What is Otitis Externa?
This is an inflammation of the outer part of the ear, including the ear flap and the ear canal right down to the ear drum. You can see the ear flap and the very top of the ear canal quite easily, but the deep ear canal itself is tricky to see as it’s a horn shaped narrowing tube with a bend towards the ear drum at the bottom.
Why do some dogs get otitis externa?
The L shaped bend in the ear canal of dogs does not help as it helps trap wax and debris but there are some other predisposing factors which mean that some dogs are more prone to this condition than others:
- Certain breeds are more prone, notably those with pendulous floppy ears such as Bassett Hounds and Spaniels and those with hairy ears are also prone such as some of the smaller breeds like poodles and poodle crosses.
- Dogs which swim frequently such as Spaniels and Labradors can get bacteria contaminated water into their ears triggering an infection
- Dogs with underlying allergies to pollens, grasses, house dust and food ingredients can have chronically inflamed red ears as part of their allergy pattern of symptoms
- Foreign bodies such as grass awns can become lodged in the ear canal triggering an infection
- Infestation with ear mites can trigger a problem
What are the symptoms?
- Shaking the head or tilting the head at odd angles
- Scratching at the ears persistently
- Rubbing the ears along the floor
- Red ear flaps and the redness of the visible part of the ear canal
- A bad smell (often a musty yeast like smell)
- A runny discharge from the ear canal which may matt the hair together
- A build up of yellow, brown or black wax at the top of the ear canal
What do I need to do?
You should consult a vet if you think your dog has otitis externa
How can I prevent this happening?
For dogs prone to otitis, regular cleaning with Colloidal Silver Ear Drops For Dogs With Essential Oils should help
- Tim Couzens