To clean the ears, tilt your dog's head downward with one hand and squirt a gentle cleanser recommended by your veterinarian into the ear, filling the canal. Holding the ear closed, give it a nice massage, really squishing the cleanser around in there. That softens any gunk inside.
This yeast thrives in moist environments, so these infections are most common after your dog has gone swimming. Fungal ear infections can produce very dark brown or almost black discharge that smells pungent. Fungal or yeast infections will require antifungal ear drops to clear up.
Outer ear infection (otitis externa).
A waxy, yellow, or reddish-brown ear discharge can also be a sign your dog has an ear infection, which can be a result of allergies, mites, polyps, overproduction of ear wax, excessive bathing or swimming (which can leave too much moisture in the ears), or other problems.
In the meantime, there are some home remedies you can try to ease your pet's discomfort, such as a warm compress, vinegar or hydrogen peroxide ear flush, and the use of natural anti-inflammatory agents like coconut oil or aloe vera gel.
Ear mites are tiny mites, barely visible to the human eye, that live on the surface of ear canal skin in dogs and cats. An infestation produces tiny black specks, similar to coffee grounds. How will ear mites affect my dog? Ear mite infestation is usually detected by the dog scratching at an irritation in the ear.
Signs and symptoms of ear mites in dogs
Signs of ear mites in dogs include scratching around the ears, head and neck, skin irritation, head shaking, the presence of an ear discharge that is dark and waxy (resembling coffee grounds) and an unpleasant odour from the ears.
Conditions that can predispose dogs to yeast overgrowth include inhalant allergies; food allergies; hormonal conditions such as thyroid disease, diabetes and hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing Disease in dogs); and anything that negatively impacts the immune system. In addition, dogs can develop a version of swimmer's ear.
Never put anything in your dog's ear without veterinary instruction. Your veterinary team can help you find the ideal treatment to treat the infection and give your dog much-needed relief. Itchy, uncomfortable ears can be caused by everything from ear infections to allergies and ear mites.
Mix 1 part vinegar and 1 part filtered or spring water. Clean the visible parts of the ear with a cotton ball soaked in the mixture. Make sure you get the liquid into the ear canal by holding your dog's ear still. You can pour or squirt the liquid (at least one dropper full each time) into the ear canal.
Healthy earwax should be a pale, yellowish color. If your dog appears to have dark brown or black earwax or if the earwax looks dirty gray instead of golden, this isn't normal. A noticeable increase in wax build-up can be a sign of a problem as well. A healthy dog's ears should have no smell.
Ear mites cause intense scratching. If you look in your dog's ears and see dark brown debris that resembles coffee grounds, then your dog most likely has ear mites. This parasite can be shared with cats, dogs and other animals (like the family ferret).
Dark brown or black colored earwax is typically older, so its color comes from the dirt and bacteria it has trapped. Adults tend to have darker, harder earwax. Dark brown earwax that is tinged with red may signal a bleeding injury. Light brown, orange or yellow earwax is healthy and normal.
Be sure to clean your dog's ears on a regular basis during the infection as well as once his ears are nice and healthy again. Regular cleaning will help keep your infections at bay.
Dirty dog ears can be caused by excessive ear wax, infections, allergies, and mites. Regular ear cleanings and checkups are essential to keeping your dog's ears healthy.
There are a number of causes of ear wax accumulation in dogs, but by far the most common cause is allergies. Ear mites and ear infections can lead to wax buildup as well.
Never put olive oil, vinegar, shampoo, or any other substance in a dog's ear. Also, avoid poking around with cotton buds in the ear, you will only work any wax and debris further in and potentially damage the eardrum.
Signs That Your Dog May Have A Yeast Ear Infection
If your dog has a yeast ear infection you may notice one or more of the following symptoms: Red or brown waxy discharge in the ear. Itching, scratching & pawing at the ear. A cheesy or musty smell coming from the ear.
However, some home remedies such as cleaning the ears with a gentle, vet-approved solution, and using natural remedies like tea tree oil can provide relief for milder infections.
Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleanser for Dogs & Cats
It is frequently recommended by veterinarians and works with most breeds of pups. Designed with a keratolytic formula, the liquid solution works wonders to remove proprietary wax and debris, preventing buildup that can lead to discomfort or infection.
Ears. Dog ear yeast infections are quite common, and the ears often smell sweet or musty. Usually, you will see redness, which may extend onto the flap of the ear, and the discharge is generally brown. The ear may appear to be greasy, and the hair may be matted.
If your dog has a yeast infection of the outer ear canal, the vet might prescribe a topical antifungal ointment or cream. Miconazole and ketoconazole are two antifungal medicines that are often effective.
Sugar feeds the yeast that is naturally present in the dog's body, so when a dog consumes too much sugar, yeast overgrowth occurs in the body and around the ear folds or in the canal, causing infection.