Ruptured eardrums in dogs: How to recognize them and what to do next

Your dog’s keen sense of hearing Trusted Source American Kennel Club (AKC) Registry of purebred dog pedigrees. Go to source enables them to detect a squirrel scurrying on leaves and the sound of your jangling keys as you come home. While many dogs live good lives despite being deaf or hard of hearing, this sense does give them a higher quality of life. A ruptured eardrum needs prompt veterinary treatment so that it can heal, giving your dog a better chance at complete recovery.

A dog’s ear has three sections Trusted Source The Merck Veterinary Manual Trusted provider of veterinary medicine. Go to source : the outer or external ear, the middle ear, and the inner ear. The outer ear consists of the pinna, or ear flap, and the ear canal. The pinna is shaped to capture and funnel sound waves through the ear canal to the eardrum.

The eardrum, or tympanic membrane, is a thin sheet that separates a dog’s outer ear canal from the middle and inner ear. Stretched tight like a drum, the eardrum vibrates when sound hits it. These vibrations move the tiny bones of the middle ear, which send vibrations to the inner ear. From the inner ear, the sounds travel to the brain for identification.

Without a fully intact and functioning eardrum, your dog’s middle and inner ears are susceptible to ear inflammation and infections. And, if your pup’s eardrum ruptures, they can even lose their hearing entirely.

If your dog has a ruptured eardrum, you’ll likely know that something is wrong with their ears. Signs can include the following:

• Pain. Most dogs love a good ear rub, but if your dog whimpers, yelps, or even snaps when you reach for their ear, they may have a painful ruptured eardrum, a severe ear infection, or both.
• Inflammation of the ear canal. Ear infections accompanying a ruptured eardrum typically cause the pinna and ear canal to become red and irritated. Inflammation and infection of the middle ear are also known as otitis media. This type of infection is especially likely to occur without treatment if the eardrum is punctured since bacteria can easily get into the middle ear.
• Odor. If your four-legged friend has stinky ears, it could be a sign of a yeast infection, which may contribute to an eventual ruptured eardrum.
• Loss of hearing. If you have a senior dog, it can sometimes be tough to tell if they have age-related hearing loss, or if they truly can’t hear due to a ruptured eardrum. But, if they suddenly aren’t listening to normal commands, responding to your calls, or running at the sound of the treat container rattling, they’ve likely lost some of all of their hearing.
• Ear discharge. Discharge coming from the affected ear is often thick and pus-like, and may even be bloody. Flip your dog’s ears up regularly to check for signs of infection and discharge.
• Nystagmus. This neurological condition occurs when a dog/s eyes flicker back and forth quickly. It can be a sign of an inner ear infection caused by a ruptured eardrum.
• Stumbling. Incoordination and stumbling while walking can occur if your pup’s balance is affected by an ear infection.
• Head tilt. If your dog has an inner ear infection, their head may tilt to the same side as the affected ear.
• Drooping face. In some cases, facial paralysis can occur, causing one side of the face and mouth to droop. The inability to blink may also occur, or complete closure of the eyelid.

A ruptured eardrum can be incredibly painful for your pooch, so seek veterinary help at the first sign of a possible ear infection.

Your dog’s eardrum can potentially rupture for a variety of reasons, and helping to understand the cause can better inform your treatment options. Common causes of canine eardrum ruptures include:

• Ear infections. Chronic ear infections that produce long-term inflammation — such as those seen with allergies — can cause the eardrum to rupture. Once ruptured, bacteria and yeast from the outer ear can enter the middle and inner ear, causing a more serious infection. Ear infections are the most common cause of a ruptured eardrum.
• Changes in atmospheric pressure. Sudden and severe changes in air pressure — as seen with flying in airplanes — can cause an eardrum rupture in dogs.
• Loud noises. While a loud noise at a distance won’t be a problem, close exposure to an extremely loud noise such as fireworks or a gunshot can cause a ruptured eardrum.
• Physical trauma. A traumatic injury, such as being struck by a car, can produce such a forceful impact that it ruptures your dog’s eardrum.
• Polyps or masses. Ear polyps or masses can press against your dog’s eardrum as they grow larger and cause it to tear.
• Eardrum damage from a foreign body in the ear. Since a dog’s ear canal is L-shaped instead of straight like ours, it’s not as easy for an object to puncture the eardrum. Still, you should exercise caution when cleaning your dog’s ears. Don’t use Q-tips, and never push anything into their ear canal.

Not every cause of a ruptured eardrum is preventable. However, routinely cleaning your pet’s ears and shielding them from loud noises can help keep them safe.

If your dog is showing any signs that indicate their eardrum has ruptured, you need to take them to the veterinarian immediately. This is especially important if your dog may be suffering from an ear infection, which can cause permanent damage. Your dog will need medication if an ear infection is present.

Different ear medications are available to treat the various types of bacterial and yeast infections. However, certain ear medications are dangerous if the eardrum is ruptured, so don’t start applying a medication you may have at home without a veterinary appointment.

Sometimes a ruptured eardrum can be diagnosed during a routine physical exam. However, if there’s significant swelling or debris in the ears, or your dog is in pain, then your pup likely will need sedation or anesthesia.

In most cases, pain medication (sometimes paired with a sedative or general anesthesia) will prevent your pooch from feeling any pain or anxiety while their hurt ear is cleaned and examined. Your vet will then go through a few steps to diagnose a ruptured eardrum:

Clean their ears — Your pup’s veterinarian will thoroughly flush your dog’s ear to remove any foreign matter or pus. This is generally performed under sedation, so it will likely occur at the same time as the initial exam.

Look inside their ears and possibly run other diagnostic tests — After the ear is clean, they’ll be able to view the eardrum with an otoscope. In some cases, a CT scan may be needed to determine if an eardrum is ruptured and if there is an inner ear infection Trusted Source The Merck Veterinary Manual Trusted provider of veterinary medicine. Go to source .

Prescribe medication — To prevent or treat the infection while the eardrum is healing, your pup may need oral and/or antifungal medications or antibiotics.

While there’s a chance a ruptured eardrum will heal on its own, it’s always a good idea to take your dog to the veterinarian for treatment. If left untreated and an infection develops, healing may take longer, and may not ever be complete.

Ruptured eardrums usually heal within 3-6 weeks. Keep an eye on your pup’s ears for signs that they’re improving or getting worse, such as redness and swelling in their outer ear pinna. Don’t hesitate to take your dog back to the vet for a follow-up if you have concerns or if they aren’t healing as quickly as you feel like they should.

Some causes of ruptured eardrums are preventable. Here are some things you can do to reduce your pup’s risk of hearing damage:

Keep your dog’s ears clean — Keeping your pup’s ears clean is critical for preventing a ruptured eardrum. Debris, matted hair, and moisture can trigger an ear infection, and the subsequent inflammation can damage the tympanic membrane. Just make sure to only use cotton swabs and other cleaning tools on the external part of your dog’s ear; never shove anything inside your dog’s ear canal.

👉 Check out our guide on the best dog ear cleaners to keep your pup’s ears spotless. 

Find the cause of chronic ear infections — Long-term ear inflammation is a major cause of ruptured eardrums in dogs. Finding and treating the underlying cause of chronic otitis is essential for a healthy ear. Often, a diet change is needed if your dog has food allergies or medication to manage environmental allergies.

Avoid long-term exposure to very loud noises — Keep your dog confined in a quiet place while you mow the lawn or operate loud power tools. Limiting your four-legged friend’s exposure to loud noises as much as possible helps to protect their ears from permanent hearing damage.

Your dog may be able to make a complete recovery from a ruptured eardrum, especially if they’re treated quickly. While not life-threatening, a ruptured eardrum is considered a medical emergency. You should always take your dog to the vet if they start showing symptoms of a ruptured eardrum or ear infection to keep them safe.