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Ear disease is one of the most common presentations in the veterinary clinic. The rest of the skin and coat may or may not be involved in the ear condition. Pets with ear disease can often present with red itchy ears with varying amounts of discharge, odor and sensitivity, with one or both ears involved. The most common cause of red ears is underlying allergies, either to inhalant/contact allergies and/or food allergies. |
Ear mites, while common in young pets, are rarely involved in red itchy ears of older pets. Many times red ears are often accompanied by secondary yeast or bacterial infections of the ear which can be uncomfortable and frustrating to cure. There are great products such as Zymox Otic and Zymox Otic with Hydrocortisone, which can not only treat active yeast or bacterial infections but also excellent as preventatives for ear disease. If there is an accompanying odor and discharge, the ear cleaners Epi-Otic and Zinc Otic are often my favorites to reach for in cleaning waxy ears. However, it’s important to note that if an ear is only transiently red for a brief period of time, that means a pet is usually only warm or excited, and an ear infection is less likely.
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15 Comments
allergies dog 24 pounds shnerzer 8 years old
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
April 2nd, 2011 at 7:46 pm
You can try benadryl 25 mg twice daily. Also add fatty acid to meals such as nordic naturals omega 3 from 1800petmeds. Also proanthozone is excellent antioxidant in addition to all natural yucca intensive. If symptoms persist, see your vet.
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My dog has frequent ear infections. The cleanser I use doesn’t seem to work to avoid this and I get an antibiotic from the vet, which is about out and would like to know what the price is and shipping for the antibiotic
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
July 18th, 2011 at 10:00 pm
I would need to know name of antibiotic to give you price estimate. Best to ask 1800petmeds pharmacist operator. also consider OTC product from 1800petmeds called zymox otic HC which may be antibiotic alternative for you.
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My dog’s ear is red on the inside on one ear. The other ear is equally as dirty, but she keeps shaking her head and scratching. I can imagine something is bothering her. The redness only began in the past couple of days. Over the past month, I’ve noticed her scratching her head quite a bit; chin, cheeks, eyebrows. She gets a bath every few months with puppy shampoo. She is 6 and I’ve never seen her scratch this much. What should I do?
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
December 12th, 2011 at 12:06 pm
Try oralantihistamine such as benadryl at dose of 1 mg per pound twice daily. You can try topical zymox otic HC from 1800petmeds. If problem persists, then see vet for exam and evaluation.
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My dog started shaking his head really bad. He walks around with his head tilted like he is in mid shake. I examined his ears and found nothing at first. However, later the same day his ears are reddened. It irritates him so much he can’t sleep. Also, when he shakes it almost sounds like there is water shaking around.
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
July 21st, 2012 at 2:57 pm
Sounds like possible external and/or middle ear infection. I would take to vet for exam and evaluation to see if prescription topical ear medications needed.
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My dog is 7months old and got a bumpy nose and red swollen eye two days ago. We took him the vets and they gave him a steriod shot for allergies.
Since then he’s been throwing up anything he eats or drinks, and has very red tender ears. However his nose and eyes have gone back to normal.
Could this still be from the allery or is it something more? And when will he be better?
Many thanks
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
August 27th, 2012 at 5:51 pm
Could be ongoing allergy or different digestive problem such as virus or parasite. Could try pepcid AC at dose of one half mg per pound once to twice daily and bland hamburger and rice diet. If vomit persists or worsens, see vet for GI workup.
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My dog (shih tzu) has had ear mites off and on since i first got him at 8 weeks old.he is one year old now. i get him groomed once a month so he stays pretty clean. ive noticed him scraching at his ears and shaking them constantly. ive tried cleaning his ears and putting drops in but he hates and i know he is in pain. the inside of one ear is really red and visiably infected. what can i do? do i take him to the vet?
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
October 21st, 2012 at 4:30 pm
A vet exam may be helpful to assess for yeast or bacterial infection in ears. You could try zymox otic HC from 1800petmeds which is excellent product.
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My dog Vinny has a red ear and there are some red splotches on it–it’s both on the inside and the outside of the ear…I just noticed this yesterday. He has been scratching it and shaking his head a lot–it’s clear something is bothering him just not sure what it is. He is 5 years old now–he had ear mites when he was a pup but don’t think that’s it. Any help would be appreciated!
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
November 7th, 2012 at 9:56 pm
Most likely secondary yeast or bacterial infection from underlying allergy. You could try Zymox otic HC from 1800petmeds. SEe vet if signs persist for prescription topical ear medicine if needed.
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I have a chihuahua dog that is 2 years old. She developed a red eye that caused her to squint and it appeared puffy. Today I have noticed that she seems to guard her ear on the same side. I picked her up to lover on her and when I placed my hand near her ear she squeaked. She weighs just under 5 pounds. I checked her ear and it is not inflammed, red or producing a fowl oder or discharge. She will drink, but not eat.
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
January 6th, 2013 at 5:00 pm
If a red eye then best to have vet exam to make sure not scratch on cornea. Not much can suggest at home.
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My 12 week old boxer puppy has one ear thats red on the inside and kind of hangs back. She doesn’t bother her and it doesn’t hurt her when I touch it. A few days ago she went to pop her head in my three year olds room right as he was shutting the door so the door hit her head. And that day is when I started noticing the problems. It may be a coincidence but should I take her in to the vet?
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
January 8th, 2013 at 6:47 pm
Probably best to have vet check to make sure no problems.
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I have a 4 month shit zu, one of her ears is red and it has a bad smell, i took her to the vet the same day i notice, but he told me that i could be an infection but she does not need medication yet, she does not have other symptoms but i am still a little concern, this is my first dog, i dont know what to do, please help me
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
January 28th, 2013 at 12:31 pm
I would try good ear cleaner used regularly such as epiotic from 1800petmeds. Also consider zymox otic HC if yeast and/or bacterial infection develop.
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I have, mixed/breed , Jack Russel-Beagle, age 15 yrs., female dog. I have taken her to her regular vet, plus another, for second opinion. It has been several months ago Oct, 2012 and still having the same on-going problems everyday. It does not matter if she is asleep or awake, she starts coughing and/or (heaves)several times and sometimes will vomit. She was x-rayed by the vet, that I usely take her to. Per vet,everything was ok, her heart was good, everything checked out. The other vet stated the only thing wrong was several fatty tumors (in fact was told nothing to worry about. She also licks her feet, she sheds alot of her hair and , the second vet .put her on Temaril-P for allergies, and she has taken a prednisone (give 2 tablets twice daily for 4 days then decrease to 2 tablets once daily until all is gone.
isI it possible that her chocking could be hair in her throat? What do you think could be wrong with her? She is such a good dog, behavior is just great., housebroken, patient, everything, plus a good watch dog. I dearly love her. I hope to get another opinion, from another doctor/vet . And, I won’t hold it against you. Thank you every much and have a good year (2013).
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
February 14th, 2013 at 6:20 pm
She could have an allergic/inflammatory problem of her airways which is why vets prescribed temaril P and pred. A trial with a good antibiotic like doxycycline also may help. Make sure x rays and other blood work has been done as well as stool sample to rule out parasites, etc
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I have, mixed/breed , Jack Russel-Beagle, age 15 yrs., female dog. I have taken her to her regular vet, plus another, for second opinion. It has been several months ago Oct, 2012 and still having the same on-going problems everyday. It does not matter if she is asleep or awake, she starts coughing and/or (heaves)several times and sometimes will vomit. She was x-rayed by the vet, that I usely take her to. Per vet,everything was ok.,her heart was good, everything checked out. The other vet stated the only thing wrong was several fatty tumors (in fact was told nothing to worry about. She also licks her feet, she sheds alot of her hair and , the second vet .put her on Temaril-P for allergies, and she has taken a prednisone (give 2 tablets twice daily for 4 days then decrease to 2 tablets once daily until all is gone.
Is it possible that her chocking could be hair in her throat? What do you think could be wrong with her? She is such a good dog, behavior is just great., housebroken, patient, everything, plus a good watch dog. I dearly love her. I hope to get another opinion, from another doctor/vet . And, I won’t hold it against you. Thank you every much and have a good year (2013).
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
February 14th, 2013 at 6:20 pm
Answered below
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I have a 7 week old miniature chihuahua and he has red little bumps in his ears on the flap part on the skin and around his “man junk”. I just noticed it today and was wondering what i should do.
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
April 15th, 2013 at 10:12 am
I would have vet check to see if antibiotics are needed.
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Julissa Reply:
April 15th, 2013 at 4:44 pm
Is there any home remedies i can do? Vet bills are often expensive and thats money i don’t have at the moment.
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
April 15th, 2013 at 10:08 pm
You can try zymox otic HC from 1800petmeds. If signs persist or worsen, see vet.
my dog has been acting like when i try to pick him up or pet him he growls and screams in pain and bites me he raises his rear in the air and the front end down
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
April 23rd, 2013 at 8:54 am
Need to have vet exam and evaluation for proper diagnosis of condition and treatment plan.
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I have a 2 year old chi. She has really red ears that seemed to drop but does not seem to be itchy since she won’t scratch or flap them. She is lethargic and does not seem her normal self. She wont’t eat just drink.
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Dr. Michael Dym, VMD veterinarian Reply:
May 6th, 2013 at 10:43 pm
Given loss of appetite, best to have vet exam and evaluation to make sure nothing more than simple ear infection.
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