Health Report Final - Flipbook - Page 19
Ears
The main causes of ear disease in dogs are (with males being more prone to ear disease
than females, ear conforma on, hypersensi vity disease (such as food allergies, atopic
derma s, contact hypersensi vity), endocrine disease such as hypothyroidism, ear canal
tumours and foreign bodies.
Underlying hypersensi vity disease is the most common factor leading to ear infec ons in
dogs and this likely has a gene c predisposi on as it tends to pass from parent to offspring.
Conforma on also has a large roll in ear health as ears with excessive weight, drooping,
excess hair, stenosis (narrow ear canals and increased cerumen (ear wax) produc on in the
canals can all be passed from parents to offspring during breeding predisposing to ear
infec ons.
Therefore, when making breeding decisions it would be best to breed away from these
exaggerated features where possible.
Recommenda ons for Skin & Ears
1)
Monitor for skin disease.
2)
Consider not breeding bitches or dogs who have consistent and severe
skin or ear problems as there is a known gene c component to overall
skin health, allergies, and ear issues.
3)
Owner educa on on how to care for their dogs’ ears to reduce the risk
of ear issues.
13
