Why is my dog shaking head and itching ears with no infection?

This would be typical for an ear infection. I recommend you schedule a vet visit for Layla. This could be a bacterial, fungal or mite infection or caused by an allergy. Excessive head shaking can cause an othematome ( burst blood vessels in the ear flaps which then can cause crippling of the ear. So I would not wait long for an appointment with your veterinarian.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

I am sorry to hear about Kiba! Even if his ears appear normal when you are looking into them, without an otoscope you cannot tell if there is an infection or something like a foreign object inside the ear, as a dog's ear canal is curved and you can only visualise the vertical part of the canal if you do not have an otoscope. If he seems otherwise comfortable and is not traumatizing his ear, I would just monitor him closely until his appointment.

I am sorry to hear that! An ear infection- especially if the inside of the ear is red, irritated or malodorous is the most common cause of ear itching. Other things include ear mites, insect bite sensitivity, and allergies. If you are seeing a fluid filled lump, I would also be concerned for an ear hematoma (these are often secondary to infections so you could have both) or a cyst. You may want to visit the vet to see if they need to run more tests or to see if she needs medications. I hope this helps and Rayne feels better soon!

Hi there! I'm so sorry to hear about Marshall's ear trouble! Sometimes when a dog has an ear infection, it isn't noticeable from the outside. They can have a middle ear infection, and have very long, L-shaped ear canals. A veterinarian would need to look with an otoscope and check the entire ear canal for redness, swelling, and discharge (ear wax for example) that can indicate an infection. From there, they may recommend swabbing the ear to identify what is actually causing the infection - bacteria, yeast, or both for example. Then the vet will medicate the ear accordingly. In addition, in some states, like California, there are lots of foxtail weeds. The tips of the weeds can break off and get stuck on a dog's coat and migrate into the skin on their feet and body. They can also come off and get stuck in the throat, eyes, or ears. They usually will quickly travel deep into the ear canal and get lodged there. A veterinarian can look in with an otoscope and usually visualize the foxtail. Sometimes sedation is required to pull the foxtail out of the ear, depending on the dog's cooperation and how irritated the ear is. A lot of patients will come in to see me for the same signs you're describing. The dog is shaking and pawing at the ear, but the ear looks OK from the outside. I'll look in and find a foxtail very often when this is the case, especially this time of year. Foxtail season is in full effect! I would definitely take Marshall in to his veterinarian to have an examination. I hope you find my answer helpful. Best of luck!

Without actually looking into the ear with an otoscope it is not possible to tell you what the cause of this discharge is. It could be anything from an ear infection , to a ruptured abscess, to an ulcerated cancerous growth, to a ruptured ear drum. Please take Your dog to a vet , as the unsteadiness does point to some inner ear problem.

Poor Kodiak! It's possible that Kodiak could have an ear infection of the external, middle or inner ear, but other conditions such as neurologic problems (like focal seizures) or a brain tumor are also possible. The only way to get to the bottom of this issue is with a thorough physical exam and some diagnostic testing. Since it sounds as though he's uncomfortable and bothered by this issue, it would be best to have him checked out by his vet sooner rather than later. I hope that all goes well!