If a pet scratches its ears frequently and for long periods of time, it can no longer be considered harmless. Ear itching, often accompanied by pain, can occur in dogs for various reasons and is sometimes a symptom of serious illnesses. In such cases, the owner should help their pet cope with this unpleasant behavior.
The dog has parasites in its ears
Itchy ears can be caused by scabies mites. These tiny parasites can cause a lot of trouble for your pet. In addition to the itching and pain from the mite bites, the inflammatory process caused by the scratching can also occur.
Otodectosis, or ear mites, is a common disease of domestic animals that is transmitted to healthy dogs and cats from those with the disease.
A sick animal behaves restlessly, shakes its head and constantly scratches its ears.
The scratches often become inflamed, which can lead to severe suppuration. The disease itself can be complicated by inflammation of the middle or inner ear, perforation of the eardrum, and even meningitis.
It is important to remember that if the above symptoms appear, the dog must be taken to a clinic for testing, as it is impossible to detect scabies mites with the naked eye, and without this, it is impossible to make a correct diagnosis and prescribe the necessary treatment.
Besides scabies mites, other parasites, such as fleas or ticks, can also cause itchy ears in dogs. These can be easily detected without any testing, and if external parasites are detected, they should be removed if possible and the animal treated with specialized flea and tick treatments. Repeat the treatment after a while to kill not only the adult insects but also their larvae.
The pet has an infection
Ear inflammation accompanied by severe itching can be caused by an infection in the ear canal and can also be a symptom of serious infectious diseases. It is often caused by water getting into the ear canal, which creates a warm and moist environment suitable for the development of pathogenic microorganisms and fungi that cause ear infections in dogs.
Treating infectious ear diseases in pets with folk remedies is not recommended: it is essential to consult a veterinarian for a correct diagnosis and treatment.
Self-medication is especially dangerous if your dog's ears begin to discharge pus or emit a foul odor. This indicates that the infection has already developed and cannot be treated on its own.
The dog is allergic to something.
Itching in the ears and constant scratching can also be one of the signs of an allergy, which can be either food or non-food.
In the first case, the allergy is caused by the foods the dog eats or by ingredients in commercial food. In the second case, the allergic reaction can occur to household chemicals, detergents, pollen, varnishes, paints, and other allergens.
With allergies, itchy ears and constant scratching are often accompanied by other symptoms such as hair loss, reddened skin, rash, dermatitis, watery eyes, or sneezing.
How can I help my pet? If I know for sure that the itching is caused by an allergy, I first need to determine what is causing it and try to protect my pet from exposure to the allergen. It's also a good idea to consult a veterinarian about prescribing antihistamines and anti-inflammatory medications.
The dog was injured
Ear injuries can also be the reason why an animal constantly scratches them.
Blows, bites from other animals, or injuries to the ears from various foreign objects can cause a hematoma—a collection of blood that forms between the ear cartilage and the skin. This causes the ear to appear swollen and drooping.
The dog experiences severe discomfort, causing it to shake its head violently and scratch its ear. This leads to further mechanical damage and often leads to the development of serious inflammation.
If a hematoma forms in the ear, self-treatment is completely unacceptable, since it can result in deformation of the ear cartilage.
To prevent this from happening, it will be necessary to remove the blood from the area where it has accumulated, but this procedure should only be performed by a veterinarian.
A dog may scratch its ears for a variety of reasons, the most common of which are inflammatory or infectious conditions caused by small subcutaneous parasites or pathogenic microorganisms. Allergies and ear injuries are also common causes of ear itching and scratching. In all these cases, it is recommended to take your pet to the vet as soon as possible, as only a veterinarian can accurately determine the cause of your pet's frequent ear scratching and prescribe the appropriate treatment.
