Why does a dog scratch its ears?

Anxiety of the animal and obsessive attention to certain parts of the body, in particular the ears, is caused by itching – an unpleasant sensation caused by stimuli of various origins. Causes of itching in dogs can be very different.

What causes itching?

• Parasites: fleas, ear mites (otodectosis), itching acariform mites (sarcoptic mange), skin mites (demodectic mange), lice, lice;

• Hypersensitivity reactions (food allergies, atopic dermatitis);

• Infections (bacteria, malacesia, dermatophytosis);

• Various tumors, injuries, endocrinopathies.

All of these factors cause skin damage, inflammation, irritation of nerve receptors. Itching in the ears leads to restlessness of the animal, which is manifested by scratching, rubbing against various objects, dogs shaking their heads and sometimes holding them turned to their side. Due to obsessive scratching, the skin in the ears is even more damaged. The inflammation is complicated by a secondary infection. Pyotraumatic dermatitis appears, an unpleasant smell from the ears, edema may also develop, a change in coat color, an increase in local temperature, depression of the general condition, and vestibular syndrome may occur.

Diagnosis of itching in the ears in a dog aims to identify the initial cause of the disease. It consists in collecting an anamnesis (information about the conditions of feeding, keeping, processing the animal from various parasites), otoscopy (examination of the inside of the auricle using a special device to detect damage, inflammation, swelling of the wall of the auricle), examination of earwax (to identify ticks: otodectos, demodex), cytological examination of a smear – imprint (detection of bacteria, malacesia).

The veterinarian prescribes treatment taking into account the nature and severity of the disease. Therapy, as a rule, is etiotropic (aimed at eliminating the cause of the disease) and symptomatic (aimed at reducing itching, causing severe discomfort).

In the event that the itching does not go away after eliminating all the identified factors, they proceed to the diagnosis of allergies (food, atopy). This is a long multi-part study that requires the owners to be involved in the process.

Methods for the prevention of itching in the ears in dogs is the correct, balanced feeding, taking into account the breed, age and individual characteristics, compliance with hygiene standards, regular treatment for parasites. And, of course, love and care, protecting from stress, which can lead to immunosuppression and a decrease in the body’s resistance to aggressive environmental factors.