Eardrum Rupture in Dogs

If your dog’s eardrum has become perforated, you will need to seek veterinary attention. An eardrum that is perforated and left untreated can cause long-term effects for your dog and even deafness in the affected ear. 

There are several ways your dog’s eardrum can rupture or perforate including sudden and severe changes in atmospheric pressure, middle ear infection, very loud noises, trauma and foreign objects.

Your dog’s eardrum is a thin membrane called the tympanic membrane that acts as a separator of the middle and inner ear and the external ear. You cannot see the tympanic membrane or eardrum since it is located deep inside your dog’s ear canal. The primary function of the eardrum is to transmit sounds that are captured to the middle ear’s ossicles. The ossicles are three small bones that then transmit the sounds that have been captured to the labyrinth.

You may not be aware that your dog is suffering from an eardrum rupture and just assume that they are ignoring you or being stubborn. There are several symptoms that will let you know that there is something wrong with your dog and you need to make a trip to see your veterinarian. These symptoms include:

• Ear pain
• Pus-like discharge from the ear
• Sudden hearing loss
• Inflamed or red ear canal
• Shaking their head
• Tilting their head
• Incoordination or stumbling
• Nystagmus or eyes that dart back and forth
• Paralysis of the face including inability to blink

An eardrum rupture can result from a number of things. You may never figure out what caused your dog’s eardrum to rupture, but you should never leave a ruptured eardrum untreated. Potential causes include:

• Middle ear infection
• Exposure to toxins
• Trauma
• Extremely loud noises
• Foreign objects that have invaded the ear canal
• Severe and/or sudden changes in atmospheric pressure

Your veterinarian will begin the appointment by taking a medical history of your dog and then performing a physical examination. An ear examination is needed to properly diagnose an eardrum that has ruptured. Many dogs will need to be sedated during the ear examination. 

Some veterinarians will use an old-school test that looks for air bubbles that form in the ear canal as your dog breathes. Another test that can be performed is using fluorescein in the ear canal. If the fluorescein comes out through your dog’s nose, the eardrum has ruptured.

Your veterinarian will also want to perform routine diagnostic tests such as a complete blood count, biochemistry panel and urinalysis. These will help rule out other possible causes and also determine if an infection present. Radiographs, CT scans and MRI scans may determine the severity of a middle ear infection, if present.

Once your dog has been diagnosed with an eardrum rupture, your veterinarian will discuss your treatment options with you. Be sure to follow your veterinarian’s instructions and give any prescribed medication as directed.

Your veterinarian will need to perform a thorough ear flushing, generally performed under sedation, to ensure that any foreign matter or pus has been removed. Your dog may also need to be put on oral antifungal medications and oral antibiotics. If your dog is suffering from pain or inflammation, corticosteroids may also need to be prescribed.

Do not give your dog over the counter medications unless your veterinarian has given the okay to do so. Many over the counter medications can be harmful if your dog’s eardrum has ruptured. 

In some instances, surgery may be required to repair extensive damage that may have occurred from the ruptured eardrum. Your veterinarian will discuss which surgical procedure will be best for your dog.

A ruptured eardrum will usually heal within three to six weeks if the rupture has not required surgery and your dog responds well to the treatment plan. Depending on severity of the rupture, your dog may experience permanent hearing loss or even permanent neurological complications. Dogs that require surgery will take longer to recover and will need more frequent follow up visits with their veterinarian. 

You should never try to treat a ruptured eardrum without first consulting your veterinarian. Be sure to listen to your veterinarian and follow their prescribed treatment plan. Any questions or concerns regarding your dog’s care need to be directed to your veterinarian.