If you have been snuggling with your pup lately, you may have noticed an odd smell coming from their ears. Although a dog’s ears don’t normally smell like flowers, they should also not be obnoxiously aromatic either. An unpleasant odor could be an indicator of something serious requiring medical attention.
Dogs’ ears should generally have a mild, not offensive, smell. There may be a slight wax or oil aroma, which is normal if your furry friend has super stinky ears. Read on to find out why and what you can do about it.
Ear Mites
Has your dog been socializing with other dogs or cats? If so, they may have contracted ear mites, which may be the stinky ear culprit. Older dogs and puppies are more prone to ear mite infestations. Mites will hop from one animal to another during close contact and can also take up residence in bedding or furniture.
Ear mites are tiny parasites that thrive in warm, dark environments – making your dog’s ears the perfect destination. Mites can cause an infection or inflammation, leading to redness, itchiness, and discomfort. The irritation from these mites can also cause the ear flaps to sink, affecting the shape of the ear.
Symptoms
In addition to odor in the ear canal, you may also notice these symptoms if your pooch has mites.
- Itching and discomfort in the ears
- Sensitivity to sound
- Head shaking or scratching at the ears
- Crusty exudate (ear wax) that is dark brown or black
- Redness, scaling, and irritation of the ear canal
What to do
To help relieve these symptoms and prevent further ear damage, visit your veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment, which may include topical or oral medications. Additionally, regular cleaning of a dog’s ears is recommended ( see below) to help eliminate any build-up of wax or dirt that could attract ear mites or other parasites. Additionally, be sure your pup’s friends are free before accepting a play date!
Bacterial ear infection
Like humans, dogs have healthy bacteria living on their skin, hair, and in their ears. But, sometimes, when the balance is upset, harmful bacteria make their way into the ears and wreak havoc.
Bacteria love the warm, dark, and moist environment inside the ear. Because there is limited air circulation, they multiply quickly. Types of bacteria commonly found in dog’s ears include cocci (most commonly Staphylococcus intermedius and beta-hemolytic streptococci) and E. coli, Pseudomonas spp; Proteus spp, Klebsiella spp, and Corynebacterium spp.
The danger of an ear loaded with harmful bacteria is that your pup will develop a bacterial ear infection. This is especially common among dogs with long, floppy ears.
Infections can be otitis interna – inner ear infections- or otitis media – middle ear infections. When an outer ear infection is not caught and treated, it may advance to an inner ear infection which can lead to hearing loss and even eardrum rupture.
The most common type of infection happens in the outer ear and can come on quite suddenly.
Symptoms
In addition to a foul odor, here are some additional symptoms of a bacterial ear infection.
- Shaking the head
- Scratching ears
- Redness and swelling of the ear flap or inner ear
- Discharge from the ear which may be black or yellowish-green, or bloody
- Hearing loss
- Fever
- Lethargy
- Loss of appetite
What to do
If you suspect your dog has a bacterial ear infection, the best thing to do is take them to the vet as soon as possible. The vet will be able to diagnose the problem and provide treatment options. Depending on the type of infection, they may prescribe an antibiotic or recommend an over-the-counter cream or ointment. Your vet may also clean your dog’s ears with a special solution or gently flush out any debris with warm water.
Keeping your dog’s ears dry while healing from the infection is essential. To prevent future infections, keep your dog’s ears dry and clean – especially if they are prone to infection.
Yeast ear infection
Malassezia, a type of yeast, commonly causes yeast infections in dogs.
This yeast is naturally found on the skin of all healthy dogs but can overgrow and cause infection when the skin’s natural balance is disrupted. Factors that can disturb the skin’s balance and lead to a yeast infection include allergies, hormonal imbalances, excessive moistness in the ears, underlying diseases or illnesses, and certain medications.
Symptoms of a yeast ear infection
Yeast infections cause an odor that can’t be ignored! Here are some symptoms to watch for.
- Itching
- Redness
- Smelly discharge from the ear
- Pain, discomfort
- Redness
- Itching ears or head
What to do
Treatment for a yeast ear infection typically involves using antifungal medicines to kill the fungus and reduce inflammation. Home remedies such as placing warm compresses on the affected area can also help to relieve symptoms.
Foreign object lodged in the ear
Possible foreign objects that might get in a dog’s ear include grass seeds, dirt, insects, small stones or pebbles, bits of wood or twigs, pieces of plant material, and other debris. While not all debris will cause a problem, some may become lodged within the ear canal, causing irritation and infection and resulting in a noticeable odor.
Symptoms
Look for these symptoms if your dog has something stuck in its ear.
- Tilting head to one side
- Shaking head
- Scratching ear area
- Whining or whimpering
What to do
If you suspect that your dog has a foreign object causing an ear odor in the ear, it is essential to take your dog to the veterinarian for examination and treatment immediately. Your vet may need to use an otoscope or other tools to inspect the inside of the ear canal to determine if a foreign object is present. Removal may require sedation and anesthesia depending on the type of material lodged in the ear. If there are any signs of infection present, antibiotics or other medications may be prescribed for treatment.
Keep your pup’s ears clean and healthy
An “ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” applies when it comes to the health of your dog’s ears. Adopting a regular cleaning schedule will prevent bacteria and dirt from building up and leading to painful infections. Check your dog’s ears – if they are light pink and smell fine with no discharge – it is not necessary to clean them.
Here is how to keep your pup’s ears clean. Keep in mind that if this is a new routine for your dog, go slowly and expect some resistance at first.
Supplies needed
- Veterinarian-approved cleaning solution
- Clean cotton pad
- Towel
- Treats
How to do it
- Squeeze a little ear-cleaning solution into your pup’s ear canal, and use your hand to massage the base of the ear. You should hear the solution moving around – it is working to dislodge debris and earwax. Caution: Never put a cotton swab or a cotton ball into your dog’s ear canal.
- When you finish with one ear, give your furry friend and let them shake their head. Hold up a towel to protect walls, furniture, and yourself from flying debris and solution.
- Gently wipe the outdoor ear with a clean cotton ball to remove any residual debris. Repeat on the other side.
- For debris and dirt deep inside the ear canal, fill a clean bulb syringe with ear cleaner and skirt a bit down inside the ear – use caution; if your pup is squirmy, you may want to have the vet do this. Once the solution is in the ear canal, let it sit for a few minutes before massaging the base of the ear.
- Tilt your dog’s ear so that the solution drains out. Repeat with the other ear.
- Use a clean cotton pad to remove any remaining solution around the outer ear.
- Dry ears thoroughly using a clean and soft towel. Do not push the towel deep inside your dog’s ears, which may cause damage.
