What You Need to Know About Your Dog’s Ear Yeast Infection
Does your dog show signs of an ear yeast infection? Follow these tips to keep them healthy.
Key takeaways:
An ear yeast infection is easy to spot, but knowing what caused it can be more difficult.
Infections may indicate an underlying condition.
You should take your dog to a vet to find out if there are other health issues.
Yeast infections are usually treated with medication.
Certain breeds have a higher chance of infection.
Routine dog care visits can catch the problem before it worsens.
As a pup parent, you need to learn what your dog’s behavior tells you about their health, including ear yeast infections. Your pup can’t use words to communicate, but they will let you know when something is wrong. When a dog rubs their ears, it may be a sign of an ear infection. There are different kinds, so it will be up to your vet to find out which type of infection your pup has.
This article will outline the different kinds of infections, causes, treatments, and dog ear cleaning tips for prevention.
What are the signs of an ear yeast infection in dogs?
Your dog’s ear infection may be bacterial, or it may be caused by an overgrowth of yeast. Yeast infections have several telltale signs, making them easy to spot. Some include:
Scabbing around the opening of the ear
A waxy residue that’s reddish or brownish
A musty cheesy smell
The ear itself may be red or irritated
Trouble with balance or walking in circles
Missing fur in the infected area
Hearing loss
Unusual movement or patterns in your dog’s eyes
Many of the symptoms are the same if your dog has swimmer’s ear. These symptoms point to a yeast infection in your dog’s ears. This is not only uncomfortable, but – if left untreated – is very painful. If you see these signs, take your dog to your vet.
What causes an inner ear yeast infection in dogs?
The biggest culprit is the shape of a dog’s ear. A dog’s ear canal is “L” shaped. The opening goes down and then pivots away from the opening itself. This gives yeast ample opportunity to grow, and allows water or other material to be trapped in it. Water is also more likely to be left behind after a good swim.
Because the shape can retain other material, your dog’s ear canal may hold any number of infection-causing allergens. These include:
Feathers
Dust
Mold
Cleaning products
Some foods
Cigarette smoke
Ears aren’t the only place your dog can suffer an infection. Check the skin all over their body for signs of redness, scabbing, and other markers.
A yeast ear infection may indicate other health issues
Your vet will examine your pup to find out what kind of ear infection you’re dealing with. If the above signs are present, it’s likely an ear yeast infection. Other infections are possible, however. For instance, a bacterial infection exhibits many of the same signs.
The bigger concern is that inner ear infections may point to something else wrong, such as:
Your dog’s eardrums may be ruptured.
There may be a tumor or polyp in the ear canal.
An object may be trapped in your dog’s ear.
Your dog might have allergies.
Once your vet finds out what kind of ear infection you are dealing with, they can look for other health issues. The next step is treating the problem.
How to treat ear yeast infections in dogs
Fortunately, treating outer ear infections is pretty simple. Your vet will find out if the eardrum is intact by using an otoscope, plus see if there is anything in the canal that caused the infection. They will likely extract a sample from the infected area to look at under a microscope. From there, they can determine whether your dog has an ear yeast infection or bacterial infection – or both! Your vet will prescribe medication to treat the infection. The kind of treatment depends on the infection.
Outer ear canal infections: Usually treated with topical antifungal creams or ointments
Middle ear infections: These are more serious, and your vet may prescribe injections or tablets. Depending on the severity of your pup’s condition, surgery may be necessary.
Does your dog get frequent ear infections? Ask your vet for medical ear cleaners or other regular treatments.
Are yeast ear infections more common in certain breeds?
Infections are more likely in areas where moisture can be trapped. Knowing this, it likely won’t surprise to find out pups with floppy ears are more prone to develop ear infections. Some breeds include:
Golden retrievers
Poodles
Cocker spaniels
Basset hounds
Other breeds with hair in their ear canal, like Schnauzers, are also susceptible to ear yeast infections. Outside of specific breeds, a yeast infection may be more likely if your dog suffers from general allergies.
How to prevent ear yeast infections in your dog
Cleaning is the most important thing you can do to prevent your pup from getting an ear yeast infection. Prevent debris from remaining in the inner canal. Give your dog’s ears a frequent treatment with a vet-approved cleaning agent. It’s important to not let moisture stay in your dog’s ears. Gently dry your dog’s ears thoroughly after baths or swimming to remove as much moisture as possible.
Schedule routine dog care visits
Schedule regular monthly visits with Scenthound and feel secure knowing a professional is providing routine care and looking out for your dog regularly. A well-trained specialist knows how to thoroughly clean your dog’s ears. Regular visits allow your routine care specialist to get to know your dog. They will be able to tell when your pup is “off,” and look for signs something is wrong. Use our easy store locator to find the location nearest to you.