In dogs, as in humans, swelling is a sign of infection. Usually, if a dog's ear is swollen, he has an infection in his outer ear, but sometimes more serious infections can spread to the middle ear (the area just behind the eardrum), and a cyst can develop. Outer ear infections are called otitis externa, and those in the middle ear are referred to as otitis media.
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Check for Other Symptoms
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If your dog has been shaking his head more frequently than usual, check for other symptoms like scratching or pawing at the ears, tenderness when eating or yawning, head tilting or difficulty hearing. If he resists you when you try to handle his jaws, the swelling or cyst is probably causing him pain in that area.
Causes
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The most common cause for ear cysts is prolonged infection. Some breeds have a genetic predisposition to ear problems. Other causes of swelling in the ears are mites, foreign objects, excessive swabbing or cleaning, an abundance of hair in the ear canal and particularly narrow or folded ears.
Treatment
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For a basic outer ear infection, antiseptic and antibacterial drops will probably be prescribed. Infections that have spread to the inner ear can be fought with oral antibiotics or antifungals, and steroids will fight the infection and reduced pain and swelling. In the case of cysts, surgery is necessary for removal.
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