Dog Care: Ear Cysts Explained
Your dog's middle ear is the section that sits just behind their eardrum. If your dog's eardrum ruptures, which may not be noticeable or cause any symptoms, their middle ear can become infected. Breeds with folded ears, long hair around the ears or narrow ear canals are more likely to develop an infection. The presence of ear mites can also lead to both parasitic and bacterial middle ear infections. Ear cysts are small fluid-filled sacs and can develop as a complication of a middle ear infection. Here's an overview of the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment approach for ear cysts in dogs:
Symptoms
Symptoms of ear cysts include frequent shaking of the head and itchy or painful ears. Signs of ear pain include your dog pawing at their ears or withdrawing from physical contact, particularly being stroked around the ears. Eating may also cause an exacerbation of the pain in your dog's ears, so the loss of appetite, dehydration and weight loss are also common. Additionally, your dog may experience low mood and withdraw from social interaction.
Diagnosis And Treatment Approach
Your vet will diagnose ear cysts by taking details of your dog's symptoms and examining their ear canal with an otoscope, which can help them identify damage to the eardrum and determine if the ear canal is swollen or if it contains any discharge. If discharge is present, a swab will be taken and analysed for the presence of bacteria and parasites. Your dog will also undergo diagnostic imaging, such as an X-ray or CT scan, which allow the vet to confirm the presence of cysts behind the eardrum and determine the extent of swelling and damage to the surrounding tissues.
Surgery is required to treat ear cysts, and the procedure involves complete removal of the ear canal. Your dog will still be able to hear out of the affected ear, but their hearing in that ear may not be as good as it was previously. Your dog will be prescribed a short course of antibiotics after their surgery to prevent infection while they heal. If your dog has lost a significant amount of weight, they may also be given intravenous nutritional support, and you may be advised to alter their diet to include more calories until they regain an appropriate amount of weight.
If your dog has symptoms associated with ear cysts, schedule an appointment with your vet as soon as possible to prevent your dog from enduring unnecessary suffering. Look for vet services in your area.