Why does my dog have brown discharge in their ears?

Brown discharge from the dog's ears can be normal, or it may indicate a problem. Light brown wax is normal and serves to protect the ear canal. Dark brown, crumbly debris may mean a yeast infection. I inspect my spaniel's ears once a week so that I can catch any changes early. Any blood-tinged discharge should be evaluated by the veterinarian immediately, as it may indicate trauma.

Yeast overgrowth gives rise to a dark brown or black crumbly discharge with a sweet smell. This common affliction flourishes in warm, moist ear conditions, especially in breeds with floppy ears. My terrier developed it after she had been swimming in a lake where she wasn't properly dried. Antifungal medications clear it effectively if caught early.

Bacterial infections can cause a yellow or green pus-like discharge that sometimes smells rancid. Pseudomonas bacteria in infections give off a particularly foul odor that requires specific antibiotics to cure them. I had a rescue dog I fostered that had this, and required culture tests to figure out what the treatment was. Never ignore the yellow, green discharge because it only gets worse if you do.

At-Home Monitoring can help distinguish between normal and abnormal discharge. Should check ears every week during grooming with excellent lighting. I will lift my dog's ear flaps and check the color and texture of the canals. Healthy ears exhibit pink skin with minimal or no wax accumulation, requiring no treatment.

Professional diagnostics are important with abnormal discharge patterns. Vets will use the otoscope to examine the eardrum, then take swabs from the ear for microscopic examination. My neighbor delayed this with her lab, resulting in chronic ear problems. Early veterinary consultation can help prevent minor issues from developing into chronic conditions.

Read the full article: Dog Ear Cleaning: Essential Steps & Tips