Can an ear infection cause my dog to lose balance?

Can an ear infection cause my dog to lose balance?

Ear Infection Inner ear infections are a common cause of balance loss in dogs. If your dog has an ear infection, you may also notice additional symptoms like head shaking and scratching, walking in circles, and eye flicking, as well as redness, swelling, discharge, and odor in or around the affected ear.

Can an ear infection make my dog shake?

Ear infections tend to be itchy and produce a lot of discharge and inflammation, all of which make dogs want to shake their heads. If you lift up the flap of your dog’s ear(s) and see redness, swelling, or discharge, an infection is likely.

Can ear infection cause dog to walk in circles?

Your dog may develop a head tilt, usually to the side of the infected ear, and he may even lean, fall, or roll toward the infected side. His balance may be completely altered making it difficult to walk properly, and he may even walk in circles toward the side of the infected ear.

How do dogs act when they have an ear infection?

Many dog owners have learned to recognize the telltale signs of an ear infection: whining, scratching, and head shaking are often the first symptoms of the problem. Ear infections are common conditions in dogs, especially those with floppy ears such as Basset Hounds and Cocker Spaniels.

What happens to a dog with an inner ear infection?

Recovery of Middle and Inner Ear Infections in Dogs. When a middle or inner ear infection is treated quickly, most dogs respond to treatment and do not have long-term effects. If the infection was not diagnosed and treated quickly, long-term effects such as deafness and an altered sense of balance may result.

Why does my Bloodhound have an ear infection?

One of the most often encountered dog ear problems is associated with ear infections, and it’s often a repeating problem, especially if your dog spends a lot of time in the water. Dogs with long and hanging ears like Bloodhound or Basset Hound are more likely to be affected by ear infections.

Can a cocker spaniel get an inner ear infection?

Dogs with narrow ear canals, such the Cocker Spaniel and the Shar-Pei, and dogs with hairy inner ear canals, such as the Poodle and Schnauzer, can also be more susceptible to middle and inner ear infections. Your dog’s ear consists of three main parts: the outer ear, the middle ear and the inner ear.

What causes swelling on the tip of a dog’s ear?

Excessive shaking of the ears, scratching and trauma can also lead to hematoma in dogs, which occurs when the blood vessels under the skin bleed until they form a fluid-filled pocket. You can recognize dog ear hematoma if you see a swelling on your pup’s ear flap, particularly on the tip of the ear. How to Prevent It:

What happens if your dog has an ear infection?

Inner ear infections are a common cause of balance loss in dogs. If your dog has an ear infection, you may also notice additional symptoms like head shaking and scratching, walking in circles, and eye flicking, as well as redness, swelling, discharge, and odor in or around the affected ear.

Why does my dog have peripheral vestibular disease?

Its most common cause is inflammation of the nerves that connect the ear to the brain, most often caused by chronic or recurrent ear infections. In some situations, vestibular disease can result from a lesion or infection in the brain, a stroke, or a head injury.

How can you tell if your dog has otitis interna?

The signs of otitis interna depend upon the severity and the extent of the infection. Some dogs may show no outward signs at all, but you may notice your dog is reluctant to chew or seems to be in pain when opening his mouth. He may shake his head or paw at the affected ear.

Can a cocker spaniel have an ear infection?

Ear infections are common conditions in dogs, especially those with floppy ears such as Basset Hounds and Cocker Spaniels. An estimated 20 percent of dogs have some form of ear disease, which may affect one or both ears. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce the length and severity of these episodes for your dog.