Ears - infection

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Your dog’s outer ear canal is within a long cartilage tube that extends vertically downwards from the external opening, round a right angled bend and then continuing horizontally to the ear drum.  Any infection or inflammation will result in a build up of material within the canal as well as swelling of the lining which will cause narrowing of the canal and ulceration at the bend where the two sides rub together.
Ear infections can be very painful which may not only make it difficult to apply medications, but may also affect your dog’s reaction to being petted!

There are a variety of organisms that are commonly associated with ear disease. It is important to identify the organism in each case as this will help with the selection of the appropriate medication. Inappropriate medication or incorrect use may result in the growth of resistant organisms or yeasts which can be more problematic to treat. 
The lining of the ear canal is simply a specialised extension of the skin and so generalised conditions (such as food allergies) may also cause inflammatory changes in the ear which can become secondary infected. Resolving the underlying problem will often control the ear disease.

In long standing cases, the lining of the ear canal can become permanently thickened such that the canal becomes permanently occluded. This makes topical medication virtually impossible and surgical correction may be advised to facilitate control.

The organisms may penetrate through the ear drum to set up a middle ear infection. This is painful and may be associated with balance problems.

What your veterinarian will want to know

Your veterinarian will want to know how long the problem has been present. If it occurred suddenly in the summer months while out for a walk, a grass seed foreign body is possible. Longer standing cases may become secondary infected so the initial cause may be masked.
Is this a recurring problem? If so is it seasonal?
Does your dog suffer from other skin disease?
Are there any associated balance or incoordination problems?

What your veterinarian may do

Following a full clinical examination, your veterinarian will examine both ear canals using a special instrument with a light and a nozzle. This may be possible conscious, but may require sedation or even an anaesthetic. This will enable visualisation of the ear drums, removal of any foreign bodies, sampling of material for microscopic examination and cleaning out debris.

In cases of long standing inflammation where visualisation of the whole length of the canal is not possible, he might suggest a course of anti-inflammatory drugs followed by re-examination. Surgical intervention may be recommended in some of these long-standing cases.

If middle ear disease is suspected, your veterinarian may suggest an X-Ray and possible surgery.
If an underlying skin problem is also present, your veterinarian may suggest blood tests or food trials to try to identify a possible allergic cause.