What’s the topic for today?
Itchy ears in dogs
You must be talking about ear mites, right?
Well, people often jump to that conclusion, but they are usually not the cause. Ear mites do cause itchy ears, but they are quite rare nowadays.
So what usually causes itchy ears?
Infection with yeast or bacteria, and of the two, yeast infection is by far the most common.
How can you tell the difference between the two?
We take a smear of the earwax and look under a microscope. It’s important to know if it’s a yeast or bacterial infection, as the treatment may be different. If it’s bacterial, for instance, we might decide to send an ear swab for culture.
Why is it necessary to do that?
Sometimes we need to know what type of bacteria is present and, more importantly, need to know which antibiotic is most likely to kill it.
How do dogs’ ears get infected in the first place?
All ears have a small number of bacteria and yeast living in the wax, but in certain conditions, the numbers increase dramatically, and that’s when you get problems.
So what conditions are we talking about?
Basically, yeast and bacteria love warm, moist conditions, so anything that increases the temperature or moisture of the ear encourages the growth of microorganisms.
So, do you see more ear problems in summer?
Yes, we do. We also see more ear problems in dogs with hairy floppy ears, as their ear canals are warmer and moister than other dogs due to the lack of air circulation. Also, dogs that swim a lot are at more risk if they get water in their ears regularly.
So that would explain why dogs like spaniels have a reputation for getting lots of ear infections?
Yes, but there are some breeds like the German Shepherd that also have lots of ear problems, yet their ears are short-haired and erect.
So why do they have lots of ear problems?
They are a breed that is prone to allergic skin problems. All dogs that have allergic skin problems are more prone to ear infections.
Why is that?
It’s all down to the temperature again. Warm ears encourage yeast and bacteria. With skin allergies, the blood flow to the skin, including the ears, increases, and this flow of warm blood increases the temperature of the ears.
So do dogs with allergic skin problems get recurring ear infections?
Yes, they do, and people need to realise that. To the owner, it can seem that the ear treatment isn’t working, and they can become frustrated if they have to keep going back to the vet for treatment. It’s important to realise that it is the underlying skin allergy that needs treatment.
So what can people do about that?
Well, that’s a whole new topic on its own, but the main thing is not to give up and ignore your dog’s itchy ears. It is possible to have skin testing to find out what is causing the allergy and start treatment for that allergy.
Can people do anything to prevent ear infections?
Using a regular ear cleaner to flush out the ears once a week is helpful. It helps to dry the ears out and also removes wax. It makes the environment less inviting for yeast and bacteria.
Is there anything else people need to know?
Its very important to give the whole course of medication. Often 2-3 weeks of ear medication is prescribed but some people will stop after a few days if the ears look better. That is a sure way to encourage an ongoing ear infection that never quite clears up. It also encourages resistance to antibiotics, making subsequent treatment more difficult.
And today’s question?
Today we have talked about two types of microorganisms. One of them was bacteria. What was the other one…YEAST