Dogs have L shaped ear canals, very unlike our own which are straight and horizontal. The ear canal is populated by a layer of bacteria and yeast, this population keep each other balanced and protect the ear from being populated by external bacteria or yeasts.
You might notice that there is a problem with your dog’s ears if you see:
When dogs have sore ears it is usually because there is an overpopulation of some kinds of bacteria or yeast. This can happen because of irritation in the ear which has altered the skin barrier or because the ear has become moist or some foreign material or ear mites have gotten in.
Being in contact with irritants can cause irritation in the ear, this is usually a once off occurrence. Dogs with allergies develop irritation in the ear because of contact with something that is not usually irritating but that they are individually sensitive to, this type of irritation tends to be recurrent.
When the vet examines your dog’s ear they will check that the eardrum has not been damaged, they will also take some samples to determine microscopically what type of infection your dog has. Your vet will also consider what may have caused this infection in the first place and work with you to try and prevent future infections.
If you notice any of these signs, please make an appointment with your vet.
