Dog ear diseases are different, and so are the causes that lead to them. The most common diseases affecting dogs are external ear diseases. Inner and middle ear diseases are less common. Ear diseases account for up to 20% of all diseases that occur in veterinary practice.
Othohaematoma of the Ear Cup
A haematoma is an accumulation of blood in a cavity under the skin of the earlobe caused by the rupture of blood vessels. Causes of the disease include trauma, bites and scratches. Haematomas usually occur on the inner surface of the earlobe.
Symptoms: swelling and pain in the area and a pulsation sensation. The animal bends its head to the side of the painful ear, digs it with its paw and is restless.
Treatment: bandage with a pressure bandage during first aid. Apply a 5% iodine solution to the injured area for 3-4 days. Once a thrombus has formed, the haematoma is opened and appropriate surgical treatment is performed (the cavity is cleaned of hardened blood). A bandage is appliedbandage.
Treatment manipulations involving antibiotics and antiseptic care of the incision area may be necessary, as directed by your doctor.
Eczema and dermatitis of the auricle (Eczema et dermatitis auriculae)
The disease often causes injury to the external ear canal (otitis externa).
Causes: entry of foreign bodies, mites, chemicals into the earlobe. Scratches and inflammatory processes. Complications after viral diseases.
Symptoms: redness, itching, swelling of the skin surface, appearance of secretions with an unpleasant odour. The dog holds its head to one side, shakes its ears, digs them. In chronic disease development, wart-like growths appear.
Treatment: if the disease is caused by foreign bodies in the ear, it is necessary to remove them (very often only a doctor can manage this task).
Next, it is imperative to remove the accumulated exudate by lubricating the injured areas with therapeutic prophylactics or medicated lotions and ointments.
Please note that exposure to aqueous solutions in the ear can lead to complications and inflammatory processes in the middle and inner ear, so water-based preparations are not recommended for treatment.
Otitis media
The disease is characterised first by inflammation of the mucous membranes and then of the entire tissues of the middle ear, severe suppuration and in some cases may result in perforation (rupture) of the eardrum. In this case, the abscess will enter the inner ear, which can lead to the development of osteomyelitis or meningitis and death of the animal.
In the case of serous-catarrhal inflammation, the symptoms correspond to those of otitis externa: redness and swelling of the skin covering, excessive production of sulphur in the ear and an unpleasant odour.
Pemphigus-catarrhal inflammation is accompanied by an elevated body temperature, apathy, lack of appetite, and sometimes vomiting. The dog bends its head towards the side of the painful ear, and, in some cases, there may be facial nerveand paralysis (the ears droop and the lips curve). Partial loss of coordination and circular walking are possible when otitis media occurs.
Treatment: Serous-catarrhal inflammation is effectively treated with ultraviolet radiotherapy and anti-inflammatory veterinary drugs.
In the case of the suppurative-catarrhal form, antiseptic therapy with antibiotics and sulphanilamides prescribed by the doctor is necessary. It is imperative to remove the exudate and lubricate the ear with special preparations.
An ear ulcer
The disease develops as a consequence of bites and abrasions in cases where wounds and abrasions lead to pathological processes that do not promote wound healing.
Symptoms: ulcer bleeds, the animal shakes its ears, keeps its head bent.
Treatment: Hair is clipped from the surface and around the ulcer and then the area is treated with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution, the roots of the ulcer are removed and the ulcer is lubricated with solcoseril ointment.