Canine Ear Diseases

A dog’s ear is made up of three parts; external ear, middle ear, and inner ear.  Ear infections or otitis can occur in any of these areas.  Otitis externa affects the outer ear, otitis media involves the middle ear, and otitis interna occurs in the inner ear.  Most disorders involving the ears occur in the outer ear area.

Otitis externa results from anything that irritates the ear canal.  Undue moisture in the ear, bacterial infections, injuries, allergies, yeast infections, and wax build-up are frequently cited as a cause for otitis externa.

Otitis media generally occurs as a result of neglect or progression of an outer ear infection.  Infections of the nose or throat can be the cause of otitis media inflammations.  Bacteria from a disease in another part of the body can be carried by way of the bloodstream to the middle ear area. 

Otitis interna usually happens when an external or middle ear problem is neglected.  Issues of this nature often affect hearing and equilibrium.

Some breeds, mostly those with ears that droop or have heavy hair growth experience more ear infections.  Examples of some canines that are more susceptible to ear infections include cocker spaniels, poodles, and schnauzers.