Goldendoodle Ear Infections

A dog’s ears are the perfect location for build-ups of wax, hair, moisture, dirt and debris. Unsurprisingly then, many dogs over the course of their lifetime will have at least one ear infection.

These are far from pleasant for any dog, so knowing the signs and symptoms of ear infections is imperative for your dog’s health.

This article will look at the reasons behind your dog developing a nasty ear infection, as well as what to look out for and when to seek veterinary expertise on the matter. Don’t forget to visit our homepage for more tips on keeping your Doodle in tip-top condition. 

Signs Your Goldendoodle May Have An Ear Infection

Sometimes, a dog may have an ear infection and display little to no signs or symptoms. However, as ear infections often lead to a painful, inflamed ear canal, they will often find the infection difficult to deal with.

Some of the most common dog ear infection symptoms include:

• Head shaking
• Tilting the head from side to side
• Scratching at their ears and face
• An unpleasant odor coming from the ear
• Weeping/discharge coming from the ear
• Redness in the ear
• Hair loss around the ears and side of the face from scratching

Any one of these dog ear infection symptoms would indicate that it would be best to take your Groodle to the vet as soon as possible.

Make an appointment immediately if the ear canal is swollen and closed over or if there is an overwhelming smell coming from the ear. Both of these symptoms are characteristics of serious ear infections that will require immediate care.

Causes of Ear Infections in Goldendoodles

There are a variety of reasons why your dog may be suffering from a painful ear infection.

Let’s go through them.

Pollen

Pollen is just one of the reasons why dogs can get ear infections in the ear canal. The only problem is pollen is everywhere, on trees and flowers, making it difficult to recognize precisely what type affects a Goldendoodle.

There are tests a vet can run to uncover what specific allergen might be affecting your Goldendoodle’s ears, but they aren’t always 100% accurate.

Chemicals

Lots of ear infections come from the harsh chemicals and dyes that are used in human-grade soap and cleaning products.

Of you notice your dog scratching more after you have washed their toys or bedding, chemicals could be your answer. If you notice a rash or your dog is showing infection symptoms in or around the ear caused by your laundry detergent, you should switch to a new one, if possible, to keep your Goldendoodle healthy and happy.

Thankfully, most reactions to these chemicals are mild, but in the case of a more severe reaction, you should know the signs. Symptoms such as a swollen face or legs are cause for concern, and your dog should receive immediate medical assistance.

Food allergies

It’s a sad truth that many of the types of dog food available on today’s market are packed with artificial coloring and food dyes. These offer nothing in the way of genuine nutritional value and are sometimes responsible for causing allergic reactions in some dogs.

Some of the most common things that your Goldendoodle may be allergic to in food include:

• Artificial ingredients
• Food dyes
• Fillers
• Meat by Products
• Dairy
• Wheat
• Soy

When a dog has a reaction to something in its food, it most often shows symptoms such as a rash around the rectum and an ear infection.

If you believe that food could be a reason why your dog is displaying symptoms of either of these, speak to a vet and ask for recommendations for higher-quality dog food.

Bacteria or Fungus

Another common reason behind ear infections in dogs, particularly those with big, lovable, floppy ears, is bacteria or fungus.

A Goldendoodle’s ears make the perfect breeding ground for bacteria due to the warm environment, coupled with potentially lots of hair growing inside of them! When this bacteria gets into the inner ear canal, it will cause the external canal to become red, warm and painfully inflamed.

Due to their floppy ears, there’s a real chance of your Goldendoodle’s ears becoming a home to bacteria and yeast. Furthermore, those dogs that have lots of earwax or more hair than other Goldendoodles inside the ear will be at more risk. If your dog is an ardent swimmer, it may have a lot of moisture in its ears, leading to an overgrowth of bacteria.

When bacteria is the cause of an ear infection, you will usually smell a bad odor coming from your dog’s ear flap, sometimes accompanied by a dark-colored wax. Thankfully, with a course of antibiotics, the ear canal can be freed from the ear infection, and your dog’s ear will be back to normal usually within a week.

Ear Mites

Ear mites can often lead to a nasty ear infection in Goldendoodles. These mites can create havoc in the inner ear, leading to infection. Thankfully, this is not often seen in adult Goldendoodles. However, puppies are at risk.

If you believe that your pup has ear mites, the best course of action is to see a vet. The vet will be able to take a sample from your dog’s ear, and any mites present will be viewable under a microscope. Medication can quickly clear the dog’s ears up, and you should see a noticeable difference in your dog within a few days.

Preventing Dog Ear Infections

By not using harsh chemicals or sprays around the home, being careful what dog you purchase for your dog, and checking your dog’s ears regularly for foreign debris, you will do a lot to minimize the risk of your dog developing an ear infection.

How to clean a Goldendoodle’s ears

Cleaning your dog’s ears regularly is a great way to minimize infection and prevent a build-up of debris, which can help to help prevent ear infections.

Using a vet-approved dog ear cleaning solution, fill the ear canal and gently give pupper’s ear a massage for 30 seconds. You then should begin to hear the solution breaking up the obstruction as it makes a squishing sound.

The next step is to let your dog shake their head. Just make sure you have a towel handy to hide behind, as this part gets a bit messy! Once they have finished projecting the solution throughout the room, take a clean, dry cotton ball and lightly wipe it in the ear and the outer ear flaps.

Treating Goldendoodle Ear Infections

If you suspect your dog of having an ear infection, it’s important to take them to the vet for treatment. While you might be able to manage the infection at home, it’s not recommended, given that these infections can be extremely painful and may require antibiotics in order to heal.

FAQs

Are Goldendoodle ear infections dangerous?

If a near infection is allowed to progress for long enough, it can lead to hearing loss. In certain instances, there is a very real possibility that any infection left untreated can result in death. That’s why it is so vital to speak to a vet straight away. Don’t put it off and hope the ear infection will go away on its own – it’s not worth the risk to your dog’s health.

How should I deal with chronic ear infections in my Goldendoodle?

Any dog that suffers from a reoccurring ear infection should be seen by a vet to discuss what treatment options might be available. A vet will also be able to advise as to whether a change in diet could be required.

Is it possible for my Goldendoodle to pass on an ear infection to my other dogs?

Most ear infection symptoms are, thankfully, not able to be passed on to other dogs or humans. But, if a dog has mites, and this is the case for the infection, then it is possible for other dogs to develop an infection, also.

Can a Goldendoodle’s ears both become infected at the same time?

Yes, unfortunately, a double ear infection can afflict just about any dog, but those dogs with hairy ears are more prone to them. The symptoms of a double ear infection will be exactly the same; however, they are usually more severe and painful. The best course of action is to check in with your vet as soon as you can.

How often do Goldendoodles get ear infections?

Just about every dog will get an ear infection at least once in its life. However, if you notice your Goldendoodle’s ear becoming infected more than once a year, you should speak to your vet about any potential underlying causes.

 

Final Thoughts

If you notice any signs of an infection in your Goldendoodle’s ears, you should seek veterinary advice straight away. Anyone who has an ear infection will tell you those things really hurt.

Potentially, there’s room for a lot to go wrong if an ear infection is left untreated. Not only is it painful and, therefore, maltreatment to allow the infection to progress, but ignoring the issue could eventually lead to the development of hearing loss, or worse.

If you’re looking for more advice on keeping your pet healthy, check out our post on whether or not Goldendoodles have sensitive stomachs.