Otitis externa, commonly referred to as an "ear infection", is an ear condition characterized by inflammation of the external ear canal. It is particularly prevalent in dogs with long, floppy ears. Ear infections represent one of the top 10 reasons dogs present to veterinarians and may affect up to 20 percent of dogs.
Infections are caused by fungus, bacteria or parasites. Laboratory tests can help to determine the underlying cause of the infection.
Several factors may predispose dogs to ear infections, including:
Long floppy ears
Abnormal ear conformation or anatomy
Water or hair in the ears
Allergies
Trauma
Tumors
Foreign material in the ears
Parasites
Autoimmune disease
Generalized skin disease
Ear infections can occur in dogs of any age breed or sex. Dogs predisposed to otitis externa include those with genetic predispositions to abnormal ear canals, such as the Chinese shar-pei chow chows and English bulldogs; breeds with hair in the ears like poodles and terriers; dogs with pendulous pinnae such as the cocker spaniel and Springer spaniels; or outside and working dogs that are exposed to water or foreign bodies. Infections are most common in humid environments or during the summer months.
What to Watch For
Common signs of an infection include:
Scratching or rubbing the ears
Head shaking
An abnormal odor or discharge from the ear
Pain when you manipulate the ear
Redness and swelling of the external ear canal
