Some Dog Ear Infections Can Spread And It's Best To Be Aware

Not many illnesses that infect humans can be transmitted to pets. But researchers from Texas A&M University recently discovered that an ear infection caused by the bacteria Pseudomonas may be transmissible from dogs to humans.

Their study found that the same bacteria that was isolated from the ear of an infected dog was also in the oral cavity of the people living in the same house – and the other pets! Those dogs who had recently been to a dog park of swimming pool were more likely to have the bacteria (by 64%). Preventing the spread of this bacteria involves good sanitation. Don’t share ear cleaner bottles or medication between pets.

Water toys and pool toys should be avoided – water helps the bacteria grow! You will probably want to stop all trips to the dog park and pool if your dog has an infection. Your veterinarian can give you more tips for dealing with the infection. Some symptoms you may observe in your dog include ear scratching or head shaking, swelling, pain, inflammation, and ulcers within the ear itself. The main symptom is the strong odor.

Pseudomonas ear infections will be very stinky and have a lot of pus drainage. This bacterium is also known to be resistant to many antibiotics and can be hard to get rid of. To see if your dog has the infection, a culture will be done. One antibiotic that may help are the quinolone antibiotics. If your dog’s strain isn’t resistant to those medications, you will be given a high dose course to kill off the bacteria.

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