Otitis Externa is defined as inflammation of the ear canal. It is an extremely common, aggravating, and sometimes costly problem for dogs and owners alike. VPI, a leading provider of pet health insurance, listed the Top 10 Dog and Cat Medical Conditions of 2009. For dogs, ear infection was number one.

This is in part due to anatomy (see below). Dogs have very long, narrow ear canals—upwards of inches long in some breeds. Halfway down is a right-angle bend that is a perfect place for debris and liquid to get stuck. Add to this the pendulous ear flaps that some breeds have (Spaniels, Beagles, Retrievers). This has the effect of sealing in warmth and moisture, giving germs a field day.

Symptoms

If your dog has ever had an ear infection, you know the symptoms. Head shaking, scratching, redness, brown discharge, and a sickly sweet smell are the hallmarks. Some dogs

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Causes

Ear infections usually arise from a perfect storm of factors. Primary factors are those which touch off the inflammatory process. They create moisture, heat, and stagnant air flow. They promote the perfect environment for secondary factors—yeast, bacteria, swelling and debris—to take hold. These secondary factors cause still more moisture, heat, and stagnant air to build up causing a vicious cycle of misery for your dog.

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