Illnesses involving the ear represent one of the most common reasons that guardians take their dogs to veterinarians. Accordingly, cleaning your dog’s ears regularly is a key part in keeping your dog healthy. Canine ears that are well-looked after are clean, odor-free, pale pink in color and minimal accumulation of wax.
By checking your dog’s ears regularly, you are also more likely to notice if there are any problems your dog may have with his/her ears that may need attention.
Symptoms of Ear Conditions
Canine ears are susceptible to infection and inflammation from a number of different causes. The canine ear is made up of the external ear (externa), the middle ear (media) and the inner ear (interna). Each of these anatomical parts can become inflamed, irritated or infected, causing distinct symptoms which are referred to medically as “otitis” (e.g. otitis externa) which means inflammation of the ear.
Dogs get ear infections, inflammations, microscopic ear mites, fleas, debris and foreign bodies in their ears, which can endanger your dog’s health and hearing. When inspecting your dog’s ears, if you notice any of the following problems, contact your veterinarian:
- Bad, pungeant smells
- Ear discharge
- Redness
- Swelling
- Crusty or flakey skin
- Hair loss
- Cuts and abrasions
- Abnormal lumps or bumps
- Blood from the ears
- Waxy build up (brown or black ear wax or ear wax that is dry and looks like coffee grouds are signs of possible ear mite infestation)
- Thickening (hyperplasia) of the ear flaps
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