Q&A for Poodle Ear Infections

Poodles are drop-eared dogs, so their ear areas are dark and moist, ideal for the development of bacteria and fungi. Poodles and cocker spaniels are more prone to developing ear infections, according to the Pets website. You need to detect and treat the infections as early as possible to prevent complications such as eardrum perforation and hearing loss.

  1. What Are Common Ear Infections in Poodles?

    • The most common ear infections that affect poodles are caused by bacteria and fungi. The infections may occur due to poor hygiene or the use of steroids, which facilitate the overgrowth of yeast cells, allergies, the presence of fleas or other parasites. The most common infection -- otitits externa -- affects the external ear, but this infection may evolve and affect the inner ear as well.

    What Are the Symptoms of Ear Infections?

    • A poodle with an ear infection may frequently shake its head, scratch the ear area, have a discharge from the ear or brown material in the ear. The ear will have a foul odor. Should you notice any of the symptoms of an ear infection, consult your veterinarian and get a clear diagnosis. Similar symptoms are indicative of ear mites. The vet will make a diagnosis based on a sample from the dog's ear discharge.

    How Are Ear Infections Treated?

    • The treatment depends on the type of infection affecting the poodle. A bacterial infection is treated with topical antibiotic solutions, while yeast infections require fungicide creams or ointments. If the infection is severe, the vet may prescribe oral antibiotics. If the head shaking causes blood vessels in the ear flap to burst, the poodle requires surgery. Also, if the infection causes severe swelling and the ear canal is shut or nearly shut, the veterinarian may perform surgery. If the ear is nearly shut, the veterinarian performs a lateral ear resection, while a completely shut ear canal requires an ear canal obliteration.

    How Can I Prevent Ear Infections?

    • Perform a weekly wax removal to prevent ear infection in your poodle. Use saline ear drops or a commercial dog ear wash to clean the dog's ears. Pluck the hair from inside the dog's ear using ear powder, because the hair attracts dirt and may also facilitate infections, making the cleaning more difficult. Pluck only small amounts of hair at a time to avoid ear inflammation, which can attract bacteria and fungi. Perform the hair removal once a month.