Chronic Bacterial Ear Infections In Dogs

You know the symptoms of chronic dog ear infections.

Chronic bacterial ear infections in dogs.

If your dog is prone to chronic or recurrent ear infections identifying and managing any underlying causes such as allergies can help prevent new infections from occurring. Then once the middle ear is infected the infection can spread to the inner ear where it will affect the dog s sense of balance and position. Although otitis interna is uncommon in dogs with chronic otitis externa otitis media is common with a reported incidence of 50 to 88 9. Acute and chronic dog ear infections are one of the most commonly treated conditions in veterinary medicine.

It s important to consider all symptoms that your dog is displaying to figure out why she has an ear infection. About 70 have an intact but abnormal tympanic membrane. Many dogs that have chronic ear infections have an underlying health condition. In our case ginger had a bacterial ear infection which i believe was caused by food allergies.

8 in dogs with recurrent ear infections of 6 months or longer up to 89 may have concurrent otitis media. Quite a few things can cause the disease parasites allergies growths which is progressive and can lead to a rupturing of the eardrum or narrowing of the ear canal. According to v etstreet dog ear infections can be classified into two main categories. Long eared dog breeds with excessive hair and non erect outer ears such as the cocker spaniel labrador retriever and springer spaniel are believed to be more.

Otitis media refers to an inflammation of the dog s middle ear while otitis interna refers to an inflammation of the inner ear both of which are commonly caused by bacterial infection. Acute and chronic infections. Chronic dog ear infections are the bane of long eared dogs swimming dogs recently vaccinated puppies old dogs dogs with an abundance of ear wax and dogs with allergies thyroid imbalances or immune system disorders. For one in four of those dogs the condition is chronic.

Catching and treating an infection early while it s still in the outer ear will help prevent more serious middle and inner ear infections. Otitis media and otitis interna in dogs. Acute ear infections are those every now and then infections that can happen. Recurrent bacterial and yeast infections and infection of the middle ear can fall into this category.

In other words ear infections are among the most common recurring canine problems. Chronic otitis is basically a long lasting ear infection that can affect any dog causing itchy painful smelly ears. It s estimated that about 20 of dogs have some form of ear disease.