Overview of Canine Ear Dermatitis

Dermatitis involving the ear is an inflammation of the pinna (external part of the ear lying outside of the head). There are a variety of causes of ear dermatitis, ranging from infections to parasites to trauma causes problems in dogs. 

Causes of Canine Ear Dermatitis

Causes of Canine ear dermatitis may include: 

Infectious Causes

Bacterial

Parasitic – Mange (demodectic, otodectic, sarcoptic and notoedric) and ringworm

Immune Causes

Allergy (food, contact)

Drug reaction

Cold Agglutinin Disease

Pemphigus

Trauma

Lacerations, burns, chemical injury

Secondary to disorders within the ear (foreign body, tumor, etc…)

Systemic Causes

Hypothyroidism

Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing’s disease)

Cancer

Miscellaneous Causes

Solar (sun-related) dermatitis

Frostbite

Fly strike

Seborrhea (dry, scaly skin)

Since there are so many different causes of ear dermatitis, diagnosis, treatment and affect on the animal will vary.

What to Watch For

Signs of dermatitis of the ears in dogs may include: 

Head shaking

Scratching and rubbing of ears

Pain around the ears

Hair loss on the pinna

Malodorous ears

Bleeding

Diagnosis of Ear Dermatitis in Dogs

Baseline tests, including a complete blood count (CBC), biochemical profile and urinalysis, are usually within normal limits. Additional tests may be necessary to determine the underlying cause of the ear dermatitis in dogs. Commonly recommended tests may include: 

Skin scrapings

Allergy testing

Fungal culture

Bacterial culture

Endocrine testing

Cytology

Biopsy

Treatment of Ear Dermatitis in Dogs

The treatment in dogs depends on the underlying disorder.

Antibiotics/antifungal medicine to treat infectious causes

Anti-inflammatory drugs

Antihistamines for dogs with allergies

Hormone replacement therapy

Anti parasitic drugs for dogs with parasitic infections

Food trials for dogs with allergies

Home Care and Prevention

Follow all instructions given to you by your veterinarian. If your dog has a recurrence of signs, contact your veterinarian at once. The best way to prevent ear dermatitis is to remove any offending substances from the environment. Limit sun exposure and feed hypoallergenic diets when appropriate.