Otitis externa is one of the most common conditions in dogs. Chronic ear infections cause significant pain and welfare consequences that can be dramatically reduced with appropriate management.
Ear infections cause significant and often underappreciated pain. The inflammation, pressure, and infection within the ear canal creates intense discomfort that dogs communicate through scratching, head shaking, and behavioral changes. Chronic otitis that reaches the middle ear causes severe pain affecting balance and hearing. The progressive nature of untreated infections means welfare damage accumulates over time. Owners who manage chronic ear disease without veterinary guidance often treat symptoms without addressing underlying causes, trapping dogs in cycles of recurrent pain.