What it is
A dog's ear canal is long and runs down before turning inwards, so little air reaches its depths and wax and moisture can stay trapped. That warm, damp corner suits bacteria and yeast, which live on the skin in small numbers and multiply quickly once the lining of the canal is irritated.
The trigger is whatever upsets the balance: an allergy, a grass seed, ear mites, water left in the ear after a swim. Heavy, hanging ears and hairy canals let in less air, and in a dog with an allergy the inflammation can return again and again. When it goes on for a long time, the lining of the canal thickens and the canal narrows.
A sore ear makes a dog irritable and restless at night, and wary of having its head touched. Looking into and sniffing your dog's ears now and then, for example while grooming, helps you notice a change early.
Signs you may notice
- Shakes the head
- Scratches at the ear
- Unpleasant smell from the ear
- Dark or yellowish discharge
- Red, swollen ear canal
- Holds the head tilted
The dog shakes its head, paws at the ear, holds its head tilted, and the ear smells unpleasant with dark or yellowish discharge. The inside of the ear may look red and swollen, and the dog may yelp or pull away when the ear is touched.
When to see a vet
Book a visit if your dog shakes its head or scratches an ear for more than a day, or the ear smells or shows discharge. A sudden head tilt with loss of balance needs a vet straight away.
This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own dog's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.