Is Your Dog Suffering?
Recognizing Ear Infection Symptoms & How Vets Diagnose Them. Early detection is key to your dog's comfort and health.
Observable Signs (What Owners Should Look For)
- Head shaking or tilting
- Scratching or rubbing ears/face
- Reluctance to have head/ears touched
- General irritability or lethargy
- Redness and swelling of ear flap or canal
- Discharge (waxy brown/black, yellow/green pus, bloody)
- Foul odor from the ears
- Crusts or scabs around the ear
- Hair loss around ears from scratching
- Whining or yelping when ears are touched
- Loss of balance, circling (may indicate middle/inner ear)
- Unusual eye movements (nystagmus)
- Facial drooping, hearing loss
If you notice severe signs like loss of balance, facial drooping, or significant pain, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Why Early Diagnosis is Key
Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial to:
- Alleviate your dog's pain and discomfort quickly.
- Prevent the infection from becoming chronic or spreading deeper into the ear.
- Reduce the risk of complications like hearing loss or irreversible ear canal changes.
- Identify and manage any underlying causes to prevent recurrence.
Veterinary Diagnostic Process at Beyond Pets Animal Hospital
Our veterinarians at Beyond Pets Animal Hospital follow a thorough process to accurately diagnose ear infections:
We'll discuss your dog's symptoms, duration, past issues, diet, and activities. A general health check and careful ear examination follow.
An otoscope allows us to visualize the ear canal and eardrum, checking for inflammation, discharge, foreign bodies, parasites, masses, and eardrum integrity. Beyond Pets may use video otoscopy for enhanced visualization.
A sample of ear debris is examined under a microscope to identify bacteria, yeast, inflammatory cells, and sometimes mites. This is crucial for guiding specific treatment.
Performed for severe, recurrent, or unresponsive infections, or if rod-shaped bacteria are seen. It identifies specific bacteria and effective antibiotics.
May include allergy testing, biopsy (for tumors/lesions), or imaging (X-rays, CT, MRI) if middle ear disease is suspected or the canal is severely affected.
Concerned About These Symptoms?
Understanding the diagnostic process helps appreciate the thoroughness required for effective treatment. If your dog is showing signs, don't wait.