Hey, pet parents! Dr. B here from Pet Health. Welcome back to our September series dedicated to ear health. So far, we’ve discussed the various causes of ear infections in dogs, but today, we’re diving deeper into one of the primary culprits: food allergies. Allergic diseases, such as food hypersensitivities, can account for up to 43% of canine ear infection cases. Let’s explore how diet and food allergies can affect your dog’s ear health and what you can do about it.

Understanding Food Allergies in Pets

What Are Food Allergies?

Food allergies in dogs are more common than you might think. They are diagnosed in approximately 1-2% of all dogs seen by primary care veterinarians. The most common allergens are beef, chicken, lamb, and wheat proteins. The exact mechanism behind food allergies isn’t fully understood, but factors such as previous diet, genetics, concurrent health status, and immune function play a role.

Important Dr. B Point: Contrary to popular belief, food allergies take time to develop. Most dogs have been consuming the offending food for years without issues, so a sudden change in diet is usually not the trigger.

How Food Allergies Cause Ear Problems

Food allergies can cause inflammation inside the ear, leading to secondary ear infections. Unlike seasonal allergies, which flare up in spring and fall, food allergies cause year-round issues. Other signs include gastrointestinal problems like gas, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, and abdominal discomfort.

Important Dr. B Point: Your pet’s age can help identify food allergies. If a young pet under six months or an older pet over six years suddenly develops symptoms, food allergies might be the primary suspect.

Diagnosing Food Allergies

When pinpointing dog food allergies, there’s one gold-standard method: the elimination diet trial (EDT). This approach involves meticulously removing potential allergens from your dog’s diet and reintroducing them to see if symptoms reappear.

Important Dr. B Point: While it might be tempting to use over-the-counter tests like blood, saliva, or hair samples to diagnose food allergies, none of these methods have been proven effective. Save your money and focus on a technique that works: the elimination diet trial.

The Process of an Elimination Diet Trial

The elimination diet trial is the cornerstone of diagnosing food allergies. Here’s how it works:

1. Choosing the Right Diet:
   • You’ll start by feeding your dog a diet containing a novel or hydrolyzed protein source. Novel proteins, like white fish or duck, are those your dog hasn’t eaten before. Hydrolyzed proteins are broken down into small pieces your dog’s immune system shouldn’t react to.
   • Avoid over-the-counter diets during the elimination diet trial. These diets often contain unlabeled ingredients or contaminants that can complicate the diagnosis and interfere with the treatment. Stick with veterinary-approved diets for the best results.

1. Strict Adherence:
   • For the next 12 weeks, strictly adhering to this diet is crucial. This means no treats, flavored chew toys (stick to rubber or plastic), or chewable medications. Think of it as a dietary boot camp for your pup!
2. Monitoring Symptoms:
   • During this period, you should see an improvement in gastrointestinal symptoms, usually within two weeks. Skin symptoms often take a bit longer, with about 90% of dogs showing improvement within eight weeks. However, don’t be discouraged if it takes up to 13 weeks for complete improvement—every dog is different.

The final step in confirming a food allergy is diet provocation. This means reintroducing the old diet to see if symptoms return. If they do, it’s a clear sign that a food allergy is at play. However, if your dog is thriving on the new diet, we often opt to continue it, assuming an underlying food allergy exists.

Long-Term Prognosis:

The prognosis for dogs with food allergies is generally excellent, with ongoing, appropriate dietary restrictions. However, it’s important to recognize that dogs do not typically “grow out” of their food allergies.

Final Thoughts

Managing food allergies to improve your dog’s ear health requires dedication and consistency. By choosing the proper diet, closely monitoring your pet’s response, and addressing any additional factors that could contribute to ear infections, you can help your dog lead a healthier, happier life. Regular check-ups and open communication with your Pet Health vet are crucial to managing food allergies and ensuring your pet’s well-being.

Stay tuned for more tips and tricks in our ear health series. Until next time, happy pet parenting!

Hello, pet parents! Dr. B here from Pet Health, ready to dive into one of the most common (and often frustrating) medical conditions we see in our canine companions: ear infections. If your dog has ever had one, you know how uncomfortable and persistent they can be. This blog kicks off our September series on ear issues, starting with a deep dive into otitis externa—ear infections that affect the external ear canal. Let’s get started!

What is an Ear Infection?

An ear infection in dogs occurs when the ear canal becomes infected, typically due to bacteria or yeast getting trapped inside. This condition, known as otitis externa, involves acute or chronic inflammation of the external ear canal and is incredibly common among our pets. While all breeds can be affected, certain breeds are more susceptible due to their ear shape or other predispositions.

Symptoms of Ear Infections

Recognizing the signs of an ear infection early can help you get your pup the treatment they need faster. Here are some key symptoms to watch for:

• Behavioral Signs: Is your dog scratching their ears excessively, shaking their head, or appearing irritable?
• Physical Signs: Look for redness, swelling, a foul odor, or discharge from the ear. The ear surface may also appear swollen, crusted, ulcerated, or inflamed.
• Advanced Symptoms: In more severe cases, dogs might experience loss of balance, hearing loss, and pain when touching their ear.

Causes of Ear Infections in Dogs

Understanding what causes ear infections can help in both treatment and prevention. Here are some common culprits:

• Allergies: Hypersensitivities (like seasonal allergies or food hypersensitivity) are the most common causes of otitis externa, especially chronic cases. Allergic diseases account for up to 43% of canine cases.
• Foreign Bodies: Grass awns, hair, and wax plugs can all contribute to ear infections.
• Ear Mites: These parasites are more common in puppies and kittens but can occasionally affect adult dogs.
• Breed-Specific Traits: Dogs with long, floppy ears (like Basset Hounds) or those with narrow ear canals (like Shar Peis) are more prone to infections.
• Underlying Health Conditions: Disorders like hypothyroidism can predispose dogs to ear infections.
• Moisture: Increased humidity and swimming can lead to moisture buildup in the ears, creating a breeding ground for infections. Overzealous cleaning can strip the ear of natural oils and waxes, leading to inflammation.

Diagnosis and Treatment

If you suspect your dog has an ear infection, it’s time to visit us at Pet Health for a proper diagnosis. Here’s what you can expect:

• Ear Examination: We’ll start with an ear swab cytology to check for bacteria, yeast, or mites. An otoscopic exam will allow us to visualize the ear canal and eardrum, which is crucial for determining the proper treatment.
• Treatment Options: Our goal is to remove debris, relieve inflammation, and treat the infection. This might involve:
  • Cleaning: Removing excessive wax and debris to ensure medication can reach the ear canal. This may be done while your pet is awake or under sedation for a thorough cleaning.
  • Medications: A combination of antibiotics, antifungals, and steroids administered as ear drops or long-acting treatments placed in the ear. Severe cases might require oral medications.
  • Addressing the Root Cause: Identifying and treating underlying conditions, such as allergies or thyroid disorders, is crucial, especially for recurrent infections. This might involve laboratory testing or a food allergy trial.

Can Ear Infections be Prevented?

While not all ear infections can be prevented, regular inspection and maintenance can reduce the risk:

• Regular Checks: Look for changes in your dog’s ear color, condition, and temperature. Sniffing your dog’s ears might seem odd, but knowing what a healthy ear smells like can help you spot problems early.
• Swimming Precautions: Use a drying agent or trim the hair around your dog’s ear canal to prevent moisture buildup after swimming.
• Focused Care Plan: Work with your Pet Health veterinarian to develop a plan tailored to your dog’s specific needs to minimize ear infections and manage underlying causes.

Ear infections can be a pesky problem for our pets, but with the right knowledge and proactive care, you can help keep your dog’s ears healthy and infection-free. Stay tuned for more tips and insights in our ear health series this month. If you have any concerns or questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at Pet Health.