Swimmer&#39;s Ear

Swimmer’s ear affects 1 in every 200 Americans every year. The medical term for swimmer’s ears is otitis externa, which means inflammation (otitis) of the outer ear and ear canal. Swimmer’s ear occurs when moisture in the canal promotes the growth of yeast and bacteria. Yeast and bacteria cause painful inflammation, head shaking, itching, odor, and a feeling that the ears are blocked. Just like people, dogs are prone to swimmer’s ear, and the latest information for humans is useful for dogs.

Otolaryngologists, including the chairman of UT Southwestern Medical Center, prepared these guidelines to treat swimmer’s ear:

Put antiseptic ear drops or antibiotics in the ear immediately after swimming.
Take special care to treat those who are allergic, diabetic, or immune-suppressed.
Avoid using systemic antibiotics. Systemic antibiotics are medication put into the mouth, dissolved in the stomach, and carried throughout the body in the blood system. Systemic antibiotics are not as effective as antiseptics or antibiotics applied directly to the ear. In addition, systemic antibiotics may cause side effects.

Because pets with excess ear wax (cerumen) are especially prone to swimmer’s ear, it’s important to prevent the build-up and accumulation of cerumen. In dogs, excess cerumen is often caused by allergic reactions to foods, respiratory irritants, and contact irritants.

Allergic pets are helped by avoiding allergens, especially those in the food. Home feeding trials help identify foods that allergic pets can safely consume. Allergic pets are also helped with of Omega 3 fatty acid supplements because these fatty acids decrease the pet’s tendency to abnormal heat, inflammation, itching, and swelling—the hallmarks of allergy.

Omega 3s help pets whether the allergen is in the food, the air, or on the pet’s skin. Fresh ground flax and fish oils are excellent Omega 3 fatty acids for allergic pets.

Just as humans with swimmer’s ears should try to prevent problems before they occur, pet guardians should try to prevent problems in dogs whenever possible. Use cotton balls to keep water from the ears when bathing pets, and wash the face and ears with a washcloth rather than by spraying the head with water. Gently dry your pet’s ear with a washcloth or soft paper towel immediately after swimming or bathing. Don’t use fibrous material like toilet paper or dry, wispy cotton balls than can leave shreds in the ear canal. And, avoid hairdryers. Some pet guardians are too aggressive with hairdryers and damage sensitive skin in the ear, actually increasing the production of ear wax. Do treat ears with antiseptic, and the least expensive, most effective is female hygiene douche solution without perfumes. These solutions are meant for delicate skin and contain the ideal 2% concentrations of acetic acid (vinegar) and boric acid.

If your pet’s ears are red or irritated, or if your pet is headshaking or scratching, discuss the possibility of swimmer’s ear (otitis externa) with your veterinarian.