Canker in dogs symptoms, causes and how to get rid of it

Canker is common in pets including cats, horses and dogs. In dogs, the ears tend to suffer various problems due to their conformation. It is therefore common for your pet to suffer ear canker in dogs. We delve into this condition in details below. We look into the symptoms of ear canker in dogs, how to get rid of and breeds most vulnerable to the condition.

Canker in Dogs’ Ears

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What is canker in dogs? Dog ear canker is a condition that causes inflammation in the outer ear also known as the otitis externa. This condition causes a lot of discomfort to the dog and if not taken care of can develop from mild to severe very fast. When this happens, the infection moves from the external part of the canal to the inner part. This increases the chances of eardrum rapture and loss of hearing with time.

Some dogs are more prone to the condition depending on their breed type which determines their conformation. Most dogs with narrow ear canals and droopy ears tend to suffer this condition more.

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Those that have hairy canals also tend to be prone to the condition since this tends to affect the temperature and humidity within the ear.

Dogs that love water play tend to have a lot of moisture retained in the ear as well. This increases their chances of suffering the condition.

Wax build up is another cause of canker in dog ears. As such, it is important to have your dog ears carefully cleaned using recommended products so as to prevent it. Below we discuss how you can tell when your dog is suffering ear canker.

West Highland Terriers, German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers are among breeds known to be prone to ear canker in dogs.

Canker Ear Dogs’ Symptoms

With this condition, there are specific signs to watch out for. In most cases, the first sign will be excessive shaking of the head from a dog that may be considered healthy. This should signal you that something is wrong. Other canker ear dogs’ symptoms that develop with time will include:

• Head tilting
• Red, inflamed and painful ears
• Unpleasant odor coming from the ear
• Ear discharge which at times may contain pus
• Dog scratching ears and persistent itch
• Intense pain that may be indicated by crying and whining
• Severe cases may have sores in ears

Where the cause of canker is excess wax, it is likely that there will be a thick black discharge. However, in cases where the cause is an infection, the discharge will have a bad smell.

Ear Canker in Dogs Causes

Ear canker in dogs is an ear problem that can be caused by a wide variety of reasons. These could be related to the diet the dog is taking, improper ear grooming, what activities they love being engaged in as well as their physical conformation. Basically, anything that affects the environment within the ear can cause canker in dogs’ ears. Below are some of these causes in details.

Bacterial Dog Ear Canker

While dogs always have bacteria in their ear canals in moderate quantities, an over growth of the bacteria can cause ear infections. Dog ear canker can develop when there is uncontrolled growth of bacteria in the ears. To treat this, the cause of the overgrowth has to be addressed.

Ear Mites Ear Canker in Dogs

Most dogs suffering from ear cankers are usually diagnosed with ear mites. These are small parasites that are known to feed on the wax found in the ears. So tiny are they that they can only be diagnosed using an otoscope.

These parasites inhabit the host’s ear canal and cause a lot of misery. The resulting scratching and fast reproduction with time cause an ear infection in the canal.

Dog Canker Ear from Tumors

Tumors in the ear need immediate diagnosis to determine if they are benign or malignant. This can only be determined through a biopsy which can be carried out by your veterinarian. Either of them can cause canker in dog ears as they are an obstruction within the canal and are identified as foreign objects by the body. This results in inflammation and infections.

Foreign Bodies Leading to Ear Infection

Most outdoor dogs tend to get foreign objects into their ears. In case these remain intact for a while, there is irritation within the ear. The dog can be seen tilting to the side in which the object is. If the problem is not addressed soon enough, the delicate ear canal gets infected and the dog suffers ear canker.

Allergic Ear Inflammation

Food and environmental allergies tend to cause a lot of itching in dogs. It is also possible for the dog to become inflamed on the skin. A dog can suffer environmental or food allergy that will affect the ear just like any other part of the skin. If the resulting inflammation, itch and scratching are not addressed, the reaction will develop into and infection in the outer ear.

Water Triggered Canker Ear in Dogs

There is a general misconception that dog ear canker is limited to water dogs such as water spaniels. However, this is not true. Any dog that comes into contact with water can have some lodged in their ear canal. This will result in pawing and head shaking. At times, the water does not get cleared as it should. With time, consistent water retention leads to inflammation and infections which with time cause ear canker in your pet.

Infections from Scratches and Tears

Some dog breeds that venture outdoors normally get themselves bruised. Where the bruises occur on the ears and fail to be given any attention, infections will develop with time. Always examine your dog after you come from the woods to ensure that they have no serious scratches.

How to Get Rid of Canker in Dogs Ears

Dog ear canker treatment depends on what the cause of the condition is. Some of them are straight forward. Where the cause is a foreign body, its removal followed by anti-bacterial ointments will do. Other cases though may require specialized treatments and tests to be carried out. With tumor caused infections, the treatment may include surgery. Examinations by the vet will decide best what the appropriate medical procedure is.

Where the condition is only mild though, some home remedies can help. Below are some ear canker in dogs home treatment you can try.

Olive Oil

Where the canker is being caused by hardened wax, a few drops of this oil will help. This ear remedy is mostly recommended because the use of water can cause further damage.

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2. Start off by cleaning the surface of your pet’s ear. Use a cotton ball dipped in olive oil to gently swab around the ear.
3. Once done, straighten out the ear canal and pour a few drops of olive oil.
4. Gently massage the ear and use a cotton ball to clear up any excess oil.
5. Repeat procedure regularly as may be required.

Canker Powder for dogs

Canker powder for dogs is known to contain ingredients that promote drying up and healing of the ear. This will also help in healing sore areas and clearing up any moisture in the ear. There also are some powders meant that are specific for various causes. Some will help to get rid of ear mites and thus eradicate the problem in the long run.

Drying Ear Cream for Dog Canker

There also are some medicinal ear creams that can help facilitate fast healing of dog ear canker. These aid in clearing debris and dirt as well as get rid of any wax build up. Follow the manufacturer instructions given to achieve the best results.

Ear Canker Drops for Dogs

Ear drops such as Troy and Aristopet can be used as ear cleansing agents and are great at fighting ear infections. These drops are dog ear cleansers made with relevant formulations to help inhibit microbial activity. These help to clear up infections and facilitate healing in the ear. They also can help to clear up dog ear mite infestation and relief scratching. Another remedy worth trying would be Bloodworth’s ear canker remedy.

Syringing the Ear to Get Rid of Internal Dog Ear Canker

Apart from the above products, proper ear cleansing is necessary to get rid of any substances that may be causing dog ear canker. You will be required to meticulously clean your canine infection.

Where the infection has developed to internal ear canker, it may be necessary for you to syringe the ear. This can be done once in a day or twice depending on how severe the condition is. Always allow your pooch to shake off any excess fluid and use some clean cloth or cotton wool to dry it up.

CAUTION: Only use any of these products when you are certain the ear drum is still intact. Where you suspect rapture, take your pooch to the vet.

Sources:

Pets4homes.co.uk: Dealing with Canker of the Ear in Dogs

Petloveland.com: Treatment for Ear Canker in Dog

Londondogforum.co.uk: Outer Ear Inflammation in the Dog

Alternativevet.org: Ear Otitis

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