The healthy ear

The ear canal is a tubular extension of the skin with some extra features. Skin cells mature and shed off approximately every three weeks. As this process is harder in a tube, the ear has a self-cleaning mechanism. Skin cells travel outwards and carry ear wax, micro-organisms that normally live on the skin surface and any foreign material that needs to be removed, towards the ear opening like a conveyor belt. This allows the dog to clean its own ears.

Self cleaning is important - if the ear drum area is covered in wax and skin cells then it is impossible for the dog to hear, one of the senses they rely heavily on.

If the self-cleaning mechanism fails due to inflammation and swelling, dirt and debris can build up. This creates a perfect environment for the bacteria and yeasts that normally live on the skin in low numbers, to multiply and overgrow (leading to an ear infection).

Watch this video on how to clean your dog’s ears

Healthy dog ears contain low numbers of bacteria and yeasts, this is completely normal. However if the ear environment becomes inflamed and therefore unbalanced, these micro-organisms can overgrow and this can cause further changes in the ear canal. Your vet may refer to this as microbial overgrowth or an ear infection. Overgrowth of the normal bacteria and yeasts is not contagious but the affected pet may need treatment with medication to help bring this under control.

With recurring inflammation or delays in seeking treatment, chronic changes to the ear canal might develop which makes the ear inflammation harder to treat. This might give opportunistic bacteria in the environment a possibility to invade the ear and it can cause deeper middle ear or even inner ear problems that makes life miserable for your dog and you.

Watch this video on how to clean your dog’s ears

Healthy dog ears contain lots of yeast and bacteria, this is normal, but if the environment is not balanced, these microorganisms can overgrow and cause further disturbances to the ear canal. Microbial overgrowth is not contagious and will not spread to other members of the household.

With recurring inflammation or poor timing, chronic changes to the ear canal might develop which makes the ear inflammation harder to treat. This might give opportunistic bacteria in the environment a possibility to invade the ear and it can cause deeper middle ear or even inner ear involvement that makes life miserable for your dog and you.