Ear swelling in dogs - treatment at home

Why do dogs' ears get swollen?

Many people get pets and subsequently find reliable and loyal friends. Animals, like people, suffer from various diseases. Quite often, they are diagnosed with diseases of the digestive tract, respiratory tract and various seals. Of course, pets need care, which includes scheduled and timely examination. Diagnostic measures make it possible to detect various seals, lumps and tumors, hematomas, which are quite dangerous. They typically form on the face, ears, paws and nose. This article will be useful to those who have a devoted friend in the form of a dog.

Animal disease with human character

Many people are concerned about the question: why does a dog’s ear become swollen? Four-legged friends very often encounter ear problems. They are represented by diseases of the outer, inner and middle ear.

Dog ears represent a kind of Achilles heel of the animal. However, it is not typical for all breeds. The following breeds suffer from ear pathologies:

• Dachshunds.
• Afghan hounds.
• Basset hounds.
• And other representatives of long-ears.

In first place in the frequency of diagnosing diseases of the outer ear is hematoma, and in the inner ear is otitis media. In addition, there is a risk of developing a cyst. As for the reasons for the development of bumps on the ear, they are ambiguous and varied. In some cases, the disease does not pose a danger to the animal, while others require immediate treatment. In any case, the animal must be shown to a veterinarian. Only a specialist can make an accurate diagnosis, be it papilloma or otitis media, and prescribe appropriate treatment.

Symptoms of ear diseases

Regardless of the causes of ear tissue tumors, the problem is quite simply determined by the corresponding symptoms. It will not be difficult for an attentive owner to notice the swelling on his own. After this, you need to show your pet to a specialist.

The main symptoms that a dog has a swollen ear:

If at least three of the above symptoms are present, you should carefully examine your dog’s ears and, if necessary, contact a veterinarian.

One of the reasons why a dog's ears are swollen is swelling of the mucous membrane of the auditory canal as a result of inflammation - otitis, the occurrence of which is provoked by ear mites entering the auditory organ.

Another cause of inflammation is irregular care of your pet’s ears, during which they are cleaned. An infection in the ear canal can also cause swelling. The reason for this, as a rule, is insufficient care of the pet's ears.

What is the danger?

The presence of an inflammatory process in the ears may result in the process transferring to the membrane of the brain. Other complications include hematoma of the ears, rupture of the eardrum and deafness. If a polyp or other tumors are observed in the ears, they must be removed surgically. In some cases, the polyp is located deep in the ear, which is not easy to detect even for a veterinarian. In other cases, the formation is outside. With prolonged presence, the polyp becomes malignant.

Type of tumors

In the event that a dog begins an inflammatory process, first of all, it is necessary to find out what it is.

Hematoma

A hematoma is a specific blood compaction resulting from hemorrhage under the skin of the ear. In most cases, hematoma occurs in representatives with drooping ears. The cause of hematoma formation is represented by mechanical damage to the ear. This kind of compaction occurs due to damage to blood vessels or through excess fluid. The formations have a soft texture and variable shape.

During a medical examination, a soft and hot lump is detected. The animal experiences itching, so it constantly scratches the sore ear. This action causes the wound to bleed. In case of a hematoma, it is necessary to apply a cold compress, fixing it tightly. If the compress does not give a positive trend, then the veterinarian opens the dog’s ear tumor and removes the blood. The open wound is washed with hydrogen peroxide and a bandage is applied.

The ear may become swollen due to an inflammatory process occurring in the outer part of the ear canal. In some cases, otitis media is characterized by purulent discharge. The etiology of this disease is represented by inappropriate care of the animal or infection. The causative agent of otitis is ear mites.

A mite in the ear can cause severe inflammation and cause hearing loss.

Otitis media can be caused by a polyp or tumor in the ear canal. If the disease affects the middle and inner ear, then the pet is characterized by loss of the ability to navigate in space.

A sick dog's head is tilted to one side. The animal constantly scratches its inflamed ear. When pressing on a sore spot, the dog experiences pain and tries to escape.

As for the treatment and complications of this disease, only a veterinarian can clarify. In order to prevent otitis media, experts recommend rinsing the animal’s ears with hydrogen peroxide once every 14 days. After this procedure, the ears must be wiped dry. Such manipulations can be carried out after bathing your pet.

Growths

Perhaps the tumor is a common wart or papilloma. Such formations more often occur in representatives of the smooth-haired breed. The real reason for their occurrence is unknown. However, a wart or papilloma is a consequence of a viral infection. As for the appearance of the bump, it looks like a growth with a dark tint. They do not cause pain in the dog, however, papilloma is characterized by itching. Scratching will lead to infection. Therefore, it is recommended to visit a veterinarian.

Inflammation of the middle ear in dogs

Inflammation of the middle ear in a dog occurs, most often as a result of an infection from the outer ear entering the eardrum, as well as as a result of local and general infection in the dog (canine distemper).

The disease in a dog is accompanied by pain when opening its mouth, difficulty chewing, sometimes there is discharge from the eyes, strabismus, the dog may twist towards the affected ear. A sick dog's body temperature rises and its appetite disappears. If complications occur, the dog may experience meningitis or inflammation of the vestibular apparatus, accompanied by incoordination of movement.

Why can a dog's ear swell?

Dogs' ears can be damaged for various reasons: from mechanical trauma to infection or tumor growth inside the ear canal. In each of these cases, ear swelling may be noticeable even externally when one or more sides of the thin ear cartilage become larger. In some cases, the tissues can become so swollen that the ear canal narrows and the animal begins to hear poorly. Whatever disease causes the tumor, it is better for the dog owner to take the pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible, without waiting until the tissues begin to swell even more.

The most common causes of swollen ears in dogs include:

1. Hematomas. They look like bruises, with hemorrhage in the subcutaneous area. They are usually formed as a result of mechanical impact: bruise or irritation of the inside of the ear space. In addition to swelling, the main signs of a hematoma will be a new growth in the internal space that is hot to the touch, constant head shaking and scratching by the dog, the appearance of abrasions and wounds, sometimes with tearing of the auricle.
2. Otitis. The most common reason for the development of otitis is poor care of the dog and failure to comply with sanitary and hygienic standards for its maintenance, although the possibility of infection entering the passage should not be ruled out. The main external manifestations of otitis include: scratching the ears, shaking the head, pain, accumulation of dirt and inflammation in the inside of the shell. If you lean towards the animal, you may notice an unpleasant, sometimes pungent odor.
3. Allergy. It manifests itself in redness, swelling and the appearance of pimples or ulcers at the site of the lesion. Typically, allergic reactions are the result of a dog consuming new food mixtures, medications, or contact with household chemicals or hair care products.
4. Abscess. The appearance of such a neoplasm resembles a hematoma, only its internal space is filled not with blood, but with pus. In this case, the dog's ear will swell due to tissue damage and infection by pathogens.
5. A foreign object or water gets inside the ear. The pet often tries to remove them on his own, vigorously shaking his head and trying to reach the interfering object with his paw.
6. Papillomas and warts. May be characteristic of any dog, especially those with large ears. Often the cause of the appearance of such neoplasms is infectious infections that can cause severe discomfort to the pet in the form of itching and irritation.
7. Oncology. Benign or malignant tumors can very quickly increase in size, inflate and even change shape, closing the inner ear space. As when a foreign object hits, the pet will shake its head intensely, try to reach the interfering object with its paw, and hang its erect ears, tilting its head towards the affected area.

Ear mites in dogs

The most common ear mite in dogs is otodectosis. The disease is accompanied by itching, the sick dog shakes its head, scratches its ears on various objects or tries to comb the affected areas of the skin with its paw claws. Subsequently, as the inflammatory process in the auricle develops, first serous and then purulent-ichorous exudate begins to be released from the ear canal, which, when flowing out, sticks together the hair of the lower edge of the auricle. This exudate, when dried, forms scabs and crusts of gray or light brown color on the inner surface of the ears, as well as in the external auditory canal. When the eardrum is perforated, a sick dog's appetite worsens, body temperature rises, the dog develops bow-headedness, nervous attacks and convulsions.

The diagnosis of otodectosis is made based on the symptoms of the disease, which must be confirmed by the results of a microscopic examination of scrapings from the inner surface of the skin of the ears, for the presence of the mite – Otodectes cynotis.

Among mites, canine demodicosis can cause ear disease in dogs.

How to tell if your dog has ear problems

Any deviations in the dog’s well-being will not go unnoticed by the attentive owner. Determining if an animal has ear problems is not so difficult; you just have to observe its behavior. The following symptoms usually indicate swelling of the ear:

• tilting the head to one side, and this position is observed constantly;
• attempts to press the sore ear to the head;
• display of aggression when trying to examine the ear;
• sudden changes in behavior and mood;
• increased tension in the neck, but only on one side;
• shaking the head and trying to get something out of the ear with a paw, often tearing the skin until it bleeds;
• sleep disturbance and refusal to eat;
• whining and other sounds uncharacteristic for a dog;
• discharge of purulent exudate from the ear, with an unpleasant pungent odor.

What to do if your dog has a swollen ear

Any of the above-described deviations has its own treatment regimen, based on the use of certain medications. Whether the cause of the swelling is a hematoma or the dog suffers from otitis media, in any case, its positive outcome depends on the timeliness of the treatment started.

Hematoma

The first thing to do when you find a hematoma in your dog’s ear is to apply a cold compress and place a tight bandage on the head, which will have to be changed daily. In 3-4 days, the bruise should resolve on its own, but if this does not happen, surgical intervention will be required, which involves opening and removing the blood that has coagulated under the skin. The remaining open cavity must be disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate or hydrogen peroxide, and then bandaged so that the dog cannot scratch the wound. Standard painkillers, for example, Analgin or No-shpa, will help relieve pain.

Allergy

To combat an allergic reaction to food, an insect bite or a drug, it is best to use antihistamines, with the obligatory exclusion of the allergen that provokes the disorder. The dosage of tablets for a pet should be calculated taking into account its age and weight, and the most famous drugs of this group today include Diazolin or Suprastin.

Otitis, or inflammation of the mucous membrane of the external auditory canal, can have a different nature, but in almost all cases it is observed with the addition of an infection. Outwardly, this manifests itself in the release of purulent exudate from the ear canal, and in some cases, examining ear discharge under a microscope, laboratory assistants notice an ear mite, which is the causative agent of the disease.

To eliminate the problem, antibiotics included in ear drops (for example, Anandin) are often prescribed. The drugs Otibiovin and Otoflox are no less effective, but in any case, before instillation, you need to clear the ear cavity of accumulated exudate and only then drip the selected product. Vegetable oils will help soften dried crusts, and to disinfect the surface of the inside of the ear, the use of chlorhexidine would be appropriate.

Abscess

It will not be possible to remove suppuration without surgery, therefore, in order not to worsen the situation, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible for qualified surgical help. When opening an abscess, it is very important not to damage the vessels close to the surface of the skin and to clean out all the pus that has accumulated in the cavity. At the end of the procedure, the remaining wound is washed with peroxide, Levomikol ointment is applied and wrapped with a bandage to prevent infection from the outside. Healing proceeds according to the usual pattern, and the owner only needs to ensure that decay does not begin. Otherwise, you will have to resort to the use of broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs: for example, the cephalosporin or penicillin group. Sometimes these drugs are prescribed immediately after removal of the abscess contents for preventive purposes.

Why are ear tumors dangerous?

Any swelling of the ears poses a direct threat to the dog’s hearing, because even if the tumor in the ear is not malignant, the possibility of blocking the ear canal and squeezing important blood vessels cannot be ruled out. An advanced inflammatory process in the ears can have a negative effect on the dog’s brain, sometimes causing inflammation there as well (meningitis). Malignant tumors often form metastases, so even after excision of the tumor itself there is a chance of losing the animal due to cancer. To prevent this, it is important to contact a veterinarian in a timely manner, even if the reasons for prolonged ear swelling in the animal seem clear to the owner.

Allergic otitis media in dogs

Allergic otitis in dogs often occurs as a result of an allergic reaction to the food consumed or as a result of a hormonal imbalance in the dog's body.

This type of otitis in a dog is accompanied by abundant secretion of sulfur from the external auditory canal and intensive proliferation of fungi in the microflora. In a dog, allergic otitis media is accompanied by itching; the dog unsuccessfully tries to stop it by scratching its ears with its paws. As a result, the dog develops scratches and ulcers, as well as brown discharge that has a purulent consistency. For more information on this topic, see our article on food allergies in animals.

Preventing ear problems in dogs

Despite the wide variety of different ear problems in dogs, to prevent any cause of swelling, you should adhere to the following simple recommendations:

1. Regularly and thoroughly clean your pet's ears with a cotton swab, possibly instilling them with special antibacterial drops prescribed by your veterinarian.
2. In dogs with long-haired breeds, excess hair should be trimmed regularly, especially on the inside of the ear (this is the only way to achieve normal filtration and prevent increased humidity).
3. After bathing your pet, the ear canal should be blotted with a cotton swab, removing any remaining water from it.
4. Make sure that the dog does not become hypothermic, and this is possible not only in the cold season, but also in the summer.
5. Visit your veterinarian regularly and adhere to your pet's routine vaccination schedule.
6. Treat any bacterial or viral ailments in a timely manner, especially those localized in the head area.
7. Avoid contact between your pet and yard dogs, because you can never be sure that stray animals do not have infectious diseases.
8. Regularly treat your dog for skin parasites, and also do everything possible to ensure that your pet does not suffer from dermatological ailments.

Swelling of the ear is a serious reason to examine the animal more carefully, if possible in a veterinary clinic. Whatever the cause of the disorder, without timely help the dog’s well-being will only worsen, not to mention possible hearing loss or brain damage. Only with a responsible approach to your pet’s health will it be possible to save its life for many years.

Source

Diagnosis of ear diseases in dogs

As with other diseases of domestic animals, the diagnosis of ear diseases in dogs is carried out comprehensively.

When visiting a veterinary clinic, diagnosis of the disease begins with a clinical examination of the sick animal.

*During a clinical examination, the veterinarian uses an otoscope to examine the external auditory canal. During the examination, the specialist carefully examines the cavities of the outer and middle ear, assesses the condition of the eardrum, skin, and the presence of swelling. During the examination, the veterinarian excludes the presence of foreign bodies, spinous processes of grass, and ticks in the ear canal. When performing an otoscopy, the veterinarian can register exudate from the outer ear, redness of the skin, pain at the base of the ear on palpation, bulging of the eardrum into the canal area - all this tells the specialist about swelling in the middle ear cavity.

*Laboratory tests, including:

• A general blood test to determine, among other things, whether the dog has allergies. To exclude hypothyroidism, a blood test is performed to determine the amount of hormones - thyroxine and triiodothyronine.
• To study microflora, diagnose tumors, autoimmune diseases, hyperplasia of the sulfur gland and determine microflora for sensitivity to antibiotics, cytological analyzes of secretions secreted from the ear are carried out in a veterinary laboratory.
• Microscopy of skin scrapings and ear gland exudate is performed for the presence of mites, pathogenic microorganisms and signs of autoimmune diseases.

*If, during laboratory research, the veterinarian did not receive the necessary data to make a diagnosis. Then in veterinary clinics they resort to radiography, with the help of which a specialist can detect tumors and polyps of the nasopharynx, leading to chronic otitis.

*In large veterinary clinics, your sick dog can undergo computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Using these research methods, a veterinary specialist can obtain more complete data about the condition of the middle ear cavity in a dog and the possibility of involvement of neighboring organs, including the brain, in the inflammatory process.

Having made a diagnosis of otitis media, the veterinarian prescribes appropriate treatment for the sick dog.