All dogs like to scratch their ears to some extent, but if your dog's ears are scratched or irritated all the time, it's important to know the cause. Once you know what's bothering your dog, you can treat the cause. Most itching is caused by a parasitic infection, ear infection (bacterial or fungal), allergies, or a foreign object in the ear (such as grass clippings).
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Method 1 of 4: Quickly Relieve Itching
Step 1. Know when you need to take your dog to the vet
If you notice your dog is constantly scratching his ears, get him checked out by a doctor. The vet will use an instrument (otoscope) to examine inside the dog's ear canal and check if the eardrum (drum membrane) is intact. The doctor will also check for other causes of itchy ears. For example, the doctor may take a sample from inside the dog's ear to diagnose if there is an infection.
- If your dog is in so much pain that it is difficult to do an examination, your veterinarian may anesthetize the dog so that the ears can be cleaned easily. This way, the doctor can see the dog's eardrum and the external medicine is also more easily absorbed into the skin without interference.
- Don't try to give your dog's ears external treatment without first checking with your vet. If the eardrum is damaged, the medication can enter the middle and inner ear, causing permanent balance and hearing problems (possibly even deafness).
Step 2. Be careful if you use tea tree oil
While some people recommend using these kinds of essential oils to relieve inflammation and infected skin, be aware that tea tree oil contains substances called terpenes, which are toxic to dogs. Animals can only tolerate tea tree oil that has been diluted to 0.1-1%, but most shampoos, disinfectants, and skin care products sold by pet stores contain tea tree oil which is stronger and can harm dogs. If you are using a product that contains tea tree oil, be sure to dilute it first.
Watch for signs of terpene poisoning if you decide to use tea tree oil. These signs include nausea, vomiting, and paralysis, which are common in dogs and cats. Serious cases such as paralysis, convulsions, and even death are also often associated with the use of tea tree oil
Step 3. Try giving your dog an antihistamine
If you're not sure what's causing itchy ears in your dog, you can try to relieve itchy ears until you figure out the problem. Consult with your veterinarian first to make sure your dog can be given antihistamines, especially if they are on other medications. Then, you can give your dog 2 mg of a regular antihistamine, such as diphenhydramine, for every kilogram of body weight. Usually antihistamine drugs are available in tablet form and are taken directly three times a day. Antihistamines work by releasing histamine to prevent inflammation.
You should know that even after starting this treatment, your dog will still scratch his ears. In addition, antihistamine drugs are also not very effective in relieving itching in dogs. You can try to see if this treatment can relieve itching in dogs, but be aware that only 10-15% of dogs will experience its effects
Step 4. Temporarily relieve dog itching
Your vet may prescribe corticosteroid medications to temporarily relieve itching until the actual treatment takes effect. Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory drugs and are great for relieving itching. Alternatively, you can ask your doctor about using creams with the active ingredient hydrocortisone 0.5-1% which can be purchased at regular pharmacies. Using this cream on the skin from the dog's earlobe and around the underside can relieve inflammation.
Be careful, steroids like the above drugs are not can used in conjunction with certain drugs, such as NSAIDs (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) which are especially given to dogs suffering from arthritis. Taking these two types of drugs at the same time can cause dangerous ulcers in the stomach, which can lead to bleeding and death.
Method 2 of 4: Recognizing and Treating Ear Infections
Step 1. Look for the symptoms
Ear infections are so painful and so irritating that your dog will often be seen rubbing and scratching their ears. You may also notice the ear is red, swollen, hot to the touch, smells, or discharges something (such as thick wax or pus). Ear infections can be caused by a variety of things (ear mites, bacteria, or fungi), so it's important to take your dog to the vet so the doctor can give a proper diagnosis.
If you're not sure your dog has an ear infection, compare one ear to the other. They should both look the same; but if one ear looks different or is irritated, it's most likely an ear infection
Step 2. Get your dog checked by the vet
Since ear infections can be caused by many things, dogs should be diagnosed by a veterinarian who can prescribe ear drops that contain antibiotics. If your dog has had an ear infection before, the doctor will take a sample of pus from inside the dog's ear for further examination. Examining the sample will correctly identify the bacteria causing the infection so that the doctor can determine which type of antibiotic can be given to kill the bacteria. Severe infections require a combination of drops as an external drug that is put into the ear and systemic antibiotics taken by mouth.
There are many types of treatment available. Your veterinarian will choose the best treatment for your dog, as well as provide instructions for use and the duration of the medication. Treatment is largely determined based on the size and condition of the dog
Step 3. Clean the dog's ears
Choose ear cleaning products that are mild, have a balanced pH, relieve itching (moisturizing), and can evaporate quickly. Choose a liquid form, not a tissue because the liquid can enter the ear canal to clear the infection and pus located in the ear. Place the mouth of the medicine bottle over the dog's ear canal and squeeze the contents out until it is full. Plug the ear canal with a cotton ball and massage the side of his head. Remove the cotton swab and wipe off the ear cleaner that spills out. Repeat until the medicine spill that comes out looks clean.
- If you later notice your dog tilting its head to the side, it could be a sign that the eardrum is tearing, and the ear cleaner is touching the sensitive parts of the middle and inner ear. So, stop using ear cleaners and take your dog to the vet immediately.
- Clearing pus from the ear can reduce the number of bacteria and relieve itching. However, if cleaning your dog's ears irritates him or his ears hurt too much, stop immediately and take him to the vet.
Step 4. Check for possible allergies
In some dogs, ear infections that occur repeatedly and of unclear origin may be related to an allergic reaction. The dog may be allergic to something in its environment (such as pollen or dust mites) or an ingredient in its food. Talk to your vet about this possibility if your dog continues to have ear infections. He can advise the dog on a hypoallergenic diet and monitor if his condition improves.
Method 3 of 4: Recognizing and Treating Parasites
Step 1. Look for signs of external parasitic infection
If you've seen both ears of your dog but each ear appears healthy, there's a good chance that your dog is scratching his ears because of a parasitic infection that attacks the outside of the ears (such as fleas or sarcoptic mites). Check your dog's coat to see if there are fleas and flea droppings that are sticking to the fur around the ears and pushing the fur in different directions.
- Ticks move quickly so you can't always see them. Flea droppings look like brown dust flakes; when you place the dust on a wet cotton wool cloth, you will see orange circles which are dried blood from tick bites.
- Sarcoptic mites are too small to be seen with the naked eye; but you can tell if your dog's hair, especially on the ears and paws, looks like it's been eaten by moths.
Step 2. Follow the treatment plan provided by your veterinarian
If you think lice or sarcoptic mites are causing the itching, then talk to your doctor about administering an appropriate antiparasitic product to kill the ticks and relieve itching.
There are several powerful products that are very effective at killing lice and mites that cause skin diseases. Ask your vet for a recommendation for one of these products and find out how to use the right dose of medication for your dog
Step 3. Look for signs of internal parasitic infection (ear mites)
Since it's difficult to see inside a dog's ear, you may only see signs of the dog's constant scratching of the ear, as well as the presence of a thick, brittle brown wax. These candles are made by ear mites, an infection that often affects dogs. The vet will need a magnifying device (such as an otoscope) to look for mites scurrying around in the ear. Doctors can also see the mites or their eggs through a microscopic glass.
In otodectic skin disease, or ear mite infection, the mite feeds on the waxy coating found in the dog's ear canal and occupies the vertical and horizontal ear canals
Step 4. Follow the treatment plan provided by your veterinarian to get rid of ear mites
Your doctor may recommend that you start taking medications containing pyrethrins, which do not require a prescription. In particular, you should apply pyrethroid ear medication to the dog's ear canal once or twice a day, for 10-14 days. Pyrethrin is a special drug for external use so it is safe for dogs, because the drug cannot enter the blood stream in the dog's body easily.
- Although pyrethrin is effective against ear mites, it cannot fight infections caused by bacteria.
- In theory, there is a risk of poisoning the dog if the dog eats the drug, or if another dog licks your dog's freshly medicated ear. Signs of this poisoning include excessive drooling, muscle tremors, restlessness, and in extreme cases, convulsions. If you notice any of these symptoms, place your dog in a dark, quiet room to minimize stimulation, and see your vet immediately.
Method 4 of 4: Recognizing and Removing Foreign Objects
Step 1. Watch your dog if he scratches and tilts his head
One of the most common problems is that a foreign object such as grass debris or fine grass gets into the dog's ear canal. You may notice that your dog suddenly feels itchy after he's been outside for a walk. Or, he might have looked fine before, but after he went for a walk and came back he tilted his head to one side and scratched his ear constantly.
Foreign objects such as grass flakes can enter a dog's ear canal and cause intense irritation. In this case, the dog will tilt its head to the side of the ear where the foreign body is entering
Step 2. Take the dog to the vet so the doctor can remove the foreign body
You probably won't be able to look deep into their ears for a foreign object, as your dog's ear canal is shaped like an "L" and foreign objects can go deep inside. The veterinarian will need to look inside the ear with the aid of an otoscope (a magnifying instrument as well as a light), and remove any irritating foreign objects using a special long clamping device called alligator forceps.
