Be all ears on how to deal with otitis in dogs

Recurring ear infections are among the most common reasons owners take their dogs to the vet

- Carly Mason

Specialist dermatologist Carly Mason recommends seeking treatment from a veterinarian as soon as possible if your dog has relapsing ear infections.

(PHOTOS: LANDON VETERINARY SPECIALIST HOSPITAL / IPET A+E)

Has your dog been keeping you up at night with constant whining and scratching of its ears? Or you cannot seem to keep its ears clean no matter how much you wipe them?

Your dog could be suffering from an ear infection.

Otitis, the medical term for ear infections, is one of the most common reasons dogs visit a veterinarian. Otitis episodes can be itchy, painful for the dog and are a source of frustration for owners, particularly if the infections keep coming back.

Ear infections are a dermatological condition, as the inside of the ear is lined with skin.

Normal ears do not get infected. Therefore, if your dog has had ear infections, there must be an underlying cause.

The causes of ear infections are generally divided into primary and secondary factors. The primary cause can be something as simple as ear mites, which can be cured, or a more chronic non-curable problem of the skin.

The most common non-curable primary cause of relapsing/chronic otitis in dogs is allergies, medically known as atopic dermatitis (similar to eczema in humans). Atopic dermatitis causes inflammation of the ear skin and wax glands.