What are Ear Infection due to Allergies?
Inflamed and irritated skin are typical signs of an allergy in dogs, and the skin in the ear is not immune to the changes. An allergy, whether contact, inhalant, or food will influence the condition of the inner ear and surrounding skin.
In order to cure a chronic ear infection due to allergies, the source of the allergy must be determined and dealt with first. The ear contains skin, glands, and fluid which are all part of the normal ear make-up. In addition, a natural balance of yeast and bacteria can be found in the ear as well. When the balance is disrupted (for example, by the inflammation due to allergies), the ear becomes infected.
Signs like shaking of the head and the obvious discomfort of your dog when you try to touch or check his ears will alert you to the fact that along with the allergies, your pet has an ear infection. A veterinary visit is necessary so that your pet can be relieved of the pain and itching of an ear infection due to allergies.
Chronic ear infection in dogs is one of the most common ailments found to occur concurrently with allergies. Along with providing relief for your pet’s discomfort, a veterinarian can evaluate your dog’s ears in order to diagnose the cause of the irritation. An ear infection is described in medical terms as otitis externa.
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Symptoms of Ear Infection due to Allergies in Dogs
If you have a canine companion who has known allergies, or if you are in the midst of a diagnosis period as you and the veterinarian work to determine the cause of itchy, inflamed skin, you will benefit from the knowledge of knowing that your pet is susceptible to ear infections as an allergy sufferer. Signs that your dog may have an ear infection will become more and more evident as the infection develops.
- Pain
- Vocalization of pain
- Odor coming from the ear
- Fluid or waxy substance build-up in the ear
- Shaking of the head
- Rubbing of ears on the floor
- Discomfort when touched
- Redness in the ear canal
- Scratching of the ears
- Self-harm due to excessive itching
If the ear infection reaches an advanced stage, your dog may experience loss of coordination and balance, and hearing loss.
Types
Ear infections can be broken down into 3 types:
- Externa - infection of the outer ear canal
- Media - infection in the middle ear
- Interna - infection found in the inner ear
Causes of Ear Infection due to Allergies in Dogs
Allergy leading to secondary infection is one of the main causes of ear infection. Other reasons for ear infection can be breed predisposition (such as Basset Hound, Poodle or Cocker Spaniel), foreign body in the ear (like a foxtail or dirt), trauma to the ear, hormonal imbalances in the body, and parasites (such as mites).
Diagnosis of Ear Infection due to Allergies in Dogs
If you are concerned about your dog due to excessive scratching of his ear, or wonder why there is vocalization of discomfort when he does, contact your veterinarian for an appointment. Stopping an ear infection from progressing to the middle or inner ear is important as serious consequences like rupture of the eardrum or thickening of the ear canal (which can lead to hearing loss) may occur.
The veterinarian will begin the examination with a complete physical (weight, pulse, respiration) and will ask for a history of your pet’s recent illnesses to date, travel of late, and any dietary changes that have been made in the past few months. The veterinarian will look over your dog’s body, examining the skin for irritation and redness.
The ear examination, using an otoscope, may require your pet to be sedated if the ears are particularly sensitive or sore. The veterinary team will want to avoid injury to the ear, making anesthesia a necessity. One benefit of the sedation is that the veterinarian may be able to clean your dog’s ears at the same time as the examination.
A sample of the contents of your canine companion’s ear will be examined under the microscope to check for bacteria, yeast, or mites. In addition, a culture may be done which may further indicate the reason for the problem. In some cases, the veterinarian will want to order blood tests to rule out underlying illnesses that may cause ear infections, such as hormone imbalances and thyroid issues.
Treatment of Ear Infection due to Allergies in Dogs
If your dog has infected ears due to allergies, the allergen will need to be identified. Treatment of the ear infection can take place but the condition will return again, possibly becoming chronic, if the allergy is not being treated also.
Ear Cleanse
An ear infection is typically treated with a thorough but gentle cleaning of the ear (usually under sedation or anesthesia). Depending on the severity of the infection, this may have to be repeated at the veterinary office in a few days time.
Medication
The medications prescribed may be based on the results from the culture or microscopic screening. The types of medication given could be antibiotics, antifungal drugs, topical medications in the form of ointments or drops, antihistamines, and anti-inflammatories.
Identification of the Allergen
An all important part of the treatment of an ear infection due to allergies is to identify and treat the allergy accordingly. Relevant testing for contact, inhalant, and food allergies must be done to relieve your pet of the symptoms and eliminate the source of the problem.
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Recovery of Ear Infection due to Allergies in Dogs
Ongoing care of the ear as needed and control of the allergy will be paramount to recovery. The veterinarian may prescribe a gentle cleanser for you to use at home. Follow the instructions carefully and complete the course of medication as prescribed. Stopping before you should may result in the infection returning with a vengeance. If you have concerns about how well the infection is clearing up, contact the clinic without delay.
Ear Infection due to Allergies Average Cost
From 447 quotes ranging from $200 - $3,500
Average Cost
$300
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Ear Infection due to Allergies Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Blue Nose Pitbull
Felony
5 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Redness
Shaking
Bleeding
Itching
Crying
My pitbull has chronic ear infections and has lost her hearing , I took her to the vet in December and they said its allergies he gave me ear drops and pills but she keeps getting them he never tried to test for what she's allergic to or do any kind of surgery . She scratches so often she causes her ears to bleed and nothing seems to help the infection anymore I changed her food 3 times and she's moved from new York to Texas back to new York and now in new Mexico so very different environments and she still gets infections . What can I do to permanently stop her chronic ear infections?
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
If the cause of the ear infections is attributable to allergies, it would be best to determine the allergen (food, environment etc…) so that it can either be eliminated from the diet or environment or at very least controlled and you will know what you are dealing with. There are different tests available to determine allergies, you may speak with your Veterinarian or with a Specialist to see the best way forward. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
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Cairn Terrier
Moxie
8 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Ear Infection
Hello! My Cairn Terrier had an ear infection three weeks ago. The only other time she has ever had an ear infection was about 6 years ago. Do you think this most recent infection was caused by allergies? She had mild skin allergies when she was a pup but we were able to treat that with Benadryl and a dietary change and she's been good ever since. Thank you!
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
There are various reasons for ear infections to develop in dogs including: allergies, infections (bacterial and fungal), immunosuppression, dietary problems among other causes. Whilst an allergy may have developed, it is possible that allergies may be due to something new introduced into the diet or environment; it would be best to keep an eye on Moxie and see if there is a recurrence of the ear infection or not. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
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Cockapoo
Memphis
10 Years
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0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Ear Discharge
I have a cockapoo, female, who has had random ear infections her whole life. She is 10 now. The last several months she has been fighting a tough one. We thought the infection was gone after some treatments involving an ear gel (I don't have the name) under sedation. Then the final visit showed some bacteria again.
Now, my vet doesn't know what to do an gender suggested a dermitologist look at the ear and for me to consider a TECA which I am not on board with.
Could the infection be due to allergies if she really has no other symptoms?
July 26, 2017
0 Recommendations
Generally an ear infection due to allergies to caused by a allergy making a dog more prone to infection. Usually with this you would notice other symptoms of allergies like itching the skin etc… Finding and testing the cause of an allergy (if present) can be an uphill battle and you may not find an allergen at all. Some dogs are more prone to ear infections because of humidity in the ear canal which is why your Veterinarian has recommended total ear canal ablation surgery. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 26, 2017
Chronic Ear Infection:
My 2 year old German Shepherd this summer, has suffered badly with an ear infection, that seems to be taken ages to clear up.
He's on Antibiotics, 750mg of cephalexin twice daily, and 3 tablets of 16mg Medrol once a day. I have changed his diet to grain-free, with no chicken, and with fish being his main protein, (Earthborn Coastal Catch). He's had his ears flushed too, about 5 week ago. To me his ears seem much better, with less gunk build-up, but at each check-up, they still find bacteria in this one ear. Also put Surolan twice daily in ear.
How long does this normally take clear up.
Feb. 28, 2018
Gillian S.
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Ear Infection due to Allergies Average Cost
From 447 quotes ranging from $200 - $3,500
Average Cost
$300
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