Many dog owners are faced with the problem of otitis media. To be more precise, this name often characterizes a wide range of diseases that are characterized by the same symptoms. This is an unpleasant odor from the ears of dogs, as well as obvious anxiety of the pet. If you observe these symptoms, then do not put it off, but immediately go to the veterinarian. At first, treatment can be quite easy and simple, but if the disease gets worse, you will have to deal with complications. This means that the therapeutic process will become longer and more expensive.
How to determine
I would like to note once again that it is the smell from the ears of dogs that often becomes the reason for contacting a specialist. This is easy to explain; it causes considerable discomfort to the owner himself. Even if the animal lives with you for the first time, it will not be difficult to distinguish the norm from the pathology. Even if the pet's health is excellent, the smell from the ears of dogs rarely resembles the scent of flowers. But if it causes outright nausea, then this is 100% a sign of a disease of the auditory system.
Treatment of diseases in which the dog's ears smell
Treatment for ears that smell will depend on the diagnosis. Dogs are often diagnosed with not one, but two diseases, then both will be treated. For example, bacterial infection and Malassezia fungus or several types of bacteria. Please be aware that the treatment of odor and the disease that caused it is strictly individual, and the information below is provided for your information.
| Group of drugs and purpose of treatment | Drug name |
| Anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to relieve pain and reduce inflammation | "Rimadyl", "Ricarfa", "Carprodil", "Trokoksil", "Ketofen". |
| Antifungal drugs | "Miconazole", "Clotrimazole", "Nystatin". |
| Antihistamines for allergies to relieve an attack | Benadryl, Zyrtec, Chlortrimeton, Atarax, Clemastine. |
| Antiparasitic agents against ear mites | drops "Dekta Forte", "Otoferonol Gold", "Surolan". |
Main symptoms
What else should a loving and attentive owner focus on? If there is a smell from the ears of dogs, then in addition to this, there should be other symptoms. Many pets itch and scratch their ears to the point of soreness. Take the trouble to turn your ear out and take a good look at it. Most often in this case, swelling, redness and constant leakage of exudate are observed.
The animal's behavior also changes. The dog walks with its head tilted to one side and also rubs its sore ear on the floor. Even lightly touching the auricle causes severe pain. The animal breaks free, runs away, and whines. The dog becomes irritable, stops playing, and is especially bothered by pain at night.
How to treat ear otitis in a Labrador
I treat my dog with the Bars series. The vet advised us. There are, of course, a lot of expensive imported drugs, but ours are no worse. But first, visit the doctor.
We make compresses with vodka, just like children did in childhood
show vetelenaru
He may have bacterial otitis media. Otonazole drops, plus 8in1 ear powder to dry the ear. Another drop of otoferonol. But it’s better not to self-medicate, go to the vets, get a smear test. It is possible that this could also be an allergy to something. We already had such a problem with the ear. Good luck, don't get sick.
Otitis can be easily treated by a veterinarian. And if you surf the Internet and not in the veterinary office, you will get chronic otitis media.
Go to the vet, he will prescribe the necessary medicine and dosage. it could be anything! and in the ear area this is especially dangerous. DON'T SLAY!
whoever made the diagnosis, let him treat. and on the Internet, contact Kashpirovsky, he is not on this site
touch.otvet.mail.ru
And what's the reason
If you have a dog with floppy ears, then the development of diseases accompanied by similar symptoms is most likely. This happens because in a constantly closed ear canal, where it is warm and humid, any bacteria that enters will grow very quickly. For example, in a German shepherd, whose ears are completely open and freely ventilated, hearing diseases are much less common than in a basset hound or dachshund.
But that is not all. A dog with floppy ears is more likely to have allergic reactions, including atopic dermatitis of the skin. To prevent such violations, you need to monitor the quality of your pet’s diet. It is best to pay attention to specialized, ready-made food.
Additionally, advanced cases of ear mites, yeast and bacterial infections are encountered in veterinary practice. Any injuries to the auricles or foreign objects entering the ear canals can lead to the development of acute or purulent otitis media. Hormonal pathologies may also play a role, for example, hypothyroidism, hereditary or autoimmune diseases and tumors.
Symptoms of what diseases
When the ear becomes inflamed and red, you can determine the specific disease by the aroma emanating from it. The table below shows commonly encountered odors, shows additional symptoms that accompany them, and determines the probable cause of their occurrence:
| Sweetish smell | Similar to the smell of an apple. Occurs when affected by ear mites. Plaque appears, ichor often flows. |
| Sour smell | Characteristic of otitis media. There is a squelching sound in the ear all the time, and dark droplets often come out. Sometimes occurs with long-term, advanced allergies. |
| Fishy smell | A sign of fungal infection. The smell of fish from the ears is always strange, unlike other stench, it is clearly defined. |
| The smell of mushrooms | Also characteristic of fungal diseases. Due to microorganisms that have settled in the ears, fluid often leaks out and the smell is constantly present. |
| Burnt smell | It appears when the ears are not properly cared for; it is provoked by the products used for treatment, especially those based on alcohol. Burns cause crusts, bad odors, and dirt. |
| Smell of manure | Present in various types of infections, when the first symptoms remain unattended for a long time: peeling, redness of the ear. |
| Rotten smell | Characteristic of purulent otitis media, as well as advanced forms of any disease in which there is an accumulation of purulent masses. An alarming sign indicating the need for urgent treatment. |
Sometimes only one ear smells unpleasant, sometimes both at once. In a healthy dog of any size, the hearing organ does not emit any aroma, and when treated with care products, a pleasant fragrance appears. If there is any suspicious odor, you need to pay attention to the presence of other accompanying symptoms in order to determine the disease and decide what to do to help your pet.
What do doctors deal with most often?
Most often, unpleasant odor from a dog's ears is associated with poor diet and food allergies. Moreover, the frequency of these cases is growing every year. The reason is simple: food products contain more and more additives to which the animal’s delicate body reacts. How are smell and allergies related? The reason is very simple: the reactions that occur in the body seriously disrupt the normal microflora inside the ear, as a result of which fungi and bacteria receive excellent conditions for growth and development. In this case, the dog’s ears itch, the surface of the shell turns red and exudate begins to secrete. Regular antihistamines and a proper diet help.
Parasites are the second most common cause of ear problems. Moreover, ear mites are only half the problem. Dogs are very sensitive to these blood-sucking insects, and as a result of their activity the same allergic reaction occurs. It is accompanied by painful itching; the dog’s ears itch, which the owner cannot help but notice. For treatment, the doctor prescribes special drugs that destroy the mite, as well as antiallergic or inflammatory drugs, depending on the form of the disease and its stage.
Finally, the third large group that veterinarians often deal with is otitis media, or inflammatory processes. They usually begin as a result of water getting into the ear while swimming or foreign objects. You need to carefully examine your pet after walking and bathing, and consult a doctor at the first signs. In this case, special antibiotics are prescribed.
Smells bad
A very unpleasant, sour odor from the ears of some breeds (Yorkies, Shih Tzus, poodles) may appear due to the presence of hair in the ears . Imagine, dirty hairs glued together with sulfur absorb all the dead cells and dirt that accidentally gets into the ear and impede the natural ventilation of the ear canal, which, of course, leads to inflammatory processes and a strong musty odor.
You'll have to learn to pluck hairs from your ear! The main thing is not to be afraid to hurt the dog: there are not many nerve endings on the surface of the skin in the auricle, and this procedure is more unpleasant than painful.
Mushrooms or fish
Ear mites are a common culprit of strange odors. It appears as a black plaque inside the ear on the surface of the auricle.
Fungi also give off a nasty fishy smell: pay attention to whether your pet is scratching its ears? All fungal infections begin with unbearable itching and redness of the ears. Fungal infections can be treated and generally identified only by a doctor ! Do not believe what is written on the Internet and do not rely on your own experience: nothing can be more accurate than analysis!
If you spend time not treating with inappropriate drugs, you can lead to surgical excision of the external auditory canal!
Sweet rotten apple
If your ear is red inside, hurts, and smells like a sweet, spoiled apple, then your tail most likely has otitis media , an inflammation characterized by severe redness, a bad odor, and a sound similar to bursting bubbles inside the ear. The presence of pus indicates purulent otitis media, a more serious form of the disease.
To treat inflammation in the ears, Mastisan is most often prescribed, which should be used for 3 days (1 time) after cleaning the ear (preferably by a doctor). It is necessary to pour a small amount of the drug into the ear canal and massage the outside of the ear. As a rule, 3 days are enough for remission to occur.
Step by step guide
First, lightly moisten a cotton swab with a special liquid or boiled water and wipe the inside of the ear. Make sure that liquid does not drip from it or flow into the sink. Now let your pet shake his ears and proceed with the main procedure. Now you need to use a cotton swab to go through all the folds and bends and remove dirt from them. Just don't try to insert the stick deep into the ear canal. By doing this you will only achieve that the sulfur will cover it even more firmly. Your goal is to clear what is within sight.
You should not overuse special lotions, especially if nothing bothers the dog. But when you smell a strong odor and see discharge, you cannot do without treatment, but only after a specialist determines what the reason is. And even more so, you should not pour anything into the ear canal, be it boric acid or alcohol. This will only cause a burn. And in place of the destroyed beneficial microflora, pathogenic microflora will develop. Normally, you need to perform the ear cleaning procedure once every one to two weeks, and if you see alarming symptoms, then go straight to the doctor. Now you know how to clean your dog's ears at home, and you can successfully use this technique for prevention.
how to remove the reasons and what to do
Often, owners may notice a foul odor from their dogs' ears, which is a cause for concern. What might these symptoms indicate and is it worth worrying about? If the dog does not show concern and behaves as usual, then this is more likely a hygiene problem. In the case when she shakes her ears, it is clear that this causes her discomfort, it is necessary to pay attention and provide help to the pet.
Causes of odor
It is impossible to say for sure what causes the smell. There are many reasons. Among the main ones, veterinarians identify the following:
- otitis;
- hematoma;
- suppuration;
- ear mite;
- deviations in the anatomical structure of the shell;
- bacterial infections;
- injuries;
- hormonal pathology;
- breed characteristics;
- foreign body or water in the ear canal;
- yeast;
- tumors;
- The most harmless thing is to clean your ears.
The ear canals are located close to the brain and any inflammatory processes can affect this organ. In this case, no one undertakes to predict the outcome of the disease. Learn more about ear diseases in dogs.
Diseases that cause odor
The main reason that an unpleasant odor appears can be infectious diseases. This often occurs due to failure to comply with basic hygiene rules, the entry of a foreign body or water, especially after swimming in a dirty pond. Often the cause is simply untreated diseases or their neglect.
Reason why dog ears smell:
Bacterial infections
This is especially true for breeds with floppy ears, such as dachshunds, spaniels, beagles and others. Their ears cover the ear canal, and this contributes to the accumulation of moisture under them. While walking, your ears get dirty and germs settle on them. Warm, humid environments make it easy for infections to develop.
Dogs with wrinkled skin, such as sharpeis, may also be at risk. Fungal infections can easily begin to develop in the folds, which the dog will transfer to his ear canal. The best way to prevent it is to take care of your ears every day.
Autoimmune or hereditary diseases
In this case, the unpleasant odor is one of the symptoms of the underlying disease; the problem can only be dealt with by curing it. The insidiousness of these diseases is that the immune system does not recognize the cells of its own body and begins to fight them and destroy them. So treatment needs specific, complex treatment, and only a veterinarian can prescribe it.
Hormonal pathology
Any hormonal disturbances in your pet’s body will sooner or later lead to diseases of the skin, and then ears. This is especially true for hormonal imbalances in the genital organs, thyroid gland, kidneys and adrenal glands, and pancreas. Comprehensive treatment is required, it is possible to prescribe hormonal drugs for life.
Injuries
If the auricle or ear canal is injured, the wound may fester, hence the unpleasant odor.
Oncology
As sad as it may be, cancer also occurs in domestic dogs. With these diseases, immunity drops sharply, the dog practically loses the ability to resist infections. Autoimmune conditions can also occur. In this case, the smell from the ears is the smallest nuisance. The dog must be treated very intensively, without deviating one step from the therapy plan.
Ear mite
Often dogs can get otodectosis (ear mites). The disease is characterized by similar symptoms. The dog constantly shakes his head, scratches his ears, sometimes to the point of bleeding. If you look into the ear canal, you can find mite excrement in the form of brown dark spots with an unpleasant odor. Here, delay is fraught with serious pathologies.
These include deafness in the dog, loss of vision, neurological diseases and even death. But you can quickly avoid such a sad picture if you consult a doctor in a timely manner and do not try to provide help yourself.
Allergy
An equally common occurrence for dogs, accompanied by similar symptoms, as well as the appearance of a rash and signs of inflammation in the ear. The dog is suffering, it is noticeable to the naked eye. He constantly scratches his ears, tries to scratch them on household items, furniture, and his owner’s feet. To help your pet, you need to find out the reason that caused such a painful reaction. It could be household chemicals, low-quality food, even the aroma of flowers or poplar fluff.
Otitis
A common occurrence in dogs. The animal shows severe anxiety, a possible increase in temperature, constantly shakes its head, may squeal when scratching its ear, and refuses to eat. If you try to look into the ear, the dog hides and does not allow you to do this. Upon examination, you may not see obvious signs. But sometimes pus is still present, the dog has brown dirt in his ears, a strong, unpleasant stench. This is already purulent otitis media.
Most often, pets with cropped ears and breeds with floppy ears are susceptible to this disease. The treatment is simple. Usually drops are prescribed, which already improve the dog’s condition on the first day. Except in cases where the disease is advanced.
Ear pain - how to determine it
The inside of the animal's ear is red and much hotter than the rest of the body. The dog shakes its head, tilts it towards the diseased organ, complains and whines. May also scratch it constantly, sometimes even until it bleeds. On the side of the diseased organ, the muscles are tense and painful on palpation.
- Discharge comes out of the ears, sometimes colorless; in advanced cases, it thickens and turns into pus.
- The dog’s behavior has changed - it is restless, aggressive, or, conversely, indifferent to everything, its appetite is reduced or absent. She may also experience insomnia.
- In all these cases, you should not self-medicate, but urgently contact a veterinarian.
Diagnosis and treatment
Any owner should understand that odor from the ears is treated. One can, of course, assume that this is dirt. To make sure, the dog’s ears are cleaned in the usual way, and if the next day the picture repeats, then professional medical help cannot be avoided.
At the clinic, the veterinarian will definitely ask what the dog has eaten for the last few days, whether there has been contact with household chemicals, and what illnesses the pet’s immediate relatives have had. This is necessary to compile an anamnesis, which will help make the most accurate diagnosis.
A veterinarian can make an immediate diagnosis by examining the ear. But sometimes, especially if the dog has been suffering for the last few days, it will be necessary to undergo a diagnostic examination:
- blood analysis;
- allergy tests;
- X-ray;
- computer diagnostics;
- Ultrasound;
- sometimes a urine test.
Whatever the doctor recommends must be followed. The animal has trusted you and hopes only for your help. If the disease is severe, then most often the owner himself is to blame. The sooner professional help is provided, the less the pet will suffer and the faster it will return to its usual lifestyle.
Never make a diagnosis or prescribe treatment on your own. Even if the dog feels relief, the course cannot be completed. Many of these diseases are fraught with relapses and more serious pathologies.
About the author: Anna Mikhailovna Tarasova
My specialty is surgery and veterinary medicine for dogs and exotic pets, I also do internal medicine and radiology.
Read more about me in the “About Us” section. realpet.ru
