Dogs suffering from an aural yeast infectionusually have a pasty, brownish-colored ear wax with a strong odor. Fungal infection can also be a secondary infection after another cause of otitis. The factors that usually trigger the overgrowth include allergies, antibiotic treatments, prolonged stress and any reason for immunosuppression. Various factors can instigate an overproliferation of this fungus.
Black impacted ear wax skin#
This yeast is naturally present on the skin of dogs without causing any problems, but sometimes proliferates uncontrollably, giving rise to otitis. This is most commonly caused by fungal yeast such as the species most commonly associated with canine otitis, Malassezia pachydermatis. Learn more about ear inflammation with our article on external otitis in dogs.Īnother pathogen that can trigger the appearance of black cerumen in the ears of dogs is fungal otitis. These include fipronil for dogs in the form of ear drops or a systemic/topical treatment in the form of a drugs such as selamectin. Antiparasitic treatment: the veterinarian will determine which antiparasitic drug is required to kill the specific mite.It is necessary to wash with specific cleaning products for dogs that must always be prescribed by a veterinarian. In addition to cleaning the inside of the pinna, we must also clean the external ear canal to ensure the drug treatment penetrates properly for efficacy. Cleaning the external ear: the inside of the ear pinna can be cleaned with a gauze soaked in saline or chlorhexidine (always diluted to 40%).The treatment of mite otitis in dogs requires: If they are unsure, they may take a sample of the black ear wax and observe it under a microscope to identify the species of mite. They will examine the ear canal with an otoscope to visualize the mites. This is due to blood, dirt, discharge and the mites themselves.Įar mites are external parasites in dogs that are usually relatively easy to diagnose, but this must be carried out by a veterinarian. Another characteristic symptom of an ear mite infestation is the presence of blackish cerumen which has the appearance of coffee grounds. This leads to the dog compulsively scratching their ears, shaking their head and rubbing themselves against surfaces to try to relieve the frustration they cause. These include mites from the following genera:ĭogs suffering from this type of otitis usually develop intense itching in their ears. The mite that causes these processes is often one that belongs to the genus Otodectes cynotis, although there are other species that can also cause otitis in dogs. Otitis is not a cause of black ear wax in dogs, but a general term for inflammation or infection which may have concurrent black ear wax. There are various species of mites capable of parasitizing the external auditory canal of dogs and resulting in otitis. Mites are microscopic arthropods that often cause skin problems in our animals. We look at these issues in more detail below. There are various reasons a dog's ear wax can appear black. Black: can be very dark ear wax due to dirt, but may also be indicative of a pathological issue.Gray: likely indicates the presence of dirt.Brown: may be a sign of old blood, although healthy ear wax can have a brown tone.Red: indicates the presence of blood with fresh blood being brighter red and becoming darker as it ages.Green: indicates the presence of purulent discharge and possible infection.Dark yellow: older ear wax, usually mixed with other substances.Light yellow: fresh ear wax which is oily and light.However, we can use ear wax color to determine the general state of the ear: It is not possible to tell the dog's ear issue from color alone. These color changes are often due to environmental issues, but the problem can be pathological.
As it ages and mixes with other substances, it becomes both darker and drier.
Initially, cerumen is a light-colored substance which is oily in consistency. The substances which mix with the ear wax cause its color to change. These substances include sebum from the sebaceous glands, dirt, skin cells and other detritus either from the ear itself or the environment. However, once it is secreted, it will start to change due to the presence of other substances which are found in the dog's ear canal. It is a protective agent which is secreted by ceruminous glands which produce the initial oily substance. Ear wax is a substance known medically as cerumen.
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