Dog Keeps Swishing Ears: It's Seeking Help!

Occasionally, you might notice your dog shaking its ears, which could be due to water in the ears, insect bites, or other discomforts. These issues are generally not a cause for concern. However, if your furry friend starts to shake its ears frequently or scratch at them with its paws, it's time to take notice! This might be your dog's way of signaling that it's in distress, possibly suffering from ear mites, Malassezia, or other ear canal inflammations.

Did you know that approximately 20% of dogs will experience at least one ear infection in their lifetime?

The Lshaped structure of a dog's ear canal, combined with dense ear hair or large, droopy ears in some breeds, can lead to poor ventilation and trapped moisture, creating an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and making ear infections more likely.

• Dog Breeds Prone to Ear Diseases:

Shih Tzu, Labrador Retriever, Poodle, Beagle, Golden Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, Bichon Frise, and more...

• Three Types of Ear Infections in Dogs:

External otitis, middle earitis, and internal otitis.

External otitis, which affects the earflap and the vertical and horizontal ear canals, is the most common and usually the easiest to treat.

Middle and internal otitis are less common but more severe. Many cases of middle earitis are secondary to chronic external otitis. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent hearing loss in dogs, and in severe cases, it may result in meningitis, paralysis, seizures, and even death.

• Common Causes and Symptoms of Infections:

① Common Causes: Bacterial infections, Malassezia, ear mites, allergies, foreign bodies, ear tumors, or trauma.

② Common Symptoms: Frequent ear scratching, head shaking, red and swollen ear canals, increased secretion (which may be dark brown, black, or yellow pus, or even pus and fluid), and an unpleasant odor.

• Diagnostic Methods:

Typically, a veterinarian will first examine the ear canal with an otoscope, then collect secretions for microscopic examination to identify the type of bacteria.

After determining the specific cause and extent of the infection, a targeted treatment plan is developed.

During the examination, the vet will check for the integrity of the eardrum, as certain medications can damage a dog's hearing if the eardrum is ruptured.

• Treatment Measures:

In cases of mild external otitis, treatment is relatively straightforward:

1. Ear MiteInduced Otitis: Clean the ear canal with a gentle pet ear cleaning solution, and if your dog has ear hair, it may need to be trimmed to ensure proper ventilation and hygiene. Then, apply an ear mite medication containing ingredients like nystatin, permethrin, and triamcinolone, and remember to deworm your dog regularly.

Recommended Products: Erfenfen (Pet Ear Cleaning Solution) + Xinrining (Combination Nystatin Ointment) + Tipai (Pyriproxyfen Moexiphamide Drop)

2. Malassezia Infection: Clean the ear canal and apply an ear medication with antifungal ingredients. Also, consider supplementing your dog with Bcomplex vitamins to boost its immune system.

Recommended Products: Erfenfen Solution + Combination Miconazole Ear Drops/Itraconazole Ear Drops + Shiwibei (Complex Vitamin B Solution)

3. Simple Bacterial Infection: Regularly clean the ear canal and use antibacterial and antifungal ear drops, along with oral antibiotics to control the infection.

Recommended Products: Erfenfen Solution + Erdi (Fluoroxyvinyl Nitrofurantoin Ear Drops) + Kejia (Amoxicillin Clavulanate Potassium)

In cases of severe middle or internal otitis, systemic antibiotics, ear canal flushing, and even surgery may be necessary. Such situations are generally not recommended for selftreatment, as they can lead to complications like cerebellar abscesses, purulent meningitis, and even death.