What Are the Causes of Irritation in a Dog's Ears?

Ear problems in dogs are generally simple enough to diagnose and to treat. Veterinarians are trained to diagnose and treat all manners of dog ear problems.

  1. Common Irritation in Canine Ears

    • One of the most common irritations in dogs' ears is due to debris that is caught in the ear canal. A veterinarian will check and gently pull out any debris from the ears and wipe them clean with cloth dampened with warm water or other ear solution.

    Excess Ear Wax

    • Earwax is the ears' natural way of removing foreign matter. At times, this wax builds up and actually begins to cause problems for the animal. A dog-safe ear wash, such as Cloud Nine Herbal Ear Wash, can remove a build-up of wax.

    Ticks

    • A thorough examination in the ear canal may show an embedded tick. In the case of a tick embedded deeply in the skin or ear canal, a veterinarian must remove the entire tick and disinfect the ear.

    Ear Mites

    • Ear mites are common in many dogs and can be recognized by a smelly discharge, scratching and head shaking/tilting. Such over-the-counter medications as Mita-Clear will kill ear mites; other brands will kill and remove the mites.

    Foxtail Grass

    • At times, a dog will come into contact with foxtail grass seeds. These seeds can be a deadly problem. When trapped in the ear, the seeds work their way through an animal's flesh and can eventually damage vital organs. A veterinarian can sometimes find the seed and remove it before it becomes a problem.