Welcome to Your Healthy-Pet, Free Pet Advice

Dog Ear Disorders

Ear complaints are a regular reason for a visit to a vet. Head shaking, ear scratching, and pungent discharges are the most common conditions, and when these occur, ear mites should be considered as a cause. Dogs with pendulous, well-furred ear flaps, such as spaniels, are more likely to suffer from dog ear disorders than breeds with erect ears such as the German Shepherd Dog.

Deafness can be hereditary in some breeds and is often associated with a white coat. Impaired hearing and eventual deafness is often associated with elderly dogs, especially retrievers. Loss of balance relating to hearing disorders can occur at any age and is usually caused by an infection spreading to the inner ear from the ear canal or the throat.

Examining the ears: A magnifying otoscope permits a vet to gently examine the ear canal for parasites and debris.