Veterinary. You would do anything to eliminate the problem. The best thing is to know the causes of otitis in the dog: at that point the solution is easier to find.
The conformation. All dogs can suffer from ear infections. However, there are some breeds that are more prone to this kind of problem. It is especially the long and drooping ears that represent a difficulty. There is no springer spaniel or cocker who does not know otitis and the cause lies in the conformation of its auricle. The long and drooping ear allows the creation of a perfect habitat for fungi and bacteria: the temperature rises, the humidity is not lacking and that's it. If you have a dog with rather drooping and covering ears, consider the problem and never underestimate the situation. Neglected or poorly treated otitis is likely to become chronic. At that point the situation becomes really heavy to bear.
Otodectes cynotis and other parasites. They are perhaps one of the most common reasons that cause ear infections. Otodectes cynotis is the most common and best known: it is a mite that closely resembles the one that causes mange. It is no coincidence that otitis, when parasitic is called ear mange. The disease occurs frequently in puppies, characterized by abundant production of dark ear wax. As soon as the first symptoms appear, it is good to go to the vet.
Allergies. Ear infections can also be a symptom of allergies. In this case the dog may itch, shake his head nervously, show lesions in the auricle, but also generalized redness. In an advanced stage, inflammation can also become complicated due to the presence of bacteria or yeasts which multiply easily under such conditions. The problem, when otitis arises from allergic causes, affects both ears, but it is not uncommon for one part to be more sensitive than the other. It is not uncommon for the allergy to be of food origin. In that case it occurs in puppies or older specimens and is associated with skin problems of various kinds. Rather than focusing on allergic tests, which do not always give certainty, the advice is to impose a specific diet on the animal. This will make it easy to understand if it was actually an allergy that caused the otitis. If the diet gives a positive result, with the disappearance of malaise and otitis, it is good to slowly reintroduce all foods to finally exclude the offender. Obviously, everything must take place under the supervision of the reference veterinarian.
Ears and foreign bodies. Here is another cause of ear infections that any dog owner is familiar with. Any foreign body, be it forasacchi, earwax plugs, old medicaments, everything can cause the onset of otitis. Cleaning the ear, it is not said by chance, is essential.
Autoimmune diseases. Sometimes it happens that crusty lesions appear on the pavilion that just cannot heal, despite the use of antibiotics. In that case, the possibility of autoimmune disease may be considered. The best known are lupus erythematosus and leaf pemphigus. The only really effective cure in this case is the use of cortisone.
Hormonal disorders and neoplasms. Hypothyroidism, feminization syndrome in males, sertolioma are all situations that can cause ear ear infections. Benign tumors (more rarely malignant) can also cause the ear canal to close. In fact, polyps prevent the regular outflow of ear secretions and any stagnation can cause ear infections.
All of these are the most common causes that can cause otitis in dogs. Knowing them is important to solve the problem quickly and in the best ways.