Your notice one of your German shepherd's normally proud, upright ears lists to the side and has a nasty smell. The smell and inflammation are signs of canine ear infections, according to the website Pet Education.
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Types and Causes
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Some German shepherds suffer from a type of ear infection called otitis externa, an infection of the outer ear caused by bacteria and/or yeast, and occasionally mites. When the infection spreads to the middle ear, veterinarians diagnose otitis media.
Symptoms
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Your German shepherd shows signs of an uncomfortable infection by scratching or rubbing his ears and shaking his head. If your dog begins to tilt his head and walk crookedly, he may be developing a middle ear infection. You might smell a distinct, bread-like odor and the ears become red and inflamed with a yellow or dark discharge.
Diagnosis and Treatment
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For a simple ear infection, veterinarians typically take a sample of the material in the ear canal, examine it under a microscope to diagnose what is causing the infection and prescribe appropriate medication.
Prognosis
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With the correct diagnosis and treatment, ear infections are easily cured. Your vet needs to look for an underlying cause, such as allergies or hypothyroidism, if the infection becomes chronic.
Prevention/Solution
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According to VetInfo.com, cleaning your German shepherd's ears regularly at home with a veterinary-recommended cleanser will prevent most ear infections. Get your vet or vet tech to show you how to perform this procedure.
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