Golden Retriever Ear Infection

A golden retriever's floppy ears are adorable, but they can also harbor painful and dangerous ear infections that can go unnoticed and become more severe. You can help keep your dog healthy and improve your dog's quality of life by understanding the causes, treatment and prevention of ear infections. A healthy dog is a happy dog!

  1. Causes

    • A golden retriever's ears hang over the opening to the ear, which keeps air from circulating freely. This helps create a warm, moist environment in which bacteria and yeast can thrive. As these microorganisms multiply, they can cause inflammation and pain. Other causes of infection include allergies, ear mites and poor hygiene.

    Symptoms

    • If your dog scratches his ear excessively, shakes his head or is suddenly sensitive to having his ears touched, he may have an ear infection. You might find your dog rubbing his head on furniture, the floor or the wall to get relief from the itching and pain in his ear. If you look inside an infected ear, you may see a waxy, brownish buildup in the ear and outside the canal. You'll also smell a foul odor.

    Remedies

    • A solution of one part water to one part white or apple cider vinegar can be used to wash the ear. Dip a cotton ball in this solution and use it to gently swab the outer ear and just inside the entrance to the ear. You can also keep a commercial ear wash on hand for this task. If the infection is severe, your vet may prescribe antibiotics to treat it, along with an ear wash to cleanse the ear.

    Prevention

    • Be sure to check your dog's ears once a week for changes in the way they look. Look under the flap as well as in the ear canal for any discharge, discoloration or damage. Smell the ear to ensure there's no unusual or offensive odor. Even if the ears look healthy, clean them once a week with a commercial ear wash or a home remedy. Doing this will help your dog become comfortable having his ears cleaned, which will help you treat them if they do become infected.

    Warnings

    • If your dog has an ear infection for longer than a few days, call your vet. If his ear is bleeding or his eardrum is ruptured, do not put anything in it and seek immediate medical attention for him. Failure to treat an ear infection can lead to permanent hearing loss.