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Food & Diet

Why is My Dog Bleeding from Ear? Causes and Treatment

At A Glance

Ear bleeding in dogs is not very common. While it raises several concerns as a pet owner, it is good to understand the causes of ear-bleeding in dogs.

Let us look into the issue in depth.

Last Updated on: May 11, 2022

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Your dog bleeding from ear could raise huge concerns as a pet owner. Your dog’s ear may be bleeding due to various issues. Read this article to learn more about the causes and treatment of bleeding ears in dogs.

Symptoms

dog lying on the couch
Here are some of the signs you will notice if your dog’s ears are bleeding. These signs can vary from one dog to another, depending on the cause of the bleeding.

  • Blood around the ear canal or outside
  • Odors are coming from your dog’s ears.
  • Swellings around your dog’s ears.
  • If your dog shrugs when you try to touch his ears
  • Tender ears
  • If your dog is having trouble balancing his body
  • Poor feeding
  • If your dog scratches uncontrollably
  • If your dog pays unusual attention to his ears
  • Discolored ear wax

Causes

If your dog is bleeding from its ears it can vary from being severe to not too severe. The amount of blood flow determines the severity. We can attribute several reasons as to why your dog’s ears bleed, from infections to injuries.

Here are some listed below:

Ear Infections

Ear infections include bacterial and fungal infections. The buildup of bacteria, fungus, yeast, and allergic reactions contribute to heavy bleeding, usually deep within the ear.

Your pet will scratch its ears and shake its head a lot if this is the case.

Don’t, for any reason, poke its nose to access the bleeding, as this could affect the blood vessels. Instead, contact your vet at the earliest.

Trauma

dog sitting
Trauma is one of the leading causes of bleeding ears. Traumatic injuries should not scare you as much because they are not life-threatening, but they must be checked by your vet.

Ear bleeds from traumatic injuries tend to be closer to the skin’s surface rather than deep inside the ear.

If your dog has a traumatic injury that results in its ears bleeding, you don’t need to be too alarmed because traumatic injuries are manageable.

Cancerous Ear Bleeds

If you’ve noticed moles around your dog’s ears, they could be cancerous. You need to make sure your dog is tested immediately in such cases. However, the chances of your dog bleeding from cancerous cells are very slim.

Not every mole or bump is cancerous, for example, a wart could look like a cancerous bump at times. However, you need to take your pet to the vet and have it tested if you notice any abnormalities around its ears.

Parasitic Ear Bleeds

Many different kinds of parasites could infest your dog’s ears. After latching on to your dog’s skin, parasites can cause considerable irritation. The ear mite is the most common type of parasite present in dogs.

Parasites infecting your dog’s ears is not a severe problem. The feeling, however, can be both irritating and uncomfortable.

The ear-bleeding could be a result of too much scratching and shaking because of the irritating presence of the parasites.

Treatments

dog at the vet's
While you cannot do much about internal bleeding, you can, however, help your pet in the case of external bleeding.

Home Treatment

Before taking your dog to a vet, apply home-based treatments to alleviate ear bleeding.

Applying pressure to your dog’s ears using a small face towel or cotton pads, is advisable.

Bandage the towel around your dog’s ears until you get to your vet.

It’s important to go see the vet immediately after you first notice the bleeding.

Professional Treatment

After conducting a complete examination and establishing the root cause of the bleeding, your vet will advise you on the course of treatment. It could be medication or hygiene measures.

  • In the case of parasitic infections and bacteria, your vet will remove them.
  • If the cause of your pet’s bleeding is not so severe or probably caused by rough play, the vet will prescribe medication to ease the pain.
  • In case of infections and cancerous tissues, surgery may be required. After surgery, your dog’s ear should heal in time.

 

sick dog

The sight of your dog bleeding from ear could raise concerns. If you take immediate action once you spot your dog’s ear bleeding, it should heal in no time. Try to calm your pet and then administer first aid, after which you need to rush your pet to the vet immediately.

Your vet might require you to change your dog’s lifestyle and environment in some cases. While it can be overwhelming to deal with at times, you must remember that your dog’s health is more important.

 

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Meet Paul, a devoted dog dad to the delightful French Bulldog, Cofi. With a flair for humor and a deep understanding of Frenchie quirks, Paul brings a lighthearted touch to his writings. His relatable stories and practical insights are a blend of laughter and valuable advice and resonate with fellow dog owners.


Through his words, Paul aims to celebrate the joys and challenges of being a dedicated pet parent, reminding you that life is simply better with a four-legged, snorting sidekick by your side.