TL;DR: Excessive ear scratching is usually caused by allergies or infections; while often non-urgent, seek veterinary care within 24 hours if your dog shows severe symptoms like head tilting or extreme swelling.
Why is my dog excessively scratching their ears?
- Excessive scratching indicates irritation, inflammation, or infection in the ear canal or flap.
- Associated signs include head shaking, rubbing ears against furniture, or sensitivity when touched near the head.
- Common causes range from environmental or food allergies to yeast infections, bacterial infections, ear mites, or foreign bodies like grass seeds.
Is my dog's ear scratching considered a veterinary emergency?
- The urgency level for ear scratching is typically low and rarely life-threatening, though it causes significant discomfort.
- You should seek veterinary care within 24 hours if your dog displays severe head tilting, loss of balance, or an extremely swollen and hot ear flap (aural hematoma).
How does providing a photo help triage my dog's ear issue?
- A clear, well-lit photo of the inner ear flap and canal entrance allows a professional to check for redness, discharge, and blockages.
- Visual assessments help determine if the issue is a routine infection or requires more urgent intervention.
- Providing a photo helps guide immediate home care advice while you wait for your veterinary appointment.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
In dogs, ear scratching (pruritus) and headshaking are common historical findings associated with otitis externa. Primary causes of otitis externa, which can create disease in a normal ear, include allergies, autoimmune diseases (e.g., pemphigus), endocrine disorders, epithelialization disorders, foreign bodies, glandular disorders, immune-mediated reactions (e.g., drug reactions), fungal infections (e.g., aspergillosis), parasites, and viral infections (e.g., canine distemper). Secondary causes, which cause disease in an abnormal ear, include bacteria, fungi, and medication reactions. Examination should include palpation of the ear canal and pinna to determine pain severity, swelling, pruritus, fibrosis, or calcification, and noting any erythema, edema, crusts, scales, ulcers, lichenification, hyperpigmentation, or exudate. Radiographs of the osseous bullae are indicated when proliferative tissues prevent adequate visualization of the tympanic membrane, when otitis media is suspected, or when neurologic signs accompany otitis externa; CT or MRI should be performed for severe, chronic cases. Treatment depends on identifying and addressing the primary cause while managing secondary infections.
Chapter: Dermatology
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 528)