cocker spaniel ear infection symptoms

Cleaning your pet's ears will also help stop a build-up of wax, which could cause compaction if left untreated, making it difficult to get any treatment to work effectively. Primary factors: the presence of ear mites (Otodectes cyanotis), neoplasia, polyps, foreign bodies (eg grass seeds), irritation caused bydrugs or chemicals, allergies and hypersensitivities, primary seborrhoea (see below), excessive skin gland secretions, and hormonal diseases such as hypothyroidism. As a result, wax and scale tends to be trapped in the ear canal, air flow reduced and humidity increased promoting the growth of microorganisms. are prone to many infections, which can be, - https://www.dreamstime.com/stock-images-baby-cocker-spaniel-image12691354. In one study of surgical ear canal removal to treat such cases, 48 out of 80 dogs (60%) were Cocker spaniels (Angus et al 2002). Of 100 dogs presented to Saridomichelakis et al (2007) for treatment of otitis externa, 18% were Cocker spaniels. Treatment of otitis externa is based on the control and elimination of predisposing and primary factors, when possible, and on appropriate medical treatment to tackle perpetuating factors (that lead to narrowing of the ear canal). Methods and prospects for elimination of the problem, http://depositphotos.com/2163597/stock-photo-cocker-spaniel.html, Primary Immune-Mediated Haemolytic Anaemia. In this ceruminous otitis externa, there is a marked expansion of the ceruminous (wax producing) glands. Gram-negative bacterial infections of the ear canal often progress to a rupturing of the eardrum and spread of infection into the middle ear (Saridomichelakis et al 2007). The ear canal is lined with skin and can be affected by diseases similar to those that affect skin elsewhere on the body. before Max was clear. Affected dogs will probably be uncomfortable all the time and discomfort is shown by rubbing and scratching the ears and shaking of the head. However, you would be able to see evidence of their irritation: dark, coffee ground-like bumps. In some situations, when it is predicted that chronic otitis externa is going to be a significant welfare problem for the dog, it has been suggested that it may be better to perform surgery before otitis media and severe disease in the lower ear canal develop. 2) All dogs have hair growing in their ear canals but Cocker spaniels have more than normal because each of their hair follicles produces several hairs (Fraser 1965, Stout-Graham et al 1990). Outline: Otitis externa is inflammation of the ear canal. THE SPANIEL BUZZ!Sign up to our quarterly e-zine for new and exciting articles, top tips, puppy of the month competitions and much more. I now check Max's ears after every walk, and I clean and brush them thoroughly every week, and we've never had any problems since then. Journal of Small Animal Practice 6: 445451, Fraser G, Withers AR and Spreull JSA (1961) Otitis Externa in the Dog. Cocker Spaniel ear infections are relatively common, particularly where the dog's ears aren't checked and cleaned regularly. If your cocker spaniel has ear mites, your vet will prescribe a medication to kill the mites. Saridomichelakis et al (2007) studied dogs presented to a veterinary hospital for otitis externa (both first and second opinion cases). It is likely that multiple genes and environmental influences are involved. If you think your dog has mites, you may be able to confirm this by removing and inspecting the wax from his ears. Journal of Small Animal Practice 44: 253256, Strain GM (1996) Aetiology, prevalence and diagnosis of deafness in dogs and cats. If you notice your cocker spaniel's ears are bothering him, act promptly to get him the treatment he needs to feel better. 8. Veterinary Surgery 17:263268, Milne KL and Hayes HM (1981) Epidemiological features of canine hypothyroidism. Predisposing factors: narrow ear canals, pendulous ears, excessive hair growing in the ear canal, repeated wetting e.g. The Cornell Veterinarian 71: 3-14, Nuttall T, Harvey RG and McKeever PJ (2009) Canine atopic dermatitis. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. The mites leave a dark dried blood residue (which looks like tiny specks of black grit or coffee grains) inside the ear. Veterinary Clinics of North America-Small Animal Practice 18: 73142, Baxter M andLawler DC (1972)The incidence and microbiology of otitis externa of dogs and cats in New Zealand. If the vet confirms a diagnosis, youll be prescribed at least one medication, which youll need to administer at home according to the directions on the packaging. How Do I Get My Cocker Spaniel To Listen? This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. As outlined above a variety of conformational and other factors (pendulous ears, voluminous wax production, compound hair follicles, atopy, idiopathic seborrhoea) may contribute so it is likely that many genes are involved. These factors contribute to causing an abnormally reduced air flow in the ear canal with greater humidity, reduced acidity and increased susceptibility to infections. Not all cocker spaniels develop ear infections. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Youll also need to return to the vets after 5-7 days to make sure the treatment is working. Proceeding of British Small Animal Veterinary Congress 255-6, Harvey RG, Harari J and Delauche AJ (2001) Ear Disease of the Dog and Cat. It is not intended to replace the advice and treatment of your veterinarian. Mosby, St Louis pp 163, Fraser G (1965) Aetiology of otitis externa in the dog. Most affected dogs have life-long welfare problems once otitis externa starts. hypothyroidism) or autoimmune diseases. pp 83, Hayes HM Jr, Pickle LW and Wilson GP (1987) The effects of ear type and weather on the hospital prevalence of canine otitis externa. A disease of multifactorial etiology. Otitis externa (OE) is inflammation of the external ear canal the tube of cartilage and skin that extends from the ear flap (pinna) down to the ear drum. Otitis externa is common in Cocker spaniels and this is thought to be related to several factors (Fraser et al 1961, Fraser 1965, Rycroft and Sabam 1977) as outlined below. Please don't try to tackle the problem yourself. This leads to increased thickness of the ear canal wall and the canals narrowing. That was painful for Max, poor mite, but it was painful for me too - on the pocket! Conventionally, these factors have been categorised into three types: primary factors that cause otitis externa in any individual; predisposing factors that tend to increase susceptibility to otitis externa but which do not, by themselves, cause the disease, and perpetuating factors which only contribute to the disease when it has been triggered by other factors but which themselves also require control in order to treat the condition (August 1988). In the study by Saridomichelakis et al (2007) 44% of the Cocker spaniels treated for otitis externa were found to have atopy. To diagnose the ear infection, your vet will use an otoscope to look in the ears, gently touch and manipulate the ears, and take samples to analyze under the microscope. It took 6 months of bi-weekly visits to the vet and several different treatments, including three lots of ear flushing (for which he had to be anaesthetized each time!) allergic reaction to something that he eats. In some cases, such infection may spread further to involve the inner ear. This continued and often frantic scratching can inflame the skin on the ear's delicate lining, or your pet may accidentally tear his skin with his claws while scratching. Similarly, Cristina and Degi (2007) found that otitis externa was most often seen in dogs between the ages of two and five. Methods and prospects for elimination of the problem. The condition is usually diagnosed by an owner noticing signs of ear irritation (scratching or rubbing the ears), a pain response on touching an infected ear or by noticing a bad smell from the ear. Grass seeds and plant matter can work their way into your dog's ear. Dogs with chronically thickened and narrowed ear canals may require major surgery to control the disease and tackle the chronic pain (Harvey et al 2001). Older Cocker spaniels are also predisposed to hypothyroidism, which is an additional primary factor (Milne and Hayes 1981). This article has been viewed 63,842 times. Vertical wall ablation, in which the external side of the vertical part of the ear canal is removed, opening the side of the ear canal to the air and enabling better access to the deeper part of canal is used to control otitis externa (Harvey 2009). She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. My Dog Doesn't Listen! wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. We use cookies to improve your experience of our site. Cocker Spaniel earsare prone to many infections, which can bereally stubborn to treat. Many flea preventatives are effective at killing mites. Otitis media may be hidden but may lead to repeated bouts of otitis externa. In: Current Veterinary Dermatology: The Science and the Art of Therapy. Other signs seen in some dogs with otitis media are a head tilt, facial spasm or paralysis on one side, decreased tear production and dry eye (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) and other signs of nerve damage (eg Horners syndrome). There are many other causes of Cocker Spaniel ear infections, but most may be avoided simply by ensuring good hygiene, knowing what symptoms to look for and regular checks. 1) The pendulous (droopy) ears characteristic of the breed are a predisposing factor for OE (Baxter and Lawler 1972, Hayes et al 1987). It is generally recognised that dogs of this breed are predisposed to severe otitis externa and otitis media bad enough to require surgical treatment. How do you know if an animal is a carrier or likely to become affected? Manson Publishing Ltd pp 20, Rycroft AK and Saben HS (1977) A clinical study of otitis externa in the dog. Otitis externa causes long-term, frequently recurrent episodes of discomfort and pain (Asher et al 2009). pp 49, Cristina RT and Dgi J (2007) Studies on Otitis Externa in Dogs. Journal of Small Animal Practice 15: 595-607, Fossum TW, Hedlund CS, Hulse DA, Johnson AL, Seim HB III, Willard MD and Carroll GL (1997) Surgery of the ear. For further details about this condition, please click on the following: (these link to items down this page). Infection often spreads into the middle ear causing otitis media which is also often obviously painful (Stern-Bertholtz et al 2003). Treatment depends upon the diagnosis and how soon it's diagnosed. Learn how to spot the tell-tale signs of ear infection in your Cocker Spaniel. Excessive head shaking can create a large blood clot in the ear, called an aural hematoma. Veterinary interventions may help (Nuttall et al 2009) but in Cocker spaniels these often need to be prolonged and repeated. Inflammation of the ear canal causes scarring and, sometimes, calcification and thickening of the outer layer of the skin and growth of the wax-producing glands. Research source About Cocker Spaniels - Celebrating Happy, Healthy, Puppies and Dogs! Otitis externa is a complex condition. Please be assured, I do not sell any personal information - see my privacy policy for further details. Your vet will explain how to give each medication. To treat an ear infection in your cocker spaniel, take your pet to the vets as soon as possible, since an untreated infection can spread quickly. from swimming, or exudates from neoplasms or polyps. Overly frequent ear cleanings can cause ear infections. Infection may spread to the middle ear, which also often results in obvious pain and can cause long lasting damage (Stern-Bertholtz et al 2003). Find all you need to help your dog become the best he can be! Ear infections in cocker spaniels can become chronic and so severe that the entire ear canal needs to be surgically removed. Journal of Veterinary Research 51: 9904. Perpetuating factors: excessive proliferation of bacteria and yeasts normally found on the skin, infections from abnormal bacteria especially Pseudomonas, chronic inflammation, and otitis media. % of people told us that this article helped them. Read on to learn about specific ear problems in dogs: their common causes, symptoms, treatment and how you can help keep your Cocker Spaniel's ears healthy and infection-free. In the plant world, canker is a fungal disease, but it can cause ulcers in dogs. Conventionally these factors have been categorised into three types: primary factors that cause otitis externa in any individual; predisposing factors that tend to increase susceptibility to otitis externa but which do not, by themselves, cause the disease, and perpetuating factors which only contribute to the disease when it has been triggered by other factors but which themselves also require control in order to treat the condition (August 1988). Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 63,842 times. Cocker spaniels are also predisposed to otitis externa due to grass seed foreign bodies becoming lodged in an ear canal (Saridomichelakis et al 2007). As far as we are aware there is no way of predicting which puppies will become severely affected. regularly(no more than once every two months) and examining them as part of his grooming routine will help keep bacteria in check. Cocker spaniels are prone to several skin and health conditions that make ear infections more likely. pp 245, Grono LR and Frost AJ (1969) Otitis externa in the dog: the microbiology of the normal and affected external ear canal. Such foreign bodies cause severe irritation and sometimes painful otitis externa. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Medical resolution can be difficult and severe cases may require major surgery to remove the outer wall of the ear or to remove the ear canal completely. A missed or skipped dose could increase the likelihood of reinfection. Raising a new Cocker Spaniel puppy can be bewildering at times, but don't worry, help is at hand. In: Small Animal Surgery. Secondary infection can occur. The genes involved in the predisposition of Cocker spaniels to otitis externa are unknown. Some of the most common ear infections in Cocker Spaniels are listed below. 17th Congress of the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine-Companion Animals, Evans JM, Lane DR and Hendy PG (1974) The profile of small animal practice. Mosby Year Book, St Louis. Some dogs with otitis externa have a head tilt (Scott et al 1995). An allergy will often manifest itself in your dog's ears, causing him to scratchand scratchand scratch! Why won't my dog listen to a word I say? Cocker Spaniels love to swim; just make sure you dry his ears thoroughly afterwards. Unless this is controlled, it prevents the resolution of otitis externa. ContinueFind out more, An information resource for prospective pet owners. From data on estimates of total dog population in the UK and on the percentage of all micro-chip registered dogs that are Cocker spaniels (Lucy Asher, 2011, personal communication), we estimate that the UK population size of this breed may be around 350,000. Do not forget or skip any treatment doses. In one study 61% of Cocker spaniels with otitis externa were found to have otitis media also. By using our site, you agree to our. Bacteria and yeast thrive in warm, dark, humid places such as the ear canal, and the Cocker Spaniel's long floppy ears provide the exact environment they need to succeed. Check your pet's ears after a romp in the fields and make sure you remove every last seed, bur or blade of grass; otherwise, it may end up burrowed deep inside his ear canal. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 214: 1336-1341, Mason LK, Harvey CE and Orsher RJ (1988) Total Ear Canal Ablation Combined with Lateral Bulla Osteotomy for End-Stage Otitis in Dogs Results in Thirty Dogs. 3) Some individuals may have narrower ear canals, but it is not clear if this is inherited (Stout-Graham et al 1990). As far as we are aware there is no way of predicting which puppies will become severely affected. For more information from our Veterinary co-author, including how to identify an ear infection in your spaniel, scroll down! Antibiotics and antifungals can be given by mouth or as ear drops. Examples of common primary, predisposing and perpetuating factors (Griffin 1993) are listed below. Canadian Veterinary Journal 31: 830-835, Stern-Bertholtz W, Sjstrm I and Wallin Hkanson N (2003) Primary secretory otitis media in the Cavalier King Charles spaniel: a review of 61 cases. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology 1999; 69: 6173, Scott DW, Miller MH and Griffin CE (1995) In: Muller and Kirks Small Animal Dermatology 5th edition WB Saunders, Philadelphia pp 66, Scott DW and Paradis M (1990) A survey of canine and feline skin disorders seen in a university practice: Small Animal Clinic, University of Montreal, Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec (1987-1988). : From data on estimates of total dog population in the UK and on the percentage of all micro-chip registered dogs that are Cocker spaniels (Lucy Asher, 2011, personal communication), we estimate that the UK population size of this breed may be around 350,000. If you notice any signs of Cocker Spaniel ear infections, or you suspect your pet has a problem with his ears, the best thing you can do for him is to take him to see his vet immediately. Other health conditions, such as food allergies, can lead to ear infections by causing excessive ear scratching. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d7\/Treat-Ear-Infections-in-Cocker-Spaniels-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Treat-Ear-Infections-in-Cocker-Spaniels-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d7\/Treat-Ear-Infections-in-Cocker-Spaniels-Step-1.jpg\/aid7629171-v4-728px-Treat-Ear-Infections-in-Cocker-Spaniels-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"