink. There should be no funky odors or weird discharge.
In addition to checking your dog’s ears, you should clean them, especially if your dog is particularly prone to ear infections. At a minimum, you should clean your dog’s ears at least once every few weeks. However, talk to your veterinarian, as your dog may require more frequent cleanings depending on its history.
It is also important to keep your dog’s ears properly prepared, especially if it is a long-haired breed. The hairs can grow or get stuck in the ear canal and create problems for your dog, especially if moisture is also trapped inside. Once moisture enters, the hairs found there can become a breeding ground for yeast and bacteria.
Also, while these methods are useful for maintaining the health of your dog’s ears, you should always consult with a veterinarian if you think there is something that is very wrong or that your dog is itchy more than normal.
Treat itchy ears in dogs at the veterinarian
If you find that domestic administrations do not work and you need to take your dog to the veterinarian, be sure to give them a complete medical history for your dog. They will want to know when the itching began, what has changed since they noticed the itching and any other symptoms that your dog may be presenting. You never know what could be related to your itching.
They will also want to know what your normal home care routine is for your dog’s ears and they may want to know if they use any type of medication or treatment. A physical exam will also be necessary, not only for your dog’s ears but for your entire body.
This is because the itchy ears could be a symptom of something more systemic. If your dog’s ears secrete some kind of secretion, your veterinarian may also want to analyze that and extract cultures from him.
Itchy ears in dogs
For a dog that is taken to a veterinarian with severe pain due to a foreign body in the ear, anesthesia may be necessary so that he can be comfortable before the veterinarian removes the offensive object. Putting your dog under will also allow the veterinarian to clean your dog’s ears completely and remove any additional liquid or debris that may contribute to your dog’s discomfort.
One thing you should also keep in mind is that if your dog has some kind of auditory mass, such as polyps or a tumor, a biopsy may be necessary. This is to make sure the tissue is not cancerous and to help determine the course of treatment.
If your veterinarian suspects that allergies may be the problem, a food elimination diet is recommended to reduce what could be causing your dog’s allergic reaction. In some cases, allergy tests may be ordered to determine the environmental factors that could be causing your dog’s irritation.
Although there are several reasons why a dog itches its ears, most of them are not too serious, as long as they are approached immediately. The key is to pay attention to your dog’s behavior so that he recognizes when something is off and can find the right treatment for itchy ears in dogs.
