Reasons Why Your Dog's Ears May Have an Odor, as Examined by Veterinarian Tierra Price, DVM; Reviewed by Catherine Barnette, DVM; and Last Updated on May 16, 2023
In the world of canine health, a common concern for many pet owners is the issue of smelly dog ears. This problem can be caused by a variety of factors, including yeast overgrowth, bacterial infections, and ear mite infestations.
Yeast overgrowth is a common culprit, especially in dogs that enjoy swimming or frequent baths. The excess moisture in the ear canal can lead to a yeasty odor and irritated skin.
Bacterial infections, on the other hand, thrive in moist and dirty ear canals, causing redness, swelling, and foul-smelling yellow or green discharge.
Ear mites, tiny parasites, can cause intense itching and produce characteristic dark, crumbly "coffee-ground" debris that smells bad, often leading to head shaking and scratching.
Additional factors contributing to ear odor may include hormonal imbalances or immune system disorders that increase wax production or predispose to infections. Certain dog breeds with floppy ears like Cocker Spaniels or Basset Hounds are more prone to these issues due to trapped moisture and poor air circulation.
A healthy dog ear should have no strong smell; a yeasty or foul odor usually signals infection or mites requiring veterinary attention to avoid complications like chronic otitis or hearing loss. Symptoms such as frequent head shaking, scratching, redness, discharge, or crusty build-up indicate that your dog’s ears need examination and proper cleaning or treatment.
In addressing this issue, regular ear cleaning is an important step in treating and preventing ear infections and ear odor in dogs. When cleaning your dog’s ears, it's important to have a small, easy-to-clean location, a tasty treat, dog ear cleaning solution, cotton balls or tissues, and a towel. For an average healthy dog, with no history of ear infections and no swimming, every 3-4 weeks is a good baseline for ear cleaning. However, dogs that spend a lot of time in the water should have their ears cleaned frequently, with your veterinarian's recommendation possibly being weekly ear cleaning or cleaning after every swim.
Your veterinarian may order further diagnostics such as radiographs, CT, or MRI to examine the extent of disease in a dog's ear. In the case of ear mites, medications such as ivermectin, selamectin, and moxidectin can be used to kill the parasites. Your veterinarian will prescribe either topical medications (ear drops for dogs) or systemic treatment (usually given orally) to treat ear infections in dogs, depending on the severity of symptoms. In severe cases, surgery may be recommended for certain diseases like chronic ear infections or masses in dogs.
Commercial pet ear cleansers have compounds such as cerumenolytics and drying agents that soften and breakdown ear wax, slow the growth of bacteria, decrease secretions, and reduce moisture. These over-the-counter products can be used to soothe the skin and promote healing if your dog's ears have sores or scabs due to rubbing and scratching.
However, not cleaning prior to applying medicine and cleaning too much are the most common reasons for treatment failure in dogs with ear infections. Debris in the ear canal can inactivate some topical medications and prevent medications from reaching the ear canal. Debris can also protect microbes and retain bacterial toxins that worsen infection.
In conclusion, a smelly dog ear is a sign that something may be amiss. Regular ear cleaning, using appropriate products, and seeking veterinary advice when necessary can help keep your dog's ears healthy and odour-free.
- In addition to canine health, maintaining a dog's mental health is crucial for overall well-being, as stress, anxiety, and poor living conditions can lead to various behavioral issues.
- After addressing the physical health of dogs, including their ear health, it is equally important to consider their mental health through regular exercise, social interaction, and mental stimulation, as this contributes significantly to their overall wellness in the realm of science.
