Ear Infections
Ear infections are classified by their location - outer, middle, and inner.
Outer ear infections occur in the external ear canal, that is, beginning at the outside of the head and ending at the eardrum. Signs of an outer ear infection include abnormal odor and/or discharge, scratching at the ear, and tilting of the head to one side. It is best to make a visit with the vet to make sure that the eardrum is still intact because if you try to treat the infection at home when the eardrum has been damaged, you can cause more serious injury. A culture may also be taken to determine the fungi or bacteria that are causing the infection. Most outer ear infections can be treated with medication.
The middle ear cavity is an air-filled space within the bones of the skull, located on the other side of the eardrum from the outer ear canal. The middle ear contains bones that conduct sound and lies extremely close to many blood vessels and nerves, therefore middle ear infections can cause nerve damage that can result in paralysis of facial muscles. With a middle ear infection, the dog will also tilt it's head to favor the painful side and your vet will detect a reddening of the eardrum. These infections should be treated promptly to prevent the infection from spreading to the delicate inner ear.
If an infection does spread from an untreated middle ear infection to the inner ear, there is a good chance the dog will lose it's hearing in the affected side. You will notice a sort of dizziness called vertigo which causes the dog to appear uncoordinated, to fall down often, or to walk in circles since the delicate organs of hearing and equilibrium are found in the inner ear. Vertigo is usually accompanied by spasmodic eye movements called nystagmus. Inner ear infections need to be treated quickly to avoid permanet damage.
Ear mites eat the dead skin cells shed by the skin of the outer ear, causing extreme itching and irritation, and be careful, the irritation could lead to a secondary bacterial infection. Be sure to have your vet check for ear mites if you notice your Bulldog shaking it's head, scratching at his ears, or if you notice a dark, waxy looking discharge.
Outer ear infections occur in the external ear canal, that is, beginning at the outside of the head and ending at the eardrum. Signs of an outer ear infection include abnormal odor and/or discharge, scratching at the ear, and tilting of the head to one side. It is best to make a visit with the vet to make sure that the eardrum is still intact because if you try to treat the infection at home when the eardrum has been damaged, you can cause more serious injury. A culture may also be taken to determine the fungi or bacteria that are causing the infection. Most outer ear infections can be treated with medication.
The middle ear cavity is an air-filled space within the bones of the skull, located on the other side of the eardrum from the outer ear canal. The middle ear contains bones that conduct sound and lies extremely close to many blood vessels and nerves, therefore middle ear infections can cause nerve damage that can result in paralysis of facial muscles. With a middle ear infection, the dog will also tilt it's head to favor the painful side and your vet will detect a reddening of the eardrum. These infections should be treated promptly to prevent the infection from spreading to the delicate inner ear.
If an infection does spread from an untreated middle ear infection to the inner ear, there is a good chance the dog will lose it's hearing in the affected side. You will notice a sort of dizziness called vertigo which causes the dog to appear uncoordinated, to fall down often, or to walk in circles since the delicate organs of hearing and equilibrium are found in the inner ear. Vertigo is usually accompanied by spasmodic eye movements called nystagmus. Inner ear infections need to be treated quickly to avoid permanet damage.
Ear mites eat the dead skin cells shed by the skin of the outer ear, causing extreme itching and irritation, and be careful, the irritation could lead to a secondary bacterial infection. Be sure to have your vet check for ear mites if you notice your Bulldog shaking it's head, scratching at his ears, or if you notice a dark, waxy looking discharge.