Question
My German Shepherd is scratching the upper part of his mouth and the inside of his left ear recently. I want to know, what would be the reason for this?
Answer
As people have mentioned in the comments it does sound like an ear infection and would warrant a vet visit.
Signs of an ear infection:
- Head shaking
- Head tilt
- Excessive scratching
- Hair loss or scabbing around the ears (from scratching)
- Foul odor
- Discharge from the ear
Causes
- Allergies
- Frequent swimming without drying the ears
- Inadequate ear cleaning (especially in floppy eared dogs)
- Polyps
- Ear mites
What to expect
During the exam the veterinarian will use an otoscope to look inside your dogs ear to check for:
- Inflamation
- Excess debris
- Appearance of the ear drum
After the otoscopic exam a sample of the debris from both ears will be taken to view under a microscope. The most common types of infection are:
- Bacterial
- Fungal
Each type of infection needs a specific medication though most veterinary ear medications treat both types.
Answered By - Rebecca RVT