CANINE EAR INFECTIONS

Causes.

Dog ears can be erect (pricked), bent or completely flopped over, but however they are shaped on the outside, the anatomy on the inside remains the same. The ear canal travels first vertically down from the ear flap (pinna) before making a horizontal shift to the ear drum, and it is this L shape that makes the canine ear so vulnerable to moisture retention and parasitic infestation. Parasites, moisture and debris can easily be trapped inside the ear canal, leading to irritation that, if left unchecked, will invite bacteria and yeast to take up residence in the affected area. Then, voila! Your dog develops a canine ear infection. Dog parents can often detect the presence of these infestations in their dog’s ear by the resulting smell or discharge which, along with excessive scratching, redness or swelling and head tilting and shaking, are telltale signs of a dog ear infection.

There almost always is an underlying cause of canine ear infections, allergies being the most frequent. In some instances, dog ear infection and related ear inflammation are the only signs of allergic skin disease. Aside from allergies and the aforementioned bacterial or yeast infections, dog ear infections can occur in connection with hormonal imbalances such as diabetes, hypothyroidism and Cushing’s disease, and immune mediated disorders.

Hormonal imbalances as the underlying cause of a canine ear infection are more common in dogs than in cats, and experts have found that hyperthyroidism and diabetes increase the chances of a dog developing skin infections, including dog ear infections. In fact, hypothyroidism is considered to be the most commonly occurring endocrine skin disease in dogs. Many times a canine ear infection is the first indication of these conditions that a dog parent sees. Since the majority of the underlying causes of canine ear infections will remain a lifelong issue for your dog, you can expect that inflammation and canine inner ear infections (internal otitis), middle ear infections (otitis media) and ear canal infections (external otitis) will recur periodically.

Let’s take diabetes as an example. Studies have shown that free radicals play a part in the development of this disease. These free radicals weaken and break down pancreatic cell membranes unless attacked and destroyed by antioxidants. If left to their own devices, the free radicals will eventually destroy the pancreas’s ability to produce insulin on its own. Now let’s take a look at allergies in relation to canine ear infections. Allergies are actually the attempts that a dog’s immune system makes to flush the body of outside irritants, or allergens. Pollen, mold, dust mites and other inhalants are the most common substances that trigger canine allergies, food allergies less so; however, ear mites as a cause of ear infection are less common in dogs than in cats. Itching and inflammation of the skin are two of the most common signs of allergies, others being respiratory signs such as wheezing, sneezing and coughing and nasal or eye discharge and digestive signs like vomiting and diarrhea. The ear canal can also clog with brown wax or become red, inflamed and moist. Dogs most likely to be susceptible to allergens are those with weakened immune systems, hormonal imbalances, infections or emotional stress. It would be a good idea to gently clean inside and under the ear flaps with a mineral oil- or ear cleanser-soaked cloth after a romp outdoors to remove any allergens that may have become trapped in the ear canal.

A poor diet having a high sugar content and food hypersensitive dermatitis can make your dog susceptible to dog yeast infections (also referred to as dog Candida). The dog parent will notice either a brown, waxy discharge with rancid odor or a red, inflamed and moist ear with little discharge. These infections are usually kept under control by beneficial bacteria that metabolize the sugars that Candida feast on. Too much sugar invites the development of Candida in your dog’s system, and too much Candida attacks and destroys beneficial bacteria. Candida waste products, toxic in their own right, can bring on fatigue and weaken the immune system, thus opening the door to all manner of issues, including canine ear infections. If left unchecked, Candida can develop into a fungus that penetrates the intestinal wall and impairs its ability to absorb vital nutrients. A fungal outbreak can lead to leaky gut syndrome, in which bacteria, toxins and undigested food leak into the bloodstream and cause systemic infections and autoimmune problems like allergies. And, as discussed above, allergies also lead to dog ear infections. The vicious cycle begins.

It is important to note that the ear canal is particularly delicate and prone to infection and that the majority of canine ear infections occur in breeds having long, floppy ears. With decreased air flow to the ear canal, these ears tend to retain moisture and become breeding grounds for bacteria. Some breeds, such as the Chinese Shar-Pei, possess narrow ear canals that also contribute to the development of canine ear infections. Others have an abundance of hair that blocks air flow to the canal.

Symptoms.

Is your dog scratching or rubbing at her ears more often than usual? Frequently shaking her head? Chances are that she is suffering from a canine ear infection, especially if a strong odor or discharge emanates from one or both of her ears or her ears are red and inflamed.

Each type of canine ear infection has its own signature set of symptoms. Ceruminous otitis is characterized by an oily, yellowish waxy buildup in the ear canal that serves as a powerful breeding ground for bacteria and yeast.  Bacterial otitis as caused by Staphylococci causes a moist, light brown discharge; chronic infections caused by Proteus or Pseudomonas bacteria generally give off a yellow or green discharge. Yeast or fungal infections, which can develop if too much beneficial bacteria is killed off by antibiotics used to combat a bacterial infection, exhibit a brown, waxy discharge with rancid odor or red, inflamed and moist ear with minimal discharge.

Experts strongly urge dog parents to get veterinary help as soon as they suspect a canine ear infection, as external ear infections readily progress to the middle ear if left untreated.

Prevention.

A diet rich in antioxidants builds your dog’s resistance to the free radical damage that leads to diabetes and diabetes-related ear canal infections. However, if diabetes does develop, insulin therapy and a high fiber diet consisting of complex carbohydrates are recommended to sustain a longer-lasting increase in blood glucose levels after meals. Be sure to include plenty of grains like rice, oats and corn meal, vegetables like green beans, corn and winter squash, milk and milk products and eggs in your dog’s meals.

Proper supplementation also aids the body’s glucose metabolism. Brewer’s yeast, in particular, is extremely effective in managing canine diabetes (and, therefore, canine ear infections). The B complex vitamins in brewer’s yeast aid in carbohydrate metabolism, and the chromium that is also found in brewer’s yeast helps your dog to utilize blood sugar more effectively. Vitamins C and E work in concert to introduce powerful antioxidants to your dog’s system and strengthen her cell membranes to fight free radical damage.  Herbs like alfalfa (also an antioxidant), calendula and dandelion leaf (a good source of Vitamins C and E and Vitamin B complex) assist the diabetes-weakened body in digestion and nutrient absorption. Burdock root (another antioxidant that also assists the kidneys in waste elimination) helps to manage blood sugar levels. By keeping your dog’s body in balance and her diabetes under control, there is less likelihood that diabetes-related dog ear infections will develop.

To discourage yeast infections from developing in your dog, experts advise that you avoid over-use of antibiotics and vaccinations, which can weaken the immune system, and put her on a meat-based diet, if you have not already done so. Proper nutrition plays a huge role in preventing the development of any of the conditions that lead to canine ear infections.

Antioxidants like the afore-mentioned Vitamins A, C and E that build the body’s resistance to free radicals and other toxins support the skin’s ability to shed toxins from the body. And, as we know, healthy skin resists infection. Vitamin A, or beta-carotene, is a particularly effective free radical combatant that strengthens the skin and mucous membranes and immune system. Vitamin C both stimulates the immune system and functions as an antioxidant on its own and as the protector of other antioxidants like Vitamin E. It stands to reason that you should keep your dog’s immune system functioning properly so that it can successfully resist the substances to which it is most sensitive.

Remedy/Treatment.

Proper management of the underlying cause or causes and treatment of your dog’s ear infections when they occur are the keys to effective management of her ear health. Prompt attention to a canine ear canal infection will prevent that infection from spreading to her middle or inner ear and causing serious damage to her hearing.

A proper veterinary diagnosis of any canine ear infection includes a thorough ear cleaning and visual examination with the assistance of an otoscope. Visual examination confirms whether the ear drum is intact and whether a foreign object may be present. It is particularly important to confirm the condition of the ear drum since certain medications cannot be used to treat the infection if the drum is perforated. Finally, a sample of the waxy substance inside the ear is taken for analysis to determine the proper course of treatment.

The first step in any treatment program is a complete ear cleaning performed by your veterinarian with ear-cleaning solution, syringe, ear curette and cotton. The reasoning is twofold: a clean ear discourages bacterial or yeast development, and ear debris prevents medication from reaching the surface of the ear canal. Follow-up, at-home cleanings may be necessary.

Conventional treatments for yeast infections include anti-fungal medications that attack only the infection and may trigger their own set of deleterious side effects. It is all well and good to turn to conventional medications like those that treat yeast infections and over the counter pseudo ephedrine and antihistamines to treat the congestion and allergic reactions that trigger a dog’s ear infections. Topical and oral medications soothe the skin and treat the infections themselves, and regular ear cleansing keeps the ears clean and the pH in balance to make the ear environment inhospitable to future flare ups. But what about the underlying causes? If they are not addressed, the infections will most likely reoccur throughout your dog’s life.

Supplementation with NuVet Plus has been shown to greatly help dogs suffering from canine ear infections by strengthening the body against underlying causes. Even your most expensive dog foods can lack the proper nutrition necessary to optimal cell function and longevity. Our scientists formulated NuVet Plus after extensive testing with many different ingredients and combinations of ingredients, including vitamins, brewer’s yeast and herbs like alfalfa, burdock root, calendula and dandelion leaf.

NuVet Plus obtains its Vitamin B complex from chicken liver, which is good for fighting inflammation and boosting immunity. NuVet paddle-dries its chicken liver to better retain Vitamin C complex, Vitamins A and C and important omega fatty acids. The NuVet Plus formula gives your dog’s immune system a synergistic and powerful antioxidant boost to help it fight off the effects of free radicals. When NuVet Plus is added to your dog’s diet, it jumps in to assist her natural defense system.

NuVet Plus’s ingredients provide the nutrients necessary to proper hormonal balance, improve resistance to disease and parasites, and heal tissues from the ravages of infection. The instance of dog ear infections can be slowed and even prevented altogether through the continuous use of NuVet Plus and a proper diet.