It can be worrying when you notice your dog has a swollen ear. Ear issues are common in dogs and can range from mild irritations to serious infections. Some swelling or redness inside your dog’s ear flap may be normal, especially if your dog has floppy ears. However, significant swelling, pain, odor, or discharge indicates a problem needing veterinary attention. In this article we talk about 5 Reasons Why Your Dog Has A Swollen Ear Causes And Treatments At An Animal Hospital.
Recognising the early signs of an ear problem and getting prompt veterinary care can help prevent complications and relieve your dog’s discomfort.
Reason 1: Ear Infections
Ear infections are one of the most frequent causes of a swollen, inflamed ear in dogs. Yeast and bacteria naturally live in your dog’s ears. Still, excessive moisture, allergies, excess hair, foreign objects, and anatomical issues can allow these organisms to rapidly multiply, leading to infection and inflammation.
Symptoms of an infected ear include head shaking, scratching or rubbing the ear, odor and discharge. The ear may appear reddened or swollen, feel hot to the touch, and be painful. Your dog may even tilt their head or walk in circles due to dizziness from the infection.
At the animal hospital, the veterinarian will examine your dog’s ear canal with an otoscope to determine the type and severity of infection. Treatment typically includes cleaning the ear, medication eardrops to resolve infection and inflammation, and sometimes oral medication. Keeping ears clean and dry can help prevent recurrent infections.
Reason 2: Allergies
Allergies are another very common culprit for swollen, itchy ears in dogs. Just like for humans, dogs can develop allergic reactions to things like food, plants, dust mites, mold, and other environmental triggers. These allergies cause inflammation, which often first appears in a dog’s ears.
Dogs with allergy-related ear issues will scratch and rub at their head and ears. Over time this can cause the ear flap and canal to become red, swollen, and painful. Thick discharge, odor, and secondary ear infections can develop.
Identifying and avoiding allergy triggers is key to managing this issue. Antihistamines, medicated shampoos, and immunosuppressants may also be prescribed. Steroid medications help with short term relief but have significant side effects if used long term. Allergy testing can uncover specific environmental allergies amenable to desensitization immunotherapy.
Reason 3: Foreign Objects or Tumors
While less common than infections or allergies, foreign objects and tumors can also cause swelling and irritation in a dog’s ears. Foxtails, grass seeds, ticks, and other foreign material can get lodged in the ear canal. Wiggling and scratching in response irritates the delicate ear tissue. This can cause swelling, discharge, head shaking, and pain.
Some dogs also develop tumors or polyps in their ears. Depending on the type and location, these growths may become swollen, ulcerated, and secondarily infected, mimicking a severe ear infection. Subtle signs like a persistent head tilt or imbalance can also indicate an ear tumor.
Careful examination and imaging tests like CT scans or MRI help diagnose foreign objects and tumors. These problems often require sedation or anesthesia for safe removal. Biopsies are taken of ear masses to determine if they are benign polyps or cancerous tumors requiring additional treatment.
Reason 4: Ear Hematomas
Ear hematomas are swollen, fluid-filled pockets that develop when a blood vessel ruptures inside the ear flap. The delicate blood vessels and minimal tissue support make dog ears prone to this condition. Trauma from head shaking, scratching, or irritation causes blood vessels to break. The released blood separates the tissue layers, forming a fluid-filled hematoma.
Affected ears rapidly swell up and become painful. The ear flap takes on a bluish-purple, blister-like appearance. Hematomas must be promptly treated to preserve normal ear anatomy and prevent permanent thickening or “cauliflower ear.” Drainage, bandaging, and sometimes surgery may be needed to resolve the swelling and prevent reaccumulation of fluid.
Reason 5: Medication Reactions
Finally, although rare, swollen ears can arise as a reaction to certain medications. Sulfa antibiotics, anti-fungal drugs, and topical flea & tick preventatives have been implicated in some dogs. Reactions range from mild redness and swelling to crusting skin lesions, ulcers, and severe blistering.
If a swollen ear arises right after starting a new medication, stop the drug and seek prompt veterinary care. Aggressive inflammation can lead to tissue loss and require extensive wound care. Alternate medications that don’t cause reactions can be prescribed once your dog recovers.
Veterinary Treatments for Swollen Dog Ears
The appropriate treatment for a swollen dog ear depends on the underlying cause. However, many general principles and medications are utilized no matter the reason.
Most dogs with swollen ears are quite painful and require sedation or anesthesia for a thorough exam and to clean the canal. Gentle flushing with a saline solution helps remove debris. Medicated drops to fight infection and reduce swelling are a mainstay of treatment.
Oral antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and antihistamines may also be prescribed. Follow-up visits to monitor recovery and repeat cleaning are important, especially with chronic conditions like allergies. Surgery is sometimes needed to remove foreign material, tumors, or drain hematomas.
While home care cannot replace professional veterinary treatment, there are a few things you can do to support your dog’s recovery. Follow all medication directions carefully. Keep your dog from shaking their head or pawing at their ears. Gently wipe outer ear areas after applying medications. You may also wish to trim ear hair to promote ventilation as they heal.
Most ear issues can be managed with prompt veterinary attention and any necessary lifestyle changes to control allergies or moisture. However, some conditions like tumors may require referral to a veterinary specialist for advanced diagnostics and care.
Conclusion
If your dog develops a swollen ear, resist the urge to try home remedies and make an appointment with your veterinarian. Getting an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan early is important, especially with painful conditions like ear infections and hematomas. Familiarize yourself with the common reasons for swollen dog ears so you can catch issues before they become severe. Monitoring your dog’s ears and heading to the animal hospital at the first signs of swelling can help prevent complications and permanent damage. I sincerely hope you find this “5 Reasons Why Your Dog Has A Swollen Ear Causes And Treatments At An Animal Hospital” article helpful.