How to treat and prevent yeast ear infections in dogs

Yeast ear infections (yeast otitis) are very common in dogs, causing symptoms such as itchy ears, head shaking, inflammation, and ear discharge and odor. Yeasts are types of fungi that normally live in a dog’s ear canal without causing disease, but the shape of a dog’s ears, environmental factors, and medical conditions can all contribute to an infection. If you’re a dog owner, read on to learn:

• Symptoms of yeast infection in dogs’ ears
• How yeast ear infections are diagnosed and treated
• Why ear infections may come back
• How to prevent a dog’s ear infection

Most cases of yeast otitis in dogs are treated with antifungal topical medications that may also contain anti-inflammatories and/or antibiotics, but severe chronic cases may warrant more aggressive treatment, including surgery. Yeast ear infections often recur due to incomplete treatment, including inadequate management of underlying factors allowing the population of yeast to overgrow. It’s important to get an accurate diagnosis before pursuing treatment, as many other health issues can cause symptoms similar to yeast otitis.

Yeast ear infections are caused by an overgrowth of yeast organisms on the skin lining a dog’s ears. These types of fungi are a normal part of the ecosystem in a dog’s ears. When something causes ear inflammation or other changes to the ear canal’s environment, yeast can overgrow, leading to an infection. The most common species of yeast involved in ear infections is Malassezia pachydermatis. **Other names for a yeast ear infection include:

• Yeast otitis
• Fungal otitis
• Malassezia otitis externa

“Yeast are opportunists, meaning they usually overgrow only in response to something else changing the conditions in the ear,” states Dr. Jo Myers, a veterinarian on the Vetster platform. Examples of primary causes or predisposing factors for yeast otitis include:

• Allergies
• Trapped moisture in the ear
• Ear mite infestation
• Narrowed ear canals resulting from chronic inflammation or due to the breed
• Tumors or polyps in the ear canal
• Hypothyroidism
• Cushing’s disease

The most common primary cause of yeast otitis is allergies. Environmental or food allergies can cause ear inflammation, leading to yeast overgrowth. Dogs who frequently go in the water may be at a higher risk due to their ears getting wet. Excess moisture getting trapped in the ear canals can lead to yeast overgrowth. Bathing, swimming, and ear cleaning can all contribute to excessive moisture being trapped in the ears. Dogs with long ears, abundant hair growth in the ear canals, or certain breed-specific ear structures are at higher risk for ear issues. In these dogs, restricted airflow can trap heat and humidity, making it difficult for moisture to escape and creating an environment that promotes yeast overgrowth.

Symptoms of yeast otitis in dogs

Common signs of a yeast ear infection include:

• Itchy ears
• Red, swollen skin lining the ears
• An “orange-peel” texture to the skin inside the ear
• Brown to gray, greasy ear discharge
• Head shaking
• Drooping or dropped ears
• Musty odor to the ears
• Signs of pain when the ears are touched

However, similar symptoms may also occur with:

• Bacterial ear infections
• Allergic otitis externa (no disease-causing organisms are present)
• Ear mites
• Injuries to the ear
• Tumors in the ear canal

Depending on the infection’s primary cause, dogs may have additional symptoms, such as:

• Overall itchiness (pruritus) and hair loss from allergies
• Unexplained weight gain from hypothyroidism
• A pot-bellied appearance from Cushing’s disease

A common complication of head shaking associated with ear inflammation and itchiness is a hematoma on the ear (aural hematoma).

When a dog presents with symptoms such as itchy ears and ear discharge, a vet often starts with a physical examination, including examining deep inside the ears with an otoscope. Additional testing may be recommended to determine the following:

• The type of ear infection
• The underlying cause of the infection
• If it’s something noninfectious, such as allergic otitis

Diagnostic tests may include:

• Ear cytology
• Bacterial or fungal culture
• Blood tests
• Diagnostic imaging if tumors or polyps are suspected
• Biopsy

An ear cytology is an examination of debris and discharge from the ear canal under a microscope to look for disease-causing organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and parasites. It’s the primary test for diagnosing ear infections in dogs, and a definitive diagnosis of yeast otitis is only made if large numbers of yeast are identified via cytology. Other causes of ear inflammation can cause similar symptoms, so a definitive diagnosis is necessary for effective treatment.

Once confirmed, treatment for yeast infections in a dog’s ears usually involves:

• Thorough ear cleaning
• Antifungal ear drops
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Treatment of underlying health issues
• Addressing environmental factors contributing to yeast overgrowth in the ears

Your vet may instruct you to clean your dog’s ears before giving topical medication. They may also suggest regular cleaning at home to help prevent infections in the future. Sometimes a deep cleaning under sedation is recommended. A veterinary professional can help by guiding owners through ear cleanings and administering ear drops in a virtual vet appointment.

In some cases, medical management alone is insufficient for eliminating yeast otitis. Lateral ear resection and total ear canal ablation are two types of surgery that open up the ear canal to help it stay cool, clean, and dry. Similarly, surgery may be recommended to remove a tumor or polyp if they’re interfering with the normal structure of the ear canal in a way that encourages yeast to grow.

Why does my dog’s ear infection seem to always come back?

Recurrent ear infections can be frustrating for pet parents and their dogs. There’s almost always an underlying issue that creates an opportunistic environment for yeast or bacteria to overgrow. If the primary cause of yeast otitis is not identified and effectively dealt with, the infection is likely to recur.

Some underlying causes are easily managed. For example, regularly using an ear cleaning or drying agent after swimming can help dogs that spend a lot of time in the water. Allergy treatment also aims to reduce or prevent flare-ups of yeast otitis in affected dogs. However, some causes are more challenging to address, such as a dog prone to yeast otitis due to the natural shape of its ears.

If a dog has repeated ear infections, the ear canal may become narrow and thickened in response to the chronic inflammation. This prevents air circulation within the canal, increasing heat and humidity and encouraging yeast overgrowth, setting up a vicious cycle for more otitis in the future.

Sometimes, an infection comes back because the medical treatment wasn’t fully effective due to the following:

• Not using enough medication
• Not using the medication for a long enough time
• Wax buildup or swelling preventing ear drops from fully distributing

Appropriate follow-up care with a veterinarian is important to ensure the treatment is effective and the infection is gone. Dogs with otitis usually need more than just ear drops; they need a long-term plan to minimize what created the conditions that led to the infection in the first place.

The best way to prevent yeast otitis in dogs is to control any predisposing factors that may contribute to yeast overgrowth in the ears. Effectively managing food or environmental allergies in dogs can help prevent ear inflammation and resulting infection. Dog breeds predisposed to yeast ear infections due to the nature of their ears may benefit from regular ear cleaning and ear grooming. A veterinarian’s guidance is necessary, as inappropriate cleaning, plucking, or trimming of hair in the ears can make things worse. If directed to do so by a veterinarian, owners can help keep their dog’s ears dry by:

• Using a drying agent after swimming
• Avoiding getting the ears wet when bathing

Regularly cleaning the ears or skin folds around the ears as instructed by a veterinarian may help prevent infections. However, putting anything at all in a dog’s ear, even sterile saline, carries risk and may cause permanent hearing loss, so it’s always better to talk to a veterinarian first. An online vet can offer advice on how to help prevent ear infections based on your dog’s anatomy and underlying health issues.

It’s important to talk to a veterinarian if your dog is showing symptoms associated with ear infections, such as ear discharge, itchiness, or a foul odor coming from the ears. Do not attempt to treat your dog’s ear infection without a vet’s guidance. Different types of infections require different treatment methods. Infections are likely to recur if the underlying cause is not addressed. In addition, home remedies are likely to be ineffective and may be harmful as well as delaying proper care with a vet.

How can I prevent my dog from getting a yeast ear infection?

Yeast ear infections usually occur secondary to structural changes in the ear or to another health issue that creates a favorable environment for yeast to overgrow. Managing underlying health conditions, such as allergies, helps prevent secondary infections. Dogs with long ears or hairy ear canals may benefit from regular grooming to prevent infections. Talk to a vet about why your dog is having recurring ear infections and how to prevent them in the future.

What happens if a dog’s yeast ear infection is left untreated?

An untreated ear infection can lead to permanent changes to the ear canal that can make it more likely for future ear problems to develop. In addition, untreated infections can spread to the middle or inner ear, potentially leading to permanent damage, including hearing loss.

How do I treat my dog’s yeast infection in their ears?

It’s important to seek veterinary care if you suspect your dog has a yeast ear infection. Other health issues can cause similar symptoms but require different treatment options. Once confirmed, yeast ear infections are usually treated with antifungal medication, anti-inflammatories, and ear cleaning. Additional treatment may be needed to address the underlying cause of the infection.

Disclaimer: This article, its content, and its related references do not constitute veterinary advice and should not be considered a substitute for veterinary care. If your pet is showing any symptoms that could indicate a medical emergency, please seek immediate emergency care.