Ear Dermatitis in Dogs

The signs of ear dermatitis can vary depending on the cause, but they almost all cause itchiness and redness. Sometimes, there are no symptoms at all and the problem is found during a veterinary examination for another illness or a routine checkup. However, in 90% of all dermatitis cases, the common symptoms you will see are:

• Scratching ears
• Chewing on ears
• Hair loss around ears
• Redness and swelling
• Foul smelling discharge
• Scabs, lesions
• Bleeding
• Shaking head
• Crusting or scaling on ear edges

Types

• Allergies can be caused by contact, food, or pollen and presents in many ways including intense scratching anywhere on the body including the ears
• Cellulitis is an infection of the skin usually called juvenile cellulitis because it almost exclusively affects young dogs between one and four months old; signs of this may include little pus-filled bumps on raised red skin
• Injury may be from bites from other animals, burns, and lacerations
• Mange is a seriously contagious disorder that can produce hair loss, redness, swelling, severe itchiness, and is caused by ear mites
• Seborrhea is dry, scaly skin usually showing up in cold weather

The cause of the dermatitis needs to be determined before a treatment plan can be made since there are different treatments for each type.

Allergy

Allergies can be treated with an antihistamine injection, but it may be the most complex to treat because you have to determine what your pet is allergic to, which may be difficult. The veterinarian may also send you to see a veterinary dermatologist for further allergy tests.

Cellulitis

Since this is caused by infection, the veterinarian will usually give your pet an injection of antibiotic.

Injury

An injury is treated depending on what caused the injury. A burn can be treated with burn cream, frostbite may need amputation, bug bites are treated with antiseptic and insect repellent cream, animal bites are usually treated with corticosteroids and antiseptic. All of these injuries will also need antibiotics to prevent or clear up infection.

Mange

There are two types of mange, which are sarcoptic and demodectic, and they are both extremely contagious so you have to keep your pet away from other pets. Afoxolaner, permethrin, ivermectin, selamectin, and sulfurated lime rinse are all effective treatments is the treatment, usually done a few times over several months.

Seborrhea

This disorder can be treated with mild soap and water and moisturizer, but it is a lifetime disorder so once you find a good treatment, stick with it.