When a human has an ear infection they can usually tell you that their ears are bothering them. Dogs don’t have this ability so it is up the dog owner to keep an eye out for the signs and symptoms of an ear infection in their dog.
Nobody wants to see their pets suffering from something that is so easily prevented, but sometimes a dog will get an ear infection and there is no way of knowing how they got it. Because of this, you have to keep checking your dog’s ears and watching for any symptoms that might pop up.
If your dog is constantly shaking its head for no reason, there is a good chance that your dog has an ear infection. This could mean that it’s something blocking your dog’s ear canal, like a small object or even some water that got caught. The constant shaking of the head is the dog’s way of trying to get that object out of its ear. They can’t necessarily reach up and pull it out so they shake their heads in the hopes that whatever is caught will get dislodged. Sometimes this may work, but sometimes it makes things worse.
You may also see your dog walking with its head cocked over to one side, letting the infected ear hang down. This relieves some of the pressure in the dog’s ear and lets any fluids drain freely. If you notice fluids draining from your dog’s ears you should take them to the vet immediately. If you look in this ear you may notice an extreme buildup of ear wax causing the dog to cock its head over. You will also notice a persistent ear rubbing and scratching at this stage as well.
Although it is normal for dogs to have ear wax, if it becomes foul smelling or this is discharge, you should consult your vet as soon as possible. Discharge of ear wax that has a foul smell is a sure sign that your dog has an ear infection. You may also notice that the ear has become swollen and is tender to the touch. If this happens, the ear infection has traveled out of the ear canal and may possibly have entered the blood veins in the outer ear. This can be extremely dangerous for your dog as it could end up in the heart.
If your dog has contracted an ear infection you will notice that it has a balance problem when it walks. While this may seem cute at first, it can lead to more complications later on. Your dog will more than likely lean or walk towards the side that has the ear infection. If you notice this happening, take your dog to your vet and have it checked out.