Pesky Itchy Ears

By Kay Hisano | Dated March 21, 2023

Do you know what’s worse than a grumpy, sulky dog? A dog with an ear infection! Due to the hot and wet summer that we’ve had so far, we have recently been seeing an increase in number of ear infections at the clinic.

If your furry friend is constantly scratching, rubbing, or shaking their head, it’s time to take notice. Ear infections in dogs can cause some serious discomfort and pain, and if left untreated, can lead to even bigger problems. So, what causes these ear infections?

Well, it can be a number of things – allergies, ear mites, grass seed, moisture, and even the shape of their ears can all play a role. But don’t worry, there are some signs you can look out for!

• Foul odour
• Redness or swelling
• Head shaking
• Scratching
• Discharge from the ear

Although some ear infections can be quite pesky to treat, they can be treated. We may prescribe antibiotics, antifungal medications or even clean out your pup’s ear canal to remove any unwanted debris. And to prevent future infections, it’s important to give your furry friend proper grooming, regular ear cleaning, and even treatment for allergies. So, let’s keep those tails wagging and those ears clean! Don’t let a pesky ear infection ruin your pup’s day. Keep an eye out for those symptoms and work with your vet to keep your furry friend healthy and happy.

Below is an image of Jackson’s ear cytology slide. He presented to us with very angry ears full of yeast. All the bottle-shaped blue organisms are yeast!! He was given ear medication in the clinic which helped clear up the infection drastically.