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Beagles are one of America’s favorite dog breeds, and with good reason. Their loyal and sweet nature make them a natural fit for family life. And who can resist those sweet floppy ears? Unfortunately, those ears can get infected, causing painful problems for the beagle and time and expense for their family. For various reasons, beagles are prone to ear infections. So, it’s important to know as much as you can about them, including what to look for and how to treat them when it does happen. Read on for more about ear infections in beagles - the why, what, and how behind them, as well as what you can do to make your beagle's life a little easier. Why Do Beagles Get Ear Infections More Than Other Dogs? The American Kennel Club estimates that more than twenty percent of dogs will get an ear infection at some point in their lives. For some of these dogs, that will be multiple infections - for other lucky ones, it might only happen once. Unfortunately, beagles belong to a group of dogs that are more prone to ear infections than other breeds. There are two main reasons for this: the shape of their ears, and their tendency to have allergies and skin irritations. Beagles are hounds, and like many others in this group of dogs, they have large floppy ears. These are great for holding in scents, which helps them track game. Unfortunately, these floppy ears can also attract other things that invite infection. Floppy ears retain more moisture, which makes them an attractive environment for harmful bacteria. There’s more surface area on your dog’s large ears, which can make it more difficult for both them - and you - to keep them nice and clean. Additionally beagles on the whole, like most scent hounds, are prone to allergies and hypersensitivities. These can lead to ear congestion, which is a major contributing factor to many ear infections. It’s also important to look at your dog’s lifestyle. Since beagles are known for loving the outdoors and are often kept as sporting dogs, they may also have more exposure to bacteria-rich environments, as well as potential exposure to problem pests, such as ear mites and fleas. This is especially true because beagles love to dig around in dirt, which can expose them to all sorts of bacteria in certain areas. How to Tell if Your Beagle Has An Ear Infection It’s hard to see our furry friends in pain. However, sometimes the hardest part of all is that we can’t always tell that they are suffering, or understand what the cause is or how we can help. That’s why it’s important to be aware of the signs of an ear infection in your beagle, so that you can keep an eye out for them. Every beagle is different, and while some are quite stoic and won’t make much of a fuss when they aren’t feeling well, others are very dramatic and will make a big show of telling you. It’s important to know your dog’s average temperament, so you can tell when something isn’t right with them. Ear infections are not one problem but three different kinds of infections that can affect different parts of the ear. There is otitis externa, media and internal. Externa, is - as it sounds- an infection of the outermost part of the ear, rather than its internal structure. This is actually more of a skin problem, whereas the other types affect the actual organs of hearing and can cause problems such as swelling, dizziness, and other systemic symptoms. One of the most overt signs of an ear infection is a buildup of dark colored substance in and around your dog’s ears. This discharge will often be black or very dark brown in color and may be accompanied by a foul smell. Generally, this tends to be the result of a bacterial infection, or is evidence of ear mites - both things you don't want for your beagle! Some dogs will also have signs of skin irritation along with this buildup. This can be caused by the infection itself but can also come about as a result of the dog scratching. When the itching is internal, they cannot reach it and it can really be maddening! Another sign of ear infection is itchy ears. This can be a symptom of both internal and external ear infections in beagles. If your dog is excessively itching his ears, biting at them or rubbing them on things, you will want to check them out for signs of irritation, redness, or infection. You may also notice your dog shaking their head around, as if they are trying to get something out of their ear. While most forms of ear infections are often attributed to the inner parts of the ear, the outer parts of the skin that face the world can be exposed to different types of infections as well. Often it's more of a dermatological problem, but floppy ears can get crusty and even start to scab. This usually indicates a skin condition or reaction similar to that of a rash, but it can be indicative of more serious problems such as scabies or ear edge dermatitis. Ear infections can be quite painful and again, not all dogs will express to you when they are in pain. However, if your dog is being whiny and vocal or extra needy and shows any of these other signs of a possible ear infection, you will want to get them checked out by a vet. What Causes Ear Infections In Beagles Sadly, many ear infections are unavoidable. Your beagle can get an infection for a wide variety of reasons. Sometimes it’s just bad luck - the result of congestion that develops into infection. However, most of the time, infections have obvious causes, such as: Ear mites These tiny bugs live in the outer and inner ear canal of your dog and can wreak real havoc there! They cause itching, which can also lead your dog to scratch themself aggressively and create sores that are prone to further infection. As extremely contagious bugs, they are barely visible to the naked eye, and will often look like a white speck moving against a dark background. Ear mites don't only live in ears, and often are transmitted from pet to pet via the surface of the skin. The only way to really fight against ear mites is with proper medication. Your vet should be able to help find you one of many insecticidal products that are safe for your dog. The medication cannot directly kill the eggs or pupae, but rather it is used to kill the adult and early formations of larva, which is why most prescriptions tend to last for several weeks to ensure that no new mites are being born. When my beagle Maple first had ear mites as a puppy, it took about six weeks with consistent trips to the vet to fully flush them out, but now her ears are clean and have stayed clean! Bacteria from moisture As we discussed earlier, floppy ears are a haven for bacteria growth. It’s easy for moisture to get trapped inside, creating the perfect environment for germs. You can think of this type of external ear infection as what we call “swimmer’s ear” in humans, as it has similar causes and symptoms. Injuries Injuries to the external ear, such as scratches and cuts can become infected, introducing bacteria. That infection can then affect not only the outer ear but sometimes lead to inner ear infections as well. This is why it is important to clean any cuts or skin injuries on your dog as soon as they happen to avoid future problems. This can be tough if your beagle isn't a vocal one. A lot of beagles will bark or howl to let you know that they are in pain, but it isn't always the case. And often, beagles will scratch themselves if their nails are too sharp. That's why it's important to always inspect your beagle's ears at least once a week to make sure there aren't any signs of injury that you may not know about. Excess Wax Wax buildup inside of the ear provides another means of trapping moisture and bacteria. Additionally, wax buildup can disrupt the natural drainage from the ear, which can lead to inner ear infections. Inner ear infections from excess wax will likely result in discharge, and can have some pretty noticeable symptoms like dogs walking in circles or becoming nauseas. Most treatments for inner ear infections like the ones caused by wax will require flushes by your vet, and likely antibiotics. In extreme cases, surgery is required, so be sure to visit your vet at the first sign of any ear problems! Allergies If your beagle suffers from allergies, they are also more likely to get an ear infection. This is because allergies not only affect the skin but can also cause congestion. This congestion in the head and ears can lead to internal infections. Treating the source of the allergy can often prevent this from happening. Common dog allergies mostly stem from food or the environment. Some common allergies that beagles get include: Food (grain, certain types of meats) Certain cleaning products (laundry detergent or fabric softeners) Dust Grass The elimination method is the best way to figure out what exactly is causing your beagle's allergic reactions. You should first consult with your vet to set up a proper strategy. How to Cure Ear Infections in Beagles There is no one catch all solution for getting rid of ear infections in beagles, as it depends largely upon the cause of the infection, which could be many different things. Therefore, your first order of business should be to work with your vet to determine the cause of the infection, so that it can be effectively treated. Some inner ear infections that are caused by bacteria will require a course of antibiotics but many are manageable with topical treatments or at-home care, as instructed by your vet. Antibiotics attack bacteria, which are the root cause of the infection. If you follow the directions for administering antibiotics, you will probably notice your dog getting some relief within a matter of just a few days. Although not all ear infections can be prevented, there are steps that you can take to help keep your beagle’s ears clean and healthy, making them less likely to get infections. First off, regularly clean and dry your beagle’s ears. You should not enter the ear canal, however, you can clean the area all around it. This is particularly important after your dog has been outside. And drying is just as essential! Dry the inside of your dog’s ears after she has been in any water, particularly outdoors. I strive to make cleaning my dogs ears a part of their regular grooming routine. You should also treat any cuts or scratches by cleaning the area with soap and water and drying. Your vet may also prescribe or recommend a topical ointment to prevent infection. If your dog has allergies, it’s important to follow any prescribed treatments for keeping them under control to prevent congestion and skin irritation, which will - in turn - help decrease the possibility of developing ear infections. What About When Antibiotics and Ear Cleanings Aren't Fixing My Beagle's Ears? Even after taking the right preventative and reactive measures, some poor beagles are still left with chronic ear problems that can be extremely difficult for owners. There are a few reasons that you and your vet may have overlooked (because they are on the rarer side), these include: Cushing's Disease While Cushing's Disease doesn't inherently affect the ears, it does cause dogs to develop symptoms such as thin skin, skin mineralization (calcinosis cutis), and chronic skin infections (pyoderma). These chronic skin problems can take place on and in the ears, which can lead to a variety of uncomfortable ear problems that can't be solved by the measures listed above. If you suspect that your dog could have Cushing's Disease, they'll likely need bloodwork done, as the primary symptoms affect the adrenal glands and have a variety of hormonal effects on the body. Foreign material is lodged Sometimes infections can keep recurring because a foreign body could be lodged way deep into the dog's ear canal. While rare, it can be a little more common for dogs like beagles that frequently dig holes and burrow wherever they can. If you're running out of ways to try and effectively combat frequent ear infections, you may have to ask your vet to take a deeper look to see if it's something foreign causing this issue. Thyroid Disease Dogs that suffer from Thyroid Disease, or hypothyroidism often experience ear infections and show ear pain, redness, and odor. This is because the most common symptom of hypothyroidism is thinning of the fur, which can lead to skin issues that effect the sensitive parts of the body like the ears. Generally this is a little more rare to be seen in beagles, as it tends to affect much larger dogs like golden retrievers and Irish setters, but I'd say don't rule it out entirely. It requires blood tests to confirm a suspected diagnosis of hypothyroidism, so you'll want to let your vet know if your dog is having skin issues anywhere beyond just their ears. Seborrhea and other skin disorders Seborrhea or seborrheic dermatitis is a skin disorder where the sebaceous glands of the skin produce an excess amount of sebum, which results in red, flaky, and itchy skin. It's a common issue for dogs with floppy ears, as it typically effects the face, bake, and wherever there are folds in the skin. Because beagles have particularly loose skin, their cases of seborrhea could be worse than other dog breeds. Polyps or tumors in the ear Like humans, dogs can develop tumors or polyps anywhere in their body, including the ear canal. Most types of ear polyps are of one of two kinds: Ceruminous gland adenomas (ones that come from the wax-producing glands in the ear) and squamous cell carcinomas (these are generally more cancerous, and can cause more structural damage to the ears). While they differ in severity, both can cause infection because blockages and disruptions that they can cause within the ear canal. Final Thoughts Keeping your beagle healthy and happy is a large part of your responsibility as a pet owner. And while all ear infections cannot be prevented, there is a lot that you can do to both lower the risk and to keep your beagle as comfortable as possible, should they get an infection. Because beagles are more prone to getting these kinds of infections, it’s up to you to monitor your dog for any concerning symptoms. The number one most important partner in your beagle’s health is your vet and if you have concerns about ear infections, they can help you figure out the best course of action.