The ears of the dog

Ears are very important for dogs. Not only can they hear sounds from a great distance and thus detect danger or prey, they also communicate with their ears. Ear infection is common and can be not only painful but also extremely frustrating, for both the dog and the owner. Therefore, proper care of your dog's ears is of the utmost importance. Pharmacy4pets offers a wide range of products for caring for and cleaning your dog's ears.

The dog's hearing

Dogs are born blind and deaf. However, within a few weeks, their vision and hearing develop. Dogs have much better hearing than humans, about four times better. They don't necessarily hear a sound louder, but they hear it better and farther! Dogs have a much wider range for high and low frequencies and can also move their ears independently. This allows them to perceive sounds optimally. Interestingly, dogs are very good at filtering out sounds. They can sleep through loud noises on TV or when called, but they immediately react when they hear the refrigerator or food bowl. Furthermore, ears are essential for a dog's balance. A common cause of balance problems is an ear infection.

Do dogs talk with their ears?

Dogs not only use their ears to hear but also to communicate. You can often tell how your dog feels by the position of its ears. When the ears are alert and forward, the dog is attentive. The ears are neutral when they are turned slightly to the side. If your dog lays its ears flat against its head, you should be cautious; the situation doesn't please him!

Ear conditions in dogs

There are various ear conditions that can affect your dog. Additionally, deafness is more common in certain breeds, especially linked to white dogs with blue eyes. We have listed the most common ear conditions below.

Ear infections

Ear infections are common. It is even one of the most common reasons for a visit to the vet. An allergic reaction often underlies an inflamed ear. Ear infections often involve bacteria and/or yeast, requiring an ear ointment with antibiotics and/or antifungal medication.

Ear mites

Ear mites are much less common than commonly thought and are mainly seen in puppies and dogs kept in less hygienic conditions. Ear mites are extremely contagious and cause terrible itching. Fortunately, they can be treated effectively with products such as Advocate, a spot-on product applied to the skin between the shoulder blades (not in the ears!).

Ear pain due to allergies

Ears are also a common site for itching due to allergies. If your dog scratches its ears a lot and has wounds on them, it may indicate an ear infection, but it could also be due to issues like fleas, atopy (allergy to environmental substances like tree pollen or dust mites), a food allergy, or itching for other reasons. Bald, scaly patches with or without itching on the ears are sometimes seen with fungal or skin mite infections.

Ear hematomas in dogs

An ear hematoma or aural hematoma is a rupture of blood vessels between the two layers of skin and the cartilage in the ear flap. It manifests as a soft, often warm swelling on the ear flap. Usually, an ear hematoma is the result of vigorous shaking and therefore often occurs alongside an ear infection. If an ear hematoma is left untreated, the cartilage can "shrink," resulting in a condition called cauliflower ear.

Symptoms of ear conditions in dogs

The main symptoms of ear problems in dogs are:

• Scratching at the ears.
• Shaking the head.
• Smelly ears (the typical 'dog smell'): Dogs' ears shouldn't have an odor, so any smell is abnormal!
• Excessive earwax.
• Holding an ear flat or tilting the head.
• Crusts, flakes, wounds, or bald spots on the ear flap or on the skin around the ear.
• Not responding to sounds.
• Balance disorders (such as appearing drunk, walking in circles, tilting the head).
• Uneven pupils or other asymmetries of the head (such as drooping eyelids, visible third eyelid, lower-set eye).

It is important to always consult a veterinarian if there is suspicion of an ear problem. They can determine the cause and especially check if the eardrum is intact. Administering ear drops, including ear cleaners, with a ruptured eardrum is dangerous! Moreover, an ear problem is much easier to treat in the early stages than when the ear canal is already completely thickened due to prolonged issues.

Cleaning your dog's ears

Normal ear canals clean themselves. Therefore, cleaning the ear is usually unnecessary. Ears should be slightly oily to trap pathogens. Cleaning ears too frequently or using the wrong products can actually do more harm than good. However, some dogs are more prone to dirty ears. For example, dogs that swim a lot, dogs with a lot of hair in their ears, dogs with heavy hanging ears (such as Basset Hounds and Cocker Spaniels), or dogs with narrow ear canals like Bulldogs. If your dog easily gets dirty ears, use a special ear cleaner to prevent irritation. An ear cleaner for dogs with sensitive ears like CleanAural Sensitive can help remove excess earwax and dirt. After swimming, you can use an ear cleaner that helps maintain a healthy environment in the ears, such as MalAcetic Aural.

Cleaning your dog's ears is done as follows:

• If the dog has hanging ears, lift the ear to access the ear canal.
• Wipe away loose earwax or dirt, if present, with a cotton ball moistened with the ear cleaner.
• Insert the nozzle of the bottle into the upper part of the ear canal. Gently press the bottle. Apply a generous amount of ear cleaner to both ears.
• Then gently massage the outside of the ear canal for 30 seconds before the dog shakes its head.
• Allow the dog to shake its head, then remove dirt and visible earwax with a cotton ball. Only do this at the edges; do not insert the cotton ball into the ear canal.
• Repeat the above steps for very dirty ears.

Due to the possibility of flying earwax, it is best to clean your dog's ears outdoors or in the kitchen.

For very mild symptoms such as slight itching or redness, an ear drop based on honey such as Dermiel ear drops can be given. The use of ear cleaners and ear drops is ONLY permitted with an intact eardrum. If there are complaints of an ear infection, it is advisable to have the veterinarian examine your dog.

If you have any questions about our products or your dog's ears, please contact us.