Ear dermatitis is a disease that may affect a dog in the outer part of his ear. A variety of things may cause a dog to get this disease, but fortunately there are many symptoms owners can watch for, as well as a multitude of treatments for dogs with this disease.
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Causes
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A dog may become afflicted with ear dermatitis for multiple reasons. Two types of infections can cause this disease: bacterial and parasitic. A parasite would be something like mange or ringworm. The other causes are primarily immune-related. Otherwise, the dog may have allergies, frostbite, a reaction to a drug, pemphigus (a skin disorder), cancer or another type of immune disease.
Symptoms
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Ear dermatitis may cause several symptoms in a dog, so it is important to know what to look for. The symptoms will appear primarily around the ears, where the dermatitis is located. A dog experiencing pain might show that by shaking his head or scratching at his ears. It could have some hair loss around the ears, particularly on the inside of the ear canal. Its ears may have a foul odor and could possibly begin bleeding.
Diagnosis
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A veterinarian can diagnose a dog with ear dermatitis. The usual tests include a urine test and a complete blood count. Other tests be needed to diagnose the dermatitis definitively. The dog may go through allergy and hormone testing. The veterinarian might run fungal and bacterial cultures. He might also do a skin scraping or biopsy in an attempt to find the cause of the dermatitis.
Treatment
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Many treatments are available for dogs with ear dermatitis. The treatment will depend on what the veterinarian finds as the underlying cause of the disease. The dog may be treated with drugs such as antibiotics, antihistamines, anti-inflammatory drugs or antiparasitic drugs. These drugs would help a dog with an infection. A dog with a hormone problem may go through hormone replacement therapy, while a dog with allergies may go through food trials to see what affects it.
Home Care
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The veterinarian may give the pet owner instructions on caring for the dog at home. This may include prescription drugs or simply advice. The veterinarian may advise the pet owner to shampoo the dog with antibiotic shampoos. The owner might also need to apply ointment to the dog's ears. Whatever type of home care is provided, keep regular appointments with the veterinarian to prevent recurrences of the dermatitis.
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