Why does a dog constantly scratch its ears?

Why does a dog scratch its ears?

Ear scratching in dogs is a normal physiological reaction that occurs when irritation or itching occurs in the area.

If scratching is accompanied by whining, changes in behavior and increased sensitivity, you should understand the causes of the problem and immediately seek help from the nearest veterinary clinic.

Severe itching in this area can appear due to improper hygiene, anatomical structure, or occur against the background of injury. There are a number of diseases for which ear problems are a typical symptom.

Foreign body

The ears of dogs have an open anatomical structure, which is why they are susceptible to foreign objects. Itching is often observed if plant seeds or small twigs fall there during a walk. Severe scratching may be a sign of water, dirt or wax in the outer ear canal - so it is important to check and clean regularly. Breeds with floppy ears and ear hair often suffer from this problem.

Otodectosis

It is a parasitic disease caused by an infestation of microscopic ear mites. Often found in kennels, shelters and in dogs leading a stray lifestyle. Causes severe discomfort and can lead to serious complications if treatment is delayed. The disease is accompanied not only by scratching, but also by an unpleasant odor.

It is extremely contagious and can be transmitted to other pets (cats, rabbits).

To combat otodectosis, a combination of symptomatic and antiparasitic drugs is used.

Otitis

A group of diseases that have a common symptom - inflammation of the auricle. Depending on the cause, the following types of otitis media are distinguished:

• Parasitic . Caused by infection with mites of the genus Otodectes, it occurs with the formation of a brown discharge. Less commonly, otitis media of this type is caused by irritation due to the activity of subcutaneous parasites in the area of ​​the auricle.
• Bacterial . It develops against the background of infection by pathogenic microbes of various types. Always accompanied by purulent or serous exudate and a local increase in temperature. The dog behaves restlessly, tries to keep its head tilted, as its ears begin to hurt.
• Fungal . The natural microflora of earwax contains a small amount of opportunistic fungi. When their number increases against the backdrop of favorable conditions, severe otitis media starts, accompanied by itching, irritation and severe inflammation. The main provoking factors: decreased immunity, gastrointestinal diseases and diabetes.

If otitis media was caused by an infection, then medical attention is required.

The body cannot cope with the pathogen on its own, which leads to increased symptoms and an increased risk of dangerous complications.

The easiest way to identify otitis media is by an unpleasant odor, a large volume of discharge and uncontrollable itching.

Allergy

This is one of the most common causes of ear scratching in dogs today. Allergies can be congenital or acquired, in which breeds are prone to this pathology. It is an abnormal reaction to an external or internal stimulus - foods, pollen, medications. After contact with it, the animal begins to behave restlessly, severely scratch its head and eyes, and redness and a rash can be seen on the shells. The disease cannot be cured, but the attack can be controlled with antihistamines.

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Neoplasm

The cause of itching may be the presence of a tumor of various nature in this area. It can be located both outside the ear and inside. If you notice that your pet is scratching behind the ear, there is swelling and redness, you should immediately contact your veterinarian. Neoplasms can be benign or malignant (cancerous); proper diagnosis is required. Tumors develop gradually; in the early stages (when there are no symptoms yet) it is not always possible to determine the pathology.

Signs of itching

If a dog’s ears itch, the owner can understand this very easily, because when observing the animal, he can see everything by the dog’s posture, his actions and the suffering sounds he makes.

Scabies in dogs

Among the main signs of itching are:

• a sitting pose of the animal, during which the dog intensively scratches its paw behind the ear. Depending on how the pet feels, it can make various sounds: from whining to a threatening growl. If the sensations are pleasant, then the dog will whine slightly, but if they are painful, they will emit a plaintive and loud growl;
• While lying on its stomach, the puppy or adult massages the ears. This behavior signals that scabies has been bothering the dog for a long time;
• The dog makes shaking movements with its head or shakes it violently, which is not typical for a healthy pet.

Note! It is necessary to pay attention to any actions of the dog regarding the ears, because if he shows excessive attentiveness to them, then you should start sounding the alarm.

If your dog’s ear is bothering you, then you should immediately take measures to eliminate the cause of the itching, because the animal can scratch it severely, thereby increasing its suffering. If you suspect your dog has scabies, you should carefully examine the ears for the following symptoms:

• unpleasant odor;
• redness;
• swelling;
• elevated temperature.

When to contact a veterinarian

Scratching is not always a sign of illness. Normally, all dogs scratch their heads and try to get rid of wax on their own. Symptoms when you should contact a veterinary clinic:

• behavioral changes, restlessness and irritability;
• whining while scratching, when touching the ears;
• tilts and shakes his head to the side;
• the presence of a large amount of exudate, dirt in the ears;
• unpleasant odor;
• refusal to eat, poor sleep.

You should not delay visiting a doctor, as diseases can lead to complications and hearing loss.

Self-medication is dangerous, as qualified diagnostics are required to determine the cause of the problem.

How to help at home

If you notice that your pet is constantly itching and appears restless, then he needs help. Procedures that you can carry out yourself:

• give ¼ tablet of an antihistamine - it will relieve itching and make you feel better;
• wipe your ears with a cotton pad soaked in water or chamomile decoction;
• inspect the inner surface for the presence of foreign objects, if possible, remove them;
• get rid of excess hair that can cause irritation;
• if the diagnosis is already known, then follow all the doctor’s recommendations - instillation, treatment with ointments;
• start massaging the ears to avoid mechanical damage to this place with claws.

If the dog appears restless, it needs to be calmed. When your pet is actively scratching itself, you can wrap the front and back paws with a bandage to avoid injury and infection.

Preventing Itchy Ears

Ear diseases in dogs can be avoided by following simple care rules. Useful tips:

• clean your pet’s ears from wax and dirt;
• Carry out monthly rinsing with special preventive solutions;
• massage the sinks - it improves blood flow and relieves irritation;
• if you have an allergy, limit contact with the pathogen as much as possible;
• during bathing, make sure that water does not get inside, dry them after water procedures;
• trim or pluck excess ear hair;
• add vitamins to your diet that are required for strong immunity.

If your dog has a lot of fur near the shells or floppy ears, make sure they are always clean. In this case, inspections should be carried out weekly, after each long walk.

Causes

These include the following:

1. Otodectosis. This disease is caused by an ear parasite - a mite and is extremely contagious, as it is transmitted through contact with a sick animal and through objects with which it comes into contact.
2. Infection. Fungi and bacteria provoke inflammation of the hearing organs.
3. Otitis. The inflammatory process can develop in the outer, middle or inner ear. The cause is infection, hypothermia, injury, allergies, parasites, low immunity. Untreated otitis media can progress and result in meningitis and death of the animal.
4. Allergy. The cause of itching is often a reaction to a specific allergen (food, household chemicals, medicine, dust, plant).
5. Foreign object. A spikelet, stick, grass, and even an insect can easily get into a dog's ear. If the fur around the ears is long, it can tickle the ear canal, causing the animal to itch.
6. The structure of the ears. If they are long and hanging, this prevents normal air circulation and the drying of moisture trapped there. Such dogs are more prone to irritation and inflammation of the hearing organs.
7. Parasites. Frequently scratching flea and lice bites leads to infection and suppuration.

Veterinarian advice

Ear diseases are extremely dangerous for dogs, as they can lead to hearing loss, one of the key sense organs of these animals. To avoid such problems, veterinarians advise undergoing preventive examinations at least 2 times a year, as well as timely treatment for parasites.

It is highly not recommended to self-medicate, since all otitis media have similar symptoms.

If you notice that your pet is scratching its ears or scratching its skin until it bleeds, seek help as soon as possible.

Diagnosis is important if the puppy scratches its ears and whines - at this age the risk of complications is higher.

Common Causes of Ear Pain in Dogs

Is your dog shaking its head and scratching its ear? Just look in your ear. Water could have got there, and the dog is actively trying to get moisture, or the water has been there for a long time, and it has given way (if the moisture is cold, then otitis media in dogs could appear because of this).

The dog often scratches his ear because he might have a cold. Here, too, the cause is a complication called otitis media. It could happen suddenly and quickly. There is no human fault here. The wind blew wrong, the dog dipped its face into the snow. Various things happen.

Reason: The dog is constantly scratching his ears. This may be due to poor nutrition. Allergy to dog food, the body's immunity to one of the products, non-compliance with the daily routine - these are real reasons, not fiction.

Bite from the neighbor's mongrel. You might not have noticed, but this also happens without your knowledge. The dog is constantly scratching his ears. Look at that ear, there might be a bite there.

REFERENCE! In addition to checking your pet weekly, keep an eye on what your pet is doing. Any incomprehensible movement on his part may mean that he is sick. Or it is being played and you are not paying attention.

Briefly about the main thing

1. Due to their anatomy, the ears are susceptible to diseases. Common problems include otitis media, tick infestation, allergies, and foreign body ingestion.
2. Ear diseases are accompanied by itching and tilting of the head to the side. There may be a decrease in appetite and problems with sleep.
3. Treatment can only be prescribed by a doctor. To make you feel better, you need to massage your ears and clean the shells of secretions.
4. Proper ear care is an important part of preventing diseases and infections. It is required to carry out systematic cleaning, hair removal and treatment for parasites. Visit your veterinarian twice a year for a checkup.

Have you ever experienced ear problems in your dog? Share in the comments how to relieve your pet’s anxiety and discomfort before visiting the clinic.