Companion Animal Welfare

Dog Recurrent Ear Disease Welfare

Chronic and recurrent otitis externa causes significant ongoing pain in affected dogs; identifying and managing the underlying cause is essential to long-term welfare.

Key Facts

Otitis externa affects approximately 20% of dogs in the UK
Predisposing factors include floppy ears, narrow ear canals, and underlying allergies
Recurrent infections are almost always secondary to a primary cause such as atopic dermatitis
Chronic otitis causes pain, head shaking, and reduced quality of life
Referral to a veterinary dermatologist for chronic cases significantly improves outcomes

Welfare Considerations

Recurrent ear disease causes chronic, intermittent pain that is often undertreated; identifying and managing the primary cause rather than repeatedly treating infections is the key to welfare improvement.

What You Can Do

Work with a vet to identify underlying causes of recurrent ear infections in your dog
Consider referral to a veterinary dermatologist for chronic or recurrent otitis
Choose dog breeds without predisposing ear anatomy if possible