Dog Ear Problems plus Twitching

by Lisa
(Gulfport, MS)

I have a mixed dachshund and chihuahua. he has been shaking his head and scratching his ear. The wierd part is that when he is panting hard, his heart starts racing and his body starts to twitch. His ear feels very wet inside. He trisd to bite me when I touched his ear.

Editor Suggestions to Help with a Dog Ear Problem

Dear Lisa,

Thank you for your question and sorry to hear about the dog ear problems and other related issues.

Dog Ear problems such as parasitic, fungal or bacterial infections are usually represented by symptoms such as excessive dog head shaking, scratching, inflammatory signs (in outer & inner ear canal) and ear discharge. Such problems are considered relatively mild, but, signs of panting, body twitching and behavioral changes are more complicated symptoms.

Though we are unable to diagnose the condition as a confirmed case of any ear canal/gland tumor without examining your dog in person, the symptoms you describe such as signs of behavioral change, body twitching along with typical symptoms of infection, indicate a dog ear tumor as a possible condition/cause.

It is recommended that you take your dog for a detailed clinical examination and laboratory tests to confirm this condition. Though, dog ear tumors usually do not spreads up to the brain, they do cause symptoms such as dog body twitching, ataxia (issues with muscular coordination), respiratory and circulatory problems.

Since the immunity of an affected pet becomes weakened, secondary infections are more likely to be exhibited.

It's better to go for a biopsy and other routine diagnostic tests to eliminate the possibility of dog ear tumors being the cause. Remember we can't confirm the condition here, so it's better to eliminate the possibility that this is the cause, and to determine a treatment approach that can help to reduce your dog's misery in the future.

For the time being, while your pet is being diagnosed, you can use a combination of natural remedies to reduce the severity of dog ear symptoms. They will help to make your dog comfortable.

You should bathe your dog with quality shampoo, containing aloe vera and tree oil such as Perfect Coat Gentle Hypoallergenic Shampoo. Clean the ears thoroughly with an ear wash solution such as Nutri-Vet Ear Cleanse. Also use a natural ear health remedy such as Ear Dr. to reduce the chance of infection and progressive symptoms.

Additionally, to enhance immunity and skin health, consider using a natural tonic such as Skin and Coat Tonic.

For your safety (to avoid any dog bites during treatment), use a mesh muzzle such as the Top Paw Mesh Muzzle to control your dog while bathing and administering any medicine/remedy.