What causes pus to come out of a dog's ear?

When seeing a dog frequently shaking its head, scratching its ears with its claws, or even turbid pus flowing out of its ear canal, many pet owners will be in a knot. This situation not only makes the dog suffer unspeakable pain, but also affects the owner's anxious nerves. What exactly causes pus to come out of a dog's ear? Behind this are many details closely related to the daily care of the dog, which requires us to explore in depth.

The dog's ear structure is unique, with the vertical ear canal and the horizontal ear canal forming a nearly right-angle bend. This structure is like a natural "safe haven", but it is also easy to hide dirt. Under normal circumstances, there is a balanced microbial community in the dog's ear canal, and the cerumen (earwax) secreted by the ear canal skin can play a protective role and block dust and foreign objects from entering. But when this delicate balance is broken, troubles ensue.

The most common cause of pus in a dog's ear is infection. Bacteria, fungi and parasites are the "culprits" of ear canal infections. Ear mites, a parasite that is almost invisible to the naked eye, like to parasitize and reproduce in the warm and humid ear canal. They crawl and bite in the ear canal, causing severe itching. The dog's constant scratching causes the ear canal skin to be damaged, which in turn causes bacterial infection and pus. Close contact between dogs or contact with polluted environments may give ear mites an opportunity to take advantage. Fungal otitis is also a common disease. Malassezia especially prefers the dog's oil-rich ear canal. When the dog's immunity decreases or the ear canal environment becomes humid and stuffy, Malassezia will multiply in large numbers, causing the ear canal to produce brown or black secretions, and suppuration may occur in severe cases. Bacterial infections are often secondary to other ear canal problems. Bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli take advantage of the opportunity to enter, further aggravating the inflammation, and turning the originally mild problem into a serious condition of pus.

Allergies are also a factor that cannot be ignored. Food allergies and environmental allergies may affect the dog's ears. When dogs ingest intolerant foods, such as certain meats and grains, or come into contact with allergens such as pollen, dust mites, and mold, the body's immune system will activate a "defense mechanism" to release substances such as histamine, causing swelling and exudation of the ear canal mucosa, creating conditions for the growth of bacteria and fungi, and eventually causing suppurative inflammation. Seeing the dog in pain due to allergies, the owner is often distressed, but does not know what to do.

In addition to infection and allergies, trauma to the dog's ears may also cause pus. Scratches from sharp objects, damage caused by excessive cleaning, and even accidentally pouring a lot of water into the ear canal during bathing can damage the defense barrier of the ear canal. Some owners, out of their emphasis on dog cleanliness, frequently use cotton swabs and other tools to clean the dog's ear canal, but they do not know that such behavior may damage the ear canal skin, destroy the normal earwax protection mechanism, and make it easier for harmful microorganisms to invade.

Daily care is essential to avoid pus discharge in the dog's ears. Regularly checking the dog's ears is the first step to prevent problems. The owner can gently open the dog's ear auricle every week to observe whether there is redness, swelling, odor, or abnormal secretions in the ear canal. A normal ear canal should be clean, light pink, and have no unpleasant odor. If you find a small amount of dry earwax in the ear canal, this is normal and you don't need to be too nervous. But if you see that the earwax is brown, black, or has a noticeable dampness, you need to be vigilant.

Cleaning the ears is a key part of daily care, but you must master the correct method. Choose a pet-specific ear canal cleaning solution, drop an appropriate amount of cleaning solution into the dog's ear canal, gently massage the ear root for a while, and then let the dog shake its head to shake out the dirt in the ear canal. Never use a cotton swab to go deep into the ear canal to avoid damaging the ear canal or pushing the earwax deeper. When bathing, use a cotton ball to gently block the dog's external ear canal to prevent water from entering. After bathing, wipe the hair around the ears with a clean towel in time.

Keeping the dog's living environment clean should not be ignored. Clean the dog's nest pads and toys regularly to avoid dust and mites. For dogs prone to allergies, try to avoid contact with known allergens, reduce going out during the pollen season, and keep the room clean and ventilated. At the same time, a reasonable diet can also enhance the dog's immunity. Choose nutritionally balanced and high-quality dog ​​food, and avoid feeding dogs with foods that are prone to allergies.

When you find that your dog's ears are oozing pus, never use medication on your own. The treatment of each disease requires professional diagnosis and targeted medication. Take the dog to the pet hospital in time, determine the type of infection through professional means such as ear canal secretion examination, and then conduct standardized treatment under the guidance of a veterinarian. During the treatment, the owner must cooperate patiently, give the dog medication on time, and check regularly until the dog's ears are fully restored to health.

Dogs are the most loyal companions in our lives. They will not express pain in words, but can only transmit signals through behavior and physical changes. Ear pus is not only a manifestation of physical illness, but also a distress signal sent by the dog to the owner. As an owner, we must carefully observe every subtle change of the dog, and protect their health with scientific care and full love.