Yeast overgrowth in a dog's ears will often lead to yeast ear infections if not treated early. While ear problems are a common problem and have many causes, by far yeast infections are the most common. All yeast infections are not the same. There are several different organisms that can result in infection, and medications to treat them vary. The symptoms of ear infections are fairly easy to spot. Here's what to look for, and some treatment options your vet may pursue.
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Identification
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The most obvious symptom of a yeast ear infection is the dog scratching at his ears. He may also paw them, or rub the side of his head on the ground, or on furniture. It is very itchy and painful and if left untreated, can lead to deafness or serious systemic infection.
If you see your dog scratching his ears, take a sniff. A healthy ear has no odor. A foul or yeasty odor indicates infection.
Look into the ear. Since most yeast infections are deep in the ear canal, you may not notice anything unusual. If the infection is more advanced, the ear may be swollen or red, and you may see discharge.
Considerations
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Never attempt to treat an ear infection with home remedies. Take your dog to your veterinarian. She will swab the inner ear and look at the material under a microscope to determine the type of organism responsible for the infection.
She will also inspect the inner ear looking for cysts, mites or foreign objects.
Basic treatment
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Assuming the only problem is an ear infection, she will prescribe antibiotic ear drops like Baytril or Zymox, along with Chlorhexidine, which kills yeast. If the ears are very painful, a topical steroid may be prescribed to soothe inflammation. The majority of yeast ear infections do not recur after proper treatment.
Causes
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Chronic yeast ear infections often suggest an underlying problem, like airborne or seasonal allergies, and to a lesser extent, food allergies. It may be necessary to have allergy testing done on your dog. Skin sensitivity tests are most often used to pinpoint airborne allergens, like dust and pollen. An elimination diet will help identify food allergies.
If you do not address the underlying cause for chronic ear infections, the dog may suffer from them for life.
See the canine allergy link in resources for more information in identifying and treating allergies.
Prevention/Solution
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If no allergy is suspected, then preventing ear infections by routine cleaning to prevent the yeast overgrowth that leads to infection will minimize recurrence.
Obtain some ear cleaning solution from your vet and use as directed. A 50:50 mix of white vinegar and pure water will work just as well for basic ear cleaning and maintenance of proper pH.
The vast majority of dogs who get ear infections have dropped or floppy ears. This is because air cannot circulate inside the ear canal, leading to a moist environment, favorable for yeast growth. Keep the inner surface of the ear flap trimmed of any extra fur. Dogs with long, furry ears, like Cocker spaniels, are very prone to ear infections. Trimming or plucking the hairs from around the inner ear will prevent yeast buildup.
A grain-based diet may promote yeast infections in some dogs. Consider switching to a grain-free kibble, or feeding a raw or cooked diet. Sometimes simply switching from a grain-based kibble to a premium brand will alleviate problems.
Warning
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The dog's ear is a delicate organ. Never use any ear wash or medication without consulting your vet.
While it is fine to clean the outer, visible part of a dog's ears, never put a swab or foreign object down the ear. Dogs' ear canals are shaped differently from human ears, and cotton swabs may puncture the ear drum or cause discomfort.
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