It is very common for ear problems to arise in dogs with floppy ears like hounds. And it is also common in dogs with lots of hair growing inside the ear canals, like poodles. In either case the cause is a lack of ventilation in the ears because they are blocked. In the case of poodles it can be quite a problem, causing significant discomfort to them.

But not only the above types of dogs, but rather all types of dogs can end up having ear problems.

What kind of signs should you look for to know when your dog is facing some ear discomfort? The main thing is that you`ll see him scratching. Sometimes the scratching may be quite violent, even resulting in some bleeding or hematoma (which we will discuss more below). The dog may also tilt his head to the side, or frequently shake his head in an attempt to expel
the mystery element that is causing the discomfort. If you take a look inside the pooch`s ears you may discover pus, a buildup of ear wax, or dried blood-like residue. Swelling and inflammation may also be present. A foul odor may also be emitted.

What Can You Do About It?

First of all, the most important point is what you should NOT do, because you can inadvertently cause damage rather than fix the problem. Please do not start poking things in your dog`s ears and prying around like objects like hair pins or matchsticks. Veterinarians are extremely concerned about this point and insist that you should never ever probe inside a dog`s ears.

Dogs` ears are much more delicate that humans` ears. The owner thinks he is helping his dog, but he can easily make matters worse or cause a new problem entirely.

1) Wax
2) Ear mites
3) Infection
4) Hematoma

It is very common for an overabundance of wax to be found inside the ear canal. Myths of home remedies abound, for example adding mineral oil inside the dog`s ear and then massaging the outer side of his ear to get the wax out. This is something you should definitely NOT do! You could cause damagae to the ear lining. Rather, bring your dog to the veterinary clinic and let the vet fix the issue.

Another thing you might find inside the dog`s ear is ear mites. They are a kind of parasite that can live in your dog`s ears, causing the pooch some very annoying discomfort along the way. There are some rumors that you should wash out the mites with oil. But this often simply causes your dog more discomfort in the short term, and doesn`t even eliminate the mite problem. So once again, a visit the vet would be preferable.

Sometimes the skin of the external part of the ear canal becomes inflamed as a result of infection or the presence of parasites. This is called Otitis. Otitis often makes your dog`s ear so sore that he will resist if you get anywhere near it. If this is the case, you can give him some temporary relief with half of an aspirin with a bit of mineral oil or baby oil on a cotton swab. You apply this to the highly sensitive external ear canal. In the event that your dog has trouble balancing, that could mean that the middle ear has become infected.

Up above we mentioned some dried blood-like deposits. These are actually blisters filled with blood, which result in inflammation of the ear. The original cause is usually being bitten or scratched by another animal, or the dog scratching himself. This condition can be quite serious in that it typically requires a surgical procedure to remedy.

The general message of the above information is simple – if you notice any of these problems in your dog`s ears, don`t go tampering with his ears yourself. Take him to the vet and let an expert deal with the problem professionally.