Dog ear infection complications: ruptured tympanic membrane

Dog ear infections can be very severe if neglected or treated incorrectlly.  For this reason you should always take your dog to the vet to have his ear checked thoroughly.  In some severe dog ear infections the eardrum (tympanic membrane) can rupture, resulting in spread of the infection into the middle ear.  This sounds painful and messy: it is.

Here are some great photos of the difference between a normal and a ruptured ear drum from a case study by the University of Pennsylvania Vet School

Dog Ear Vet

Read more about canine otitis externa

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Walnut went for an ear flush guided by a video otoscope under general anesthesia 2 weeks later.  The picture below on the left is of her tympanic membrane, which was ruptured in both ears.  Compare it to a normal canine ear drum seen on the right.  Both ears were flushed, along with the tympanic bullae, and bilateral middle ear cultures were taken for culture and sensitivity testing.                                               Walnut’s left tympanic membrane, ruptured due to severe otitis                                                           Normal canine tympanic membrane                                    externa leading to otitis media                             Future Treatment Plan: Continue oral antibiotics for an additional 8 weeks (change if necessary based on culture and sensitivity from the middle ear) combined with topical treatment of both ears .  If sensitivity reveals no effective oral antibiotic, treat via topical therapy alone for one month past resolution of external canal inflammation and negative cytology.  Click on the button below to see results of Culture and Sensitivitiy from the middle ear.                                                                                                Walnut was treated with oral marbofloxacin 5mg/kg SID (based on culture & sensitivity testing)  for 8 weeks post video otoscopic ear flush.  Her topical regimen included:                     Epiotic (acidifying/drying cleanser) – clean both ears every other day.                     Silver Sulfadiazine (1%) – apply 1cc to both ears twice daily.  Walnut’s otitis required 4 total months of therapy for complete resolution.  At the end of treatment, Walnut’s tympanic membranes had regenerated. Intradermal Allergy Testing (IDAT) was planned to definitively diagnose Atopy as the underlying cause of Walnut’s dermatological problems. The test will be performed in October (end of pollen season) to maximize positive allergen reactions. Â

Complications with Dog Ear Infections

If your pet’s dog ear infections are not treated at the right time, then it can lead to more trouble. Do remember your pet requires the same medical attention that you need. And as an owner, it is your responsibility to give him everything that is required to maintain a normal life. Please make sure you give that extra care to your dog when it is sick.

To the outside world, dog ear infections may seem to be a very minute problem. But as an owner you need to understand that if left unattended, this may take a very bad shape. One thing to worry is that a simple ear infection takes the form of a sarcoma which is a form of tumor that forms on the ear canal. This type of dog ear infection treatment will require a surgery. Other types of tumors that may develop are hemangiosarcoma and malignant melanoma.

One of the worst things is that a dog suffering from severe case of ear infection has all the chances of developing facial nerve problems as well. Reason being, the ears are part of their heads. This condition is termed as otitis media.

Deafness is another major complication of dog ear infections. A very normal and minor case of ear infection if left unattended due to the owner’s negligence, poor hygiene, and unhealthy surroundings can result in the damage of the inner ear which ultimately results in deafness.

In extreme cases of ear infection, one thing that is apparent is the rashes of the cartilages of the ears. Again, unless the dogs are involved in a fight, this condition is not common. There could be a cut in the cartilages of the ear. This is another reason for dog deafness.

Development of bacterial meningitis in your pet is one of the rare cases which occur due to a rising path from the ear to the brainstem region of the dog that the bacteria find out. This bacteria forms abscess in the brain area which is very hard to treat.

If one thinks that an ear infection will get better without medical assistance, then let me tell you that the chances are very few. When an infection is left unattended, it might cause a rupture in the eardrum resulting in a middle ear infection and your pet looses its balance. At this stage treatment or cure becomes very difficult and this ultimately results in loss of hearing. The dog starts to continuously shake his head when it has an ear infection which causes a blood blister in the ear which later needs a surgery. In some cases the infection moves up the acoustic nerve and causes a fatal brain infection. Do remember that an infection is neither your fault nor your pets. Your pet will always love you for the extra care and time that you gave it throughout the period.