Does This Sound Like an Ear Infection?

[vandynole]

My 10-month-old dog has been shaking his ears a lot lately. I took a look inside them and didn't see any gunk. They're not bright pink or inflamed. They don't smell any worse than I would expect the inside of a dog's ear to smell. Slightly musty, perhaps, but not bad at all. He's part Basset, although his ears are not as long.

He doesn't exhibit any other symptoms ... just shaking his ears. He doesn't rub them against the ground, wince, etc.

Are there other possible problems outside of an infection? I thought infections typically created a residue inside the ear. Please help ... thanks!

 

[Sadie'smama]

I haven't had this problem before, I guess it could be?? Could it be that he has gotten water in his ears and that's making him shake his head? If he continues, I would play it safe and take him to the vet.

 

[MomOf7]

I would say take him in. Theres definatly a problem. Cant say for sure whether its an infection or not.

 

[Bobsk8]

Might be a yeast infection. The vet can tell.

 

[lpollockandrsn]

Could be a foreign body. There are a lot of foxtails and the like this time of year in a lot of areas. It is about 3 inches down a 'J' shaped canal before the dogs ear drum, there could easily be something beyond where you can see that hasn't actually caused and infection yet. It could do damage on it's own though. I would say he should be looked at.

 

[elegy]

i'd definitely take him in to the vet. maybe he's got an infection down deep in the ear canal. maybe he's got a foreign body. frequent head shaking can lead to bigger problems like hematomas so it's something that really needs to be taken care of.