One important aspect of pet ownership is monitoring your dog's overall health. Unpleasant odor or discharge from the ears is common in dogs, but needs to be addressed to eliminate underlying causes and prevent further problems. Certain breeds with pendulous or droopy ears, such as cocker spaniels and labradors, are more prone to ear infections and other problems of the inner ear than dogs with erect or pointy ears.
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Ear Mites
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Ear mites are a common parasite that often live in the ear canals of dogs and other animals. Dogs can catch ear mites through contact with infected animals. Ear mites are tiny but may be visible to the naked eye as black, speck-like objects. In addition to unpleasant odor, symptoms of ear mites include excessive ear scratching, head-shaking, excessive ear wax or a crusty black buildup in the ears.
Ear Infections
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Dogs are prone to a type of yeast infection of the ear. Bacteria may cause other types of ear infections. Unpleasant odor from the ears may indicate an inner ear infection. Other symptoms include redness or inflammation of the ear, yellowish discharge and scratching, head-shaking or other signs of discomfort. If your dog is diagnosed with an ear infection, consider having your vet perform an allergy test as well. Allergies can be an underlying cause of itching and infection.
Diagnosis
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Have your dog's ear problems diagnosed by a vet, because misdiagnosis and inappropriate home treatment can aggravate an ear infection and may lead to hearing loss. Your veterinarian can diagnose ear mites with a physical exam, and may perform a culture to determine whether ear infection is present.
Treatment
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If ear mites are discovered in a dog in a multi-pet household, all pets should be treated for ear mites simultaneously. Otherwise, the treated animal will contract the mites again from an untreated animal. Your vet should prescribe or recommend a topical treatment for ear mites or infection, usually in the form of ear drops.
Prevention
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Moisture in the ears is a leading cause of infection, as this creates a breeding ground for yeast and bacteria. Dry your dog's ears thoroughly after swimming and bathing. Ask your veterinarian to recommend an over-the-counter cleaning solution for regular maintenance, and have your dog's ears examined regularly by a veterinarian or grooming professional. Do not insert cotton swabs or other objects into the dog's ear canal. Some veterinarians recommend plucking the inner ear hair of a dog prone to ear infections. Ask your vet if this is the best course of action for your dog. If so, you can pluck the dog's ear hair at home with tweezers or have it done by a vet or groomer.
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