Here’s What To Do If Your Dog Has A Yeast Infection In His Ear
A dog ear yeast infection is exactly what it sounds like an ear infection thats caused by an overgrowth of yeast .
It certainly sounds pretty uncomfortable, so youre going to want to help your pup out if hes dealing with one.
We spoke with Dr. Chylre Bonk, a veterinarian working with Hepper, to find out everything you need to know about dog ear yeast infections, like causes, symptoms, treatment and more.
What Is Ear Yeast
This type of yeast infection affects the visible part of your dogs ear. Inflammation in the outer flap of your dogs ear is called otitis externa.
A dog ear yeast infection may be mistaken for allergies. But its often caused by yeast. It could be candida, the most common type of yeast but it might also be malassezia, a different type of yeast. Yeast can smell musty a bit like an old shoe. Your dogs itching will be intense, and there may be a brown or black discharge.
Is There A Cure For Yeast Infection In Dogs
While yeast infections can be cured, some dogs are prone to recurrent infections. The best way to prevent a possible occurrence is to take care of your dogs immune system properly. When you treat the root of the problem, you are not only taking care of the possible yeast infection but other potential skin issues that are a result of problems that originate in the digestive tract.
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Are Dog Ears Hard To Clean
Many dog owners have the perception that cleaning their dogs ears is a difficult and challenging task. The main reason is the dogs are unaccustomed to having their ears handled. It can terrify the poor dogs when you pour something into their ear canal, causing panic and defensive aggression.
Thats why its best to start an ear cleaning routine as early as possible with your puppy. They will learn that there is nothing to worry about, and the entire process can conclude in a couple of minutes.
If youve adopted an older dog or were lax with your puppy, you can use several training techniques to get your dog comfortable with having their ears handled, and eventually cleaned. This patient approach will help both you and your dog relax, making the process much easier for everybody involved.
Another reason why a dogs ears are so hard to clean is due to their physiology. Dogs have an L-shaped ear canal that is much more difficult to clean than our straight one. You cant simply insert an earbud and expect to clean the dogs whole ear.
But, there are so many ear cleaners available that can help you properly clean out the wax and debris from the dog ear canal and prevent infections. The ear cleaners are easy to use and come in the shape of liquid droppers or wipes. If you want to get into the routine of cleaning your dogs ear regularly then the liquid cleanser is the best option for you.
How Serious Is A Yeast Infection In A Dogs Ears
For the most part, dog ear yeast infections arent super serious.
Most yeast ear infections affect just the outer ear and, with proper treatment, clear up quickly and easily, Dr. Bonk told The Dodo.
Your dogs infection can be a bit more of an issue if it goes untreated, or if its the result of a serious underlying condition.
Sometimes a yeast ear infection can be tied to something more serious, such as a foreign object or tumor in the ear, allergies, or a bacterial infection, Dr. Bonk said. If left untreated, they can cause quite a bit of pain and discomfort, lead to a ruptured eardrum, inner or middle ear infection, or even deafness.
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What Food Causes Yeast Infection In Dogs
There is no specific food type that will definitely cause yeast infections in dogs. Some animals have underlying allergies to certain ingredients found in dog food though, leaving them more prone to a secondary skin infection.
Everyday ingredients like chicken or beef could cause flare ups in some dogs, so a dietary trial may need to be performed to work out what your pets individual triggers are. Unless your dog has a proven allergy, his diet will not be causing his yeast infection.
Signs And Symptoms Of Yeast Infections In Dogs
You can usually tell if your dog has a yeast infection by watching for these signs and symptoms.
First, the paws. Dogs sweat from their paws, so it’s the paws that contain a moist wet environment that yeast loves. You can usually tell if a dog has yeast on their paws by the pungent smell…it’s a bit like Fritos.
They’ll also be licking and chewing at their paws a lot. Their saliva discolors the fur making it a rust color. You’ll notice this on any areas that they lick, including the hair between their toes.
The ears will also be an area that you can easily detect yeast.
Dogs with yeast in their ears will be itching and scratching at their ears.
They’ll also be shaking their heads a lot. But the biggest clue is you should be able to see yeast in the ears.
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Are Yeast Ear Infections More Common In Certain Breeds
Infections are more likely in areas where moisture can be trapped. Knowing this, it likely wont surprise to find out pups with floppy ears are more prone to develop ear infections. Some breeds include:
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Golden retrievers
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Cocker spaniels
Other breeds with hair in their ear canal, like Schnauzers, are also susceptible to ear yeast infections. Outside of specific breeds, a yeast infection may be more likely if your dog suffers from general allergies.
How Do You Treat A Yeast Infection In A Dogs Ear
The most common dog ear yeast infection treatment is a veterinary prescribed ear ointment. These dog-specific ear ointments are safe for dogs and usually contain an antifungal medicine to treat the infection and a steroid to reduce the itching and inflammation in the ear. In addition to dog ear infection medications like ear ointments, your veterinarian may wish for you to clean out your dogs ear. is one of my favorite ear cleaners for dog ear yeast infections. If you have never cleaned out a dogs ear before, check out this article on how to clean a dogs ears. After ear cleaning or administering ear medication, dont forget to give your pup a tasty treat!
If the yeast infections are recurring, your veterinarian will likely wish to determine the underlying cause of the ear infections. Because many yeast infections in dogs are caused by allergies, your vet may want to try a special allergy diet that is made for dogs with food allergies. Your vet may wish to prescribe allergy medications including Apoquel, Cytopoint, steroids, or antihistamines. Another option that may improve itching associated with allergies is to try a fatty acid supplement. While these medications wont cure ear yeast infections, they may help to reduce some of the symptoms associated with allergies. To learn more about allergy medication use in dogs, check out this complete guide to dog allergy medication.
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How To Prevent Yeast Infections In Dogs Ears
The best way to prevent yeast infections in dogs ear is to keep good ear hygiene:
- Keep the ear canal dry and clean.
- Ongoing check for discharge, accumulated debris and wax buildup in the ear.
- Maintain good diet low in sugars, carbs, starches and processed foods. Dogs are carnivores, their bodies are not well designed to handle sugars or processed unhealthy treats!
Symptoms Of Yeast Infections In Dogs
Yeast infections commonly occur in the ear canals of dogs, contributing to ear infections. Yeast problems can also be seen anywhere on the skin, but most commonly in warm moist skin folds, in-between toes, and around the nail beds.
If you are wondering how to identify a yeast infection in dogs, there are some characteristic symptoms to look out for. These include:
- Increased itchiness
- Inflamed, red or pink skin
- An increased odor to the skin or ear canals
- Discoloration of the nail beds or paws
- Greasy, scaly skin
- Increased discharge and wax in the ears
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Best For Itching: Sentry Hc Earmite Free Ear Miticide For Cats
Ear mite infections can be itchy and irritating for cats which is why this treatment from Sentry is such a great option. In addition to killing ear mites, it also soothes itching.
Pyrethrins and piperonyl butoxide are the active ingredients in this formula which kill ear mites quickly and effectively. This recipe also contains aloe which provides quick relief for itching and, because it is a water-based formula, it wont leave your cats ears greasy.
To use this product, simply apply 5 drops in each ear twice daily and massage it in. Sentry recommends daily application for as long as necessary to eliminate mites.
Best Prescription: Revolution Topical Solution For Cats
If over-the-counter ear mite medication isnt doing the trick, you might consider a prescription-strength formula. This Revolution Topical Solution is made with 45mg of selamectin per dose.
Selamectin is an avermectin antiparasitic similar to ivermectin. It can be used to treat ear mite infestations but it also effective against fleas, heartworms, hookworms, and roundworms. This treatment comes with 3, 6, or 12 doses formulated for cats 5 to 15 pounds.
Unlike many of the other treatments on this list, this prescription ear mite remedy doesnt go in your cats ear it is applied directly to the skin. This product provides a full 30 days of protection and is safe for cats and kittens over 8 weeks of age.
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How To Prevent Yeast Infections In Dogs
Prevention of yeast infections in dogs must include addressing the underlying cause to reduce the likelihood that the infection will reoccur.
Routine bathing with an antifungal shampoo may be beneficial. However, for shampoo treatment to be effective, the lather must sit on a dogs skin for a minimum of 10 minutes before rinsing.
Dogs with skin folds may need to have maintenance treatment to keep these areas from becoming too moist, as yeast thrive in moist, dark places such as skin folds and ears.
Dogs that have had allergy testing and are determined to be allergic to yeast can be desensitized by including yeast as an ingredient in immunotherapy .
If you suspect that your dog has a yeast infection, consult your regular veterinarian for a diagnosis and treatment plan that is appropriate for your pet.
Yeast Infection In Dogs Ears: Causes Symptoms Treatment
Most people are not familiar with the term yeast infection in dogs ears, but it is a common ailment that can cause great discomfort for our furry dogs. Yeast infections of the ear are a common condition in dogs. The medical term for a yeast infection of the ear is otitis externa, which simply means inflammation of the outer ear. This can happen for a number of reasons, such as allergies, underlying health problems, or even changes in the weather. In this article, we will discuss yeast infection in a dogs ears, the causes, symptoms, and available treatment options.
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How Often Should I Use Dog Ear Cleaners
To keep your dogs ears free of infection, the experts recommend you clean their ears using a maintenance solution around once a week. If you have a dog that has clean ears that dont get dirty, you can extend this to twice a month instead. Alternatively, if your dog is prone to ear infections, you can clean their ears on up to a daily basis.
If you notice early signs of an ear infection, its a good idea to use an ear cleaning solution on a daily basis for a couple of days to see if it clears up. If it doesnt, consult with a vet before the problem gets even worse and get medical insurance for your dog to cover vet bills.
Some signs that you should watch out for is your dog shaking its head, scratching one or both ears incessantly and having a red and painful-looking inner ear. You may also notice a bad smell coming from their ears as well as an unpleasant discharge.
How To Use Dog Ear Cleaners
Dogs ear is incredibly sensitive to infections as their ear canal is moist and warm, a perfect place for fungi and bacteria to grow. Ear cleaning solutions can prevent infections from starting by keeping the environment in the ear dry. It also helps to regularly remove debris, grit, and grime that could lead to infections in the long run.
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What Causes Ear Infections In Dogs
The canine ear canal is more vertical than that of a human, forming an L-shape that tends to hold in fluid. This makes dogs more prone to ear infections. Ear infections are typically caused by bacteria, yeast, or a combination of both. In puppies, ear mites can also be a source of infection.
Factors that may predispose your dog to ear infections include:
- Moisture, which can create a prime growing environment for bacteria and yeast
- Allergies, which lead to ear disease in about 50 percent of dogs with allergic skin disease and 80 percent of dogs with food sensitivities
- Endocrine disorders, such as thyroid disease
- Autoimmune disorders
- Injury to the ear canal
- Excessive cleaning
What Are The Symptoms Of A Yeast Infections In Dogs Ears
Symptoms of a yeast infection in dogs ears include:
- Ear Odor: Yeasts produce an unusual smell which gives the dogs ears a bad and musty odor. In severe cases, the entire dog may smell musty.
- Ear Discharge: The buildup of yellow, brown, or black waxy discharge is likely in dogs with yeast infections.
- Ear Scratching: Yeast infections cause itchy ears and make the dog scratch them or at least paw at the ears.
- Painful Ears: A dog with a yeast infection can develop painful ears. Touching the ears may make the dog irritated or even aggressive.
- Head-Shaking: Excessive head-shaking due to discomfort can be a sign of yeast infection in the ears.
- Hair Loss: Due to excessive scratching and self-trauma, the hair around the base of the ears can fall out, and the skin can be flaky, crusty, or simply irritated.
- Loss of Balance: If the ear infection spreads and affects the inner ear, the dog may show loss of balance and disorientation.
- Hearing Loss: In rare and very severe cases, an untreated yeast infection in dogs ears may result in partial or completehearing loss.
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Best Probiotic With Fiber Supplement For Dogs
Yeast can live and grow in any number of places on and in your dogs body. When yeast gets out of control, inflammatory skin conditions can develop in a number of places including folds of skin, the genital region, ears, and paw pads. Pawing, scratching, or biting any of these areas can be one of the first signs of a yeast infection. Once your dogs vet examines her and recommends a course of action, a multipurpose probiotic is a great way to prevent yeast infections from recurring.
Highlights
- Complete all-in-one formula to form a high fiber solution for gut and immune health
- Firmer, well-formed poops mean less straining and discomfort to defecate
- Contains beneficial bacteria in a handy chewable form
- Two billion powerful CFUs for proper gut balance
- American-made without corn, soy, artificial preservatives, or flavoring
- 120 chicken-flavored chews per container which can last months
Things to Consider
- May take a few days to see desired results
- Only available in a chewable version
Add Foods And Supplements That Fight Yeast
Include these foods and herbs in your dogs diet to fight yeast:
- Garlic: research shows it can break down yeast colonies.
- MCT oil: it contains caprylic acid that kills yeast.
- Pau darco: contains lapachol, which can destroy yeast.
- Probiotics: rebuild the healthy bacteria in your dogs gut.
- Saccharomyces boulardii: a type of yeast that helps stop other yeasts from spreading in your dog.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: to lower overall inflammation.
- Digestive enzymes: break down biofilms and fiber that form a protective shell around the yeast.
- Olive leaf: an antifungal herb that kills yeast.
DNM RECOMMENDS: Four Leaf Rover offers Yeast Guard, a veterinary-formulated blend of herbs that support a healthy microbiome and break down the biofilm that protects harmful yeast. Buy Yeast Guard now > >
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Diy Ear Cleaning Vs Going To The Vet
Nothing is stopping you from letting your vet handle your dogs ear hygiene, but you may find that your bills will rack up quite quickly. If your dog is healthy and doesnt get ear infections, then it may be worthwhile to have the vet check their ears on a monthly basis.
If youve got a dog that gets frequent ear infections, youll quickly reach the point where its easier just to do it yourself using one of the budget-friendly dog ear cleaners. By doing it yourself, youll find that your dog is less stressed, which will also allow them to bounce back quicker. Youll quickly get into the habit of regular ear cleaning maintenance, and soon it will just become a normal part of the weekly routine for both of you.