Quick Relief for Dog's Red, Swollen Ears with Yellow Di

When your furry friend's ears turn red and swollen, with a discharge of yellow fluid, it's typically a sign of a serious otitis externa or otitis media, which, if left untreated, can even lead to otitis interna. This condition not only affects your dog's hearing but can also trigger meningitis, posing a serious threat to their life. Therefore, if you notice your pet displaying symptoms like red, itchy ears and a yellow discharge, it's crucial to seek medical attention promptly!

Dogs, unlike humans, have more hair in their ear canals, making them more prone to accumulating dirt and debris. When water gets in, it creates a breeding ground for bacteria, leading to ear infections. Moreover, certain breeds, such as Poodles, Yorkshire Terriers, Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, and Border Collies, with their large, hanging ears, have poor ventilation in the ear canal, which creates an ideal environment for anaerobic bacteria, fungi, and mites. Thus, these breeds often need to be extra vigilant about ear infections.

This article is written because, with the recent hot weather, many pet owners have taken their dogs swimming and failed to dry them off properly. A few days later, they find their dogs frequently shaking their heads and scratching their ears. Upon examination, it's discovered that the dogs have developed severe otitis externa. Some owners have even exacerbated the situation by misusing medication, leading to the infection spreading to the outer ear and causing severe dermatitis.

Therefore, to help pet parents better understand the pathology and treatment options for canine ear infections, and to prevent missed opportunities for the best treatment, let's delve into the causes and treatment methods for dogs exhibiting symptoms like red, swollen ears, yellow discharge, and headshaking.

What Causes Dogs' Ears to Swell and Discharge Yellow Fluid?

1. Bacterial Infection

Dog ears can become infected after water exposure, injury from foreign objects, bites from parasites, excessive earwax, or overcleaning.

2. Malassezia Infection

Malassezia is a common bacterium that causes ear inflammation, leading to redness, increased discharge, and a foul smell.

3. Ear Mites

While less common in dogs than in cats, ear mites can still affect dogs. Early symptoms include itching, a stronger odor (like fish), and brownish waxy discharge. Later stages, with secondary bacterial infections, result in red, swollen ears with yellow discharge.

How to Treat Canine Ear Inflammation?

1. Wear a Collar

Wearing a collar during treatment is essential to prevent your dog from scratching their ears, which can spread the infection and worsen the ear canal damage.

2. Clean the Ear Canal

Use a gentle pet ear cleanser, such as Ear Cleanse (Pet Ear Care Solution), which contains plant extracts and is free from boric acid, reducing irritation to the ear canal mucosa. This makes the cleaning process less painful and less resistant for your dog, and some of the plant ingredients have excellent antibacterial properties, aiding in the treatment of ear mites and otitis.

It is recommended to clean the ears once or twice a day. After applying the ear cleanser, gently massage the base of the ear canal. Once the earwax is sufficiently dissolved, release your dog's head, allowing them to shake out the debris, and then clean it away with a cotton ball or tissue.

3. Choose Ear Medications

① Topical Ear Clear (Fluoroquinolone Nitrofurazone Ear Drops) or Ear Ease (Miconazole Nitrate Ointment).

Fluoroquinolone Nitrofurazone Ear Drops are effective against Gramnegative and anaerobic bacteria that cause otitis, with strong penetration and minimal irritation. It is recommended to use twice a day, 34 drops per time, for 57 days.

Miconazole Nitrate Ointment targets bacteria, fungi, and ear mites, with a broader antibacterial spectrum. It is recommended to alternate with Fluoroquinolone Nitrofurazone Ear Drops, using it once a day, as needed.

② Oral Knockout (Amoxicillin Clavulanate Potassium) or Cefalexin Tablets, to further control inflammation, taken once a day.

③ Regular Deworming: Parents without regular deworming should be aware of it. Deworming medications containing selamectin, ivermectin, and pyrantel moxidectin can effectively kill mites. Note that Collies should not use ivermectin to avoid potential poisoning.

Parents with the means are advised to take their dogs to a veterinary clinic for otoscopic examination and ear canal cytology to determine the specific cause and condition of the disease before using targeted medication.