Dogs are one of the most popular pets in the United States. However, these lovable creatures are prone to many different health problems, and an alert owner has to be knowledgeable of different symptoms for different diseases. In some dogs, fungal infections can develop in the ears, leading to complications. You should be informed about these problems before they arise.
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Predisposition
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Some dogs are more likely than others to get fungal infections. They may be a certain kind of breed, or have a specific health problem that allows the fungus to grow. These breeds include dogs with a lot of fur inside their ears, like poodles and shih tzus, and dogs with specific ear structures, such as labradors and basset hounds. Medical conditions, which can predispose dogs of any breed toward ear fungus, include diabetes and thyroid problems.
Cause
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While genetics and medical history can make a dog more likely to develop fungal ear infections, the more direct culprit behind them is earwax. Built up earwax, which holds moisture, creates a perfect breeding ground for the infection, and allows it to proliferate. Often dogs will get this waxy buildup because they are allergic to something in their environment.
Yeast
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Yeast is the fungus that infects dogs. The yeast that causes these canine ear infections is called Malassezia pachydermatis. While it is very irritating to dogs, it poses little or no risk to humans. Just because the yeast is present in a dog, however, does not mean the dog has an ear infection. Often Malassezia pachydermatis lives on healthy dogs. It is only when the yeast population in the dog's ear gets out of control that the dog begins to develop problems.
Symptoms
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You can look for many symptoms of a canine fungal ear infection. Often the dog will let you know that there is something wrong, since the ear infection will be very unpleasant for him and is often very painful. Whining or drawing attention to his ears is a dog's way of signaling that something is wrong. Often the dog will try to relieve the painful itching by rubbing his ears on the floor, or pawing at them incessantly. There will sometimes be an unpleasant smell around the dog's ears. In cases of an extremely advanced infection, the dog may begin to show signs of hearing loss.
Treatment
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Treatment for most fungal ear infections is simple and highly effective (though, unfortunately, hearing lost from advanced infections cannot be regained). Any dog with an ear infection should be evaluated by a vet for the best treatment solution. The veterinarian may prescribe medicated ear drops or creams to get rid of the fungus. There are also a number of effective natural remedies, using things like vinegar or baking soda.
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