Causes Of Ear Problems

Allergy or other immune system problems are almost always the root initiating cause of ear problems in dogs and cats. Allergies can cause abnormalities in ear tissue and can result in severe itchiness of the ears, resulting in scratching of the ears by the pet.

Autoimmune disorders including pemphigus or lupus can also cause ear disease and can be difficult to differentiate from disease to to allergy. Mite parasites such as ear mites (Otodectes), scabies mites (Sarcoptes), and demodicosis mites (Demodex) can infest the ears. Neoplasia (tumors) including malignant tumors (cancer) can occur in the ears. Many other conditions that involve the skin can also have an effect on the skin, sometimes resulting in symptoms of ear disease and/or otitis.

Damage to the ears results in heightened susceptibility of the ears to infections and these infections will recur and/or continue unless the allergy is controlled. If your pet always seems to have ear infections or if your pet’s ears are always appear dirty due to a dark discharge in the ear canals, your pet almost certainly has an underlying health problem. Sometimes the only sign of the health problem is ear disease.

Diagnosing the underlying cause is important to avoid extensive ear disease including middle ear disorders like otitis media. Dr. Byrne has many years of experience in diagnosing and managing the underlying causes of ear problems.

List/Summary of Causes 

• Ear disease is caused by many different and predisposing factors, some of them working in combination:
• Anatomy-deep ear canals and long floppy ears are predisposing causes because they set up a warm and moist environment that bacteria and fungi thrive in.
• Breed- Some breeds like Cocker Spaniels are commonly affected because of allergies, long floppy ears, and inbreeding.
• Allergy- In addition to causing itchy skin and hair loss in general, allergies can also cause ear problems
• Low Thyroid- On occasion low thyroid hormone can cause ear problems
• Parasites- Ear mites are also a cause of ear disease, especially in cats
• Drug reactions- Any drug can cause a reaction that inflames the ear
• Hygiene- Debris in the ear canal can cause an infection
• Immune system diseases
• Tumors
• Sugar Diabetes
• Cushing's Disease
• Feline Leukemia (FeLV) and Feline Immunodeficiency (FIV) viruses