my dog wont stop scratching her ears!?

Question

my dog will sit and scratch her ears and then they get real red in side and plus she has a name tag on her collar so when she scratches her ears her collar makes a loud and jingly noise!

Answer 1

She could have excess hair in her ears. This can cause an infection. My vet plucked the hair out of my 4 month old Bichonpoo's ears and the itching stopped. He said the groomer could keep up with it so it doesn't reoccur.

Answer 2

Could be ear mites, infection, fleas, sometimes dogs get fungal infections in the ears too if they have droopy ears. The vet can give you some insight but try to minimize the dog from scratching. Clip the nails, get a collar/cone. The can prevent a secondary infection if the dog scratches its self raw.

Answer 3

I THINK YOUR POOR LITTLE PUPPY MAY HAVE EAR MITES. It's pretty common and is very treatable. There are ear mite solutions sold from pet shops to supermarkets. Frontline is a good product to use. Given the size of the dog, probably just a few drops in each ear. Then gently massage the outside flap over the ear. The next day get a little ball of tissue and swab the inside of your pup's ears. You'll see what resembles pepper on the paper. Those are the dead ear mites. A bottle of solution runs around ten dollars. Good luck and don't forget to add some love squeezes. Grab and lightly pinch his nose and snout with clean hands. It helps to bond you with pup. They are very oral creatures and they will also get more used to your scent as well as your hands being near his face. He will grow to trust your feel.

Answer 4

Knowing where in the ear to stop and let the pros take over calls for a brief review of canine anatomy. First is the external ear, the part that protrudes from the side of the head or flops over, depending on the breed. Also considered part of the external ear is the gnarled, fleshy (and in some breeds hairy) part around the entrance to the ear canal. That's where the cleaning will start.

From the external opening, the L-shaped ear canal descends vertically before taking a 90-degree bend for a horizontal jaunt to the tympanic membrane or ear drum. Inside the eardrum is the middle ear with its three little bones that increase the force of sound vibrations and another, smaller membrane called the oval window, also a sound amplifier that leads to the inner ear.

Humans and dogs have pretty much the same equipment for hearing. Except that our ear canals go straight, more or less, to the eardrums while the dogs' take an L-shaped journey. Because you no more want to puncture your dog's eardrum than your own, restrict your cleaning efforts to the external ear canal -- the vertical part before the 90=degree bend -- and leave the rest to the veterinarian, who has special equipment and advanced training.

"It's okay to go as deep as your finger will let you into the external ear canal -- as far as you can see with a flashlight -- and gently clean with a cotton-tipped swab," Ward advises. Cotton balls or soft, cotton cloths work well around the entrance to the ear canal, and a gentle, veterinary-recommended cleaner helps the process. However, hydrogen peroxide, which is sometimes recommended, should be avoided is excess moisture is a problem. Take note of any materials in and around the ear canal, particularly excess wax. A dark wax may be a sign of ear mites, while a pus-like, foul-smelling discharge may be coming from an infection.

Infections can result from yeast or bacteria that thrive in the canals because of the near-perfect conditions: Moisture, poor air circulation, warmth, and darkness. "The number one contributor to ear problems is basic allergies," Ward observes. "The allergy can be anywhere on the skin but sometimes it is manifested and most noticeable, in the feet and in the ears.

Allergies can tip the balance in favor of bacteria or yeasts, which are already in the ear canals because they were floating around in the air. Excess water in the canals also can make trouble, says Ward. "Your dog's ears are waterproof all the way to the eardrums, just like the rest of his skin, but when a lot of water builds up in the ears, it may promote yeast growth."

Sniff-check for Infection

A dog that scratches at its ears or appears disoriented may be pointing to an advanced ear infection, but you can get an early warning with your nose. Healthy dogs' ears should have a "pleasant" (in a doggy kind of way) smell that reminds some people of beeswax. Infected ears smell waxy, all right, but they're also disgustingly rank. In the meantime, it's a good idea to get a "base line" by sniffing your dog's ears right after the veterinarian gives him a clean bill of health.

Mites in the ears also can prompt the dog to scratch that area or shake his head violently. Not all mites cause the ears to produce excess wax, but dark brown wax could be a sign of the parasites and it only takes three or four per ear to make a mess. Ear mites are also contagious to other pets.

Whatever invades your pooch's ears -- microorganisms that cause infections, mites that are bigger but still hard to see, or plant materials -- removing them is a job for the veterinarian. Don't be surprised if he or she needs to anesthetize your dog to work deep in the ear canals; that's an area dogs are very sensitive about and you wouldn't want anyone -- human or beast -- to get hurt.

So that's it for the exam: A sniff-check and visual examination for early signs of infection, parasites, or foreign bodies; clean no farther than the external ear canal; and try to keep everything on the dry side.

Answer 5

It's probably ear mites. They sell over the counter treatments, but I wouldn't trust them. The Vet should be able to give you a safe ear solution besides a positive diagnosis.

Don't worry, this is very, very common.

Answer 6

Could have an infection in the ear or ear mites. Take her to the vet and have her properly diagnosed and medicated.

Answer 7

She could have ear mites or a bacterial infection. Sounds like it's time to see the vet.

Answer 8

ear mites, fleas or a hot spot are your first problems to address. take him to a vet who will check him out & give you some medicines. it shouldn't cost more than $50 with the visit & meds.

Answer 9

She may have an ear infection or fleas. Take her to the vet asap!

Answer 10

allergirs, ear mites, ear infection. have your vet check it out! they would know more than us here unless you have a vet answer it for you but it would be hard unless they were to look at your dogs ears themselves.