Dog ears come in shapes and sizes; however, they have different structures than human ears. They have a long, vertically, and horizontally separated ear canal. This creates a shape that is more prone to retaining dirt, which may cause dog problems with their ears.
The puppies and dogs of the world can suffer an ear infection for various reasons. An issue often hinders the ear’s normal protection barrier from working correctly. If the ear becomes irritated or wet, it’s easy for yeast or bacteria to grow and cause an infection.
Dog Ear infections require medical attention by a vet. After inspecting your pet, the vet will determine if further home remedies are necessary. To determine the best course to take, the vet will likely need to examine the earwax and scan your pet’s ears.
Causes of Dog Ear Infections
Many different causes can cause ear infections in dogs. If your dog constantly suffers from an ear infection, it could be a root cause that causes the condition to return. There are several possible causes of recurring ear infections in your dog.
Bacterial and Yeast Infections
The natural yeast in your dog’s ear typically grows due to allergies, which can lead to yeast-related infections. The growth of bacteria in the ear, usually caused by a wax accumulation of moisture, is the cause of bacterial infections.
Dogs suffering from yeast or bacterial problems in their ears often display symptoms like excessive scratching and itching around the ears. The signs include the appearance of a brown or red discharge or a crusty ear.
Food or Environmental Allergies
Ear infections are common among dogs who have allergies to food or the environment. About half of the dogs suffering from food sensitivities or skin allergies can develop an ear infection at some point throughout their lives. Most dogs are sensitive to proteins like lamb, chicken, milk products, cows, and eggs. Visit a veterinary website’s home page for more information.
Mass in the Ear Canal
A tumor or tumor could cause recurrent ear infections in dogs within the ear canal. Ceruminous gland adenomas, polyps, and adenocarcinomas are typical ear canal tumors. They are usually associated with swelling, an unpleasant smell, ear itching or a waxy discharge from the ear of one, and head shaking.
Water in the Ear Canal
The ear canal’s moisture can trigger bacteria to grow, which could lead to an infection. To prevent the accumulation of water in your dog’s ear after exposure to smoke, ensure that they dry their ears correctly. Click this link to get additional information.
Ear Mites and Parasites
Your dog’s ears will be itchy due to ear mites and parasites such as ticks. They often shake their heads and scratch their ears due to this. Along with producing wax and causing irritation, which can lead to an infection, ear mites may cause their ears to become swollen, red, and irritated.
Wax Buildup
Wax is evident in our ears and our dog’s ears. However, an over-accumulation of wax could cause obstruction, reduce the flow of air, and can even trigger the ear to become infected. The two leading causes for the increase in wax production are ear mites and allergies.
Autoimmune Disease
While they’re not common conditions where the immune system attacks healthy cells, they can lead to inflammation and infection of your dog’s ear canals. This includes vasculitis, pemphigus, or lupus. Consult a specialist to know more about dog skin care.
