Beagle Ear Problems: Common Issues and Solutions

They’re fun-loving, easygoing social butterflies who love to stir up mischief. That’s right—we’re talking about beagles, one of America’s most beloved dog breeds. They’re all around adorable, but their cutest quality is undoubtedly their big, floppy ears. You know ‘em, you love ‘em, you need to clean ‘em. 

Sadly, their charming shape makes beagles prone to ear problems, especially painful canine ear infections. For all you vigilant paw parents out there, a dog ear infection can be worrisome. Fortunately, with a little knowledge, doggy ear ailments are simple to spot and treat.

So, why do those adorable ears cause trouble for your furry friend? 

For one, the dog’s ear canal has a different shape than that of humans. You can visualize it as an L-shaped tunnel.¹ This L-shape has a vertical part and a horizontal part, so it easily traps fluid and creates a cozy nook for yeast and bacteria, which can invite an inner ear infection. 

For beagles, in particular, those cute, tent-like ears completely cover the vertical ear canal. This blockage can:

• Cut off airflow
• Create the type of dark and moist environment that bacteria crave

Because the beagle ear canal is so hospitable to troublesome guests, a chronic ear infection is a common occurrence throughout the average beagle’s lifespan. Additionally, beagles can develop ear troubles from:

• Wax accumulation
• Allergies
• Foreign bodies in the ear canal
• Ear mites

No matter the issue, the closed-off nature of beagles' ear canals makes them tough to keep healthy.

Is your beagle suddenly acting agitated or behaving strangely? These, among others, are a few telltale signs that your pup might be developing an ear issue or ear problem. Watch for the following symptoms²:

• Scratching – Like humans, a dog’s natural reaction to itching or discomfort is to scratch. If you spot your pup frequently pawing at their ears, something may be up.
• Head shaking – Another common reaction to ear irritation is to shake the head side to side, as if they’re trying to dislodge something.
• Redness and swelling – You might notice red, inflamed skin around the ear or ear canal. This is a common sign that something is amiss.
• Scabbing – The presence of crusty scabs around the ear can be a symptom of bacterial infection.
• Excessive earwax – Some earwax is normal and healthy. However, too much can signal a problem. Your dog’s immune system may attempt to expel invaders by balling them up in wax. Or the normal process for clearing wax may become unbalanced due to inflammation and other issues.
• Pus or smelly discharge – You may notice discolored, smelly fluid dripping from your dog’s ear—this is cause to get your veterinarian involved.

If you have beagles in your life, keep a close eye on their ears and behavior. Catching an infection early is the best way to avoid deeper problems—and to spare your sweet furry friend some discomfort!

Not all ear issues are identical. Symptoms and treatment depend on the location of the problem. There are three layers to the ear canal, and infections are named for where they show up¹:

• Otitis externa – This is the most common site of infection and affects the outer ear.
• Otitis media – A middle ear infection that often stems from untreated otitis externa.
• Otitis interna – This occurs when the inner ear becomes irritated, but it’s generally rare in dogs.

Unfortunately, beagle ear problems won’t resolve on their own. If one or more of these symptoms are apparent in your beagle, it’s time to schedule a visit to the vet.

After a careful examination, your vet’s first move will likely be to conduct an ear cytology. This is where they take a swab sample from the ear and look for an organism that might be causing the problem.³

Next, your vet will perform a thorough ear cleaning using medicated drops. This may require sedation, as your beagle is unlikely to appreciate the discomfort. If your vet doesn’t feel sedation is necessary, you can help keep your beagle calm by showing affection, using a soothing tone of voice, and feeding them treats. 

After a cleaning and exam, there are a few common treatment plans, depending on the type of ear issue. Remedies include⁴:

• Topical therapy – Your vet may prescribe a topical ointment, cream, or drop to reduce inflammation and clear infection.
• Oral medications – Sometimes, dogs need a little extra boost to fend off an infection. Medication given as a pill or liquid could be steroids and/or antibiotics.
• Surgical intervention – Vets reserve surgery for more serious cases, especially of persistent disease.

For otitis externa, the itching and discomfort can be extreme. Give them some relief with a proven soothing ointment. Vetericyn’s Triple Action Ear Treatment, equipped with 1% hydrocortisone, packs serious soothing power. 

For ear issues caused by wax buildup or a foreign object stuck in the ear canal, treatment will differ. In most cases, cleaning and removal of the foreign material will solve the problem. 

Make sure to follow your vet’s instructions carefully and to complete the entire course of treatment, whatever they prescribe. Stopping ear treatment too soon is a common reason ear infections don’t resolve. It’s also important to remember that human medication designed to treat ear infections may be harmful to animals, so never use medication meant for people on your pup.⁵

Although beagle ear problems are simple to treat, you also want to stop them from occurring in the first place. Taking preventative measures can save you a trip to the vet, and spare your furry friend quite a bit of unpleasantness. 

The number one way to keep ears from getting irritated is to keep them clean and dry. An excellent first step is to invest in a quality ear cleanser. A top-notch ear cleaner, such as Vetericyn Plus Antimicrobial Ear Rinse, can help remove foreign debris, relieve itching, and generally keep the ear canal spick and span.

Once you have a cleanser picked out, it’s crucial to learn the correct cleaning technique.

For an effective and pain-free cleaning, take the following steps⁶:

1. Assemble your tools – You should have a towel, and an ear cleaner handy. It’s also wise to be outside and wear clothing you don’t mind getting messy, as most dogs will shake their head during ear cleanings.
2. Get in the right position – It’s important to keep your pup calm and restrained during the cleaning process. Invite your beagle to lie down, then kneel beside them and use your arms to prevent them from rising.
3. Apply the ear cleanser – Gently lift the ear flap until you can see inside the ear canal. Fill the ear canal with the cleaner (until it overflows). Avoid inserting the bottle’s tip directly into the canal, and don’t touch it to the ear surface.
4. Massage the ear – Hold the ear upright and gently massage the base of the ear where it meets the head for 20-30 seconds. Massaging helps break up any wax or debris. After 30 seconds, allow your dog to get up and shake out the solution.

Then, you’ll need to wipe away any excess fluid on their fur and on the inside of the ear flap. Do not use q-tips inside your dog’s ear. You may damage the eardrum or push material further into the ear. Ear cleaning isn’t exactly a blast for your furry pal—don’t forget to reward them with a treat at the end!

For a floppy-eared breed like beagles, it’s a good idea to perform a thorough cleaning once a month.7 This will help keep their ear canals problem-free. It’s also wise to stay on top of grooming to keep ear hair from trapping debris. Always meticulously dry your dog’s ears after bathing or swimming. 

Even well-cared-for pups can come down with the occasional earache, so don’t worry too much if it’s a once-in-a-while thing. You can try an ear treatment product like Vetericyn's Triple Action Ear Treatment, which is a great way to manage ear issues. 

But if you notice ear infections becoming a routine occurrence, there may be a deeper problem. A few underlying health issues can trigger regular ear troubles. Some of these include:

• Endocrine disorders – This includes diseases like diabetes and hypothyroidism, which weaken your dog’s skin, making it more prone to inflammation.
• Environmental or food allergies – Allergic reactions can trigger skin inflammation and lead to ear infections.
• Ear mites – Mites more often affect cat ears, but they can pass to dogs. These pesky buggers itch like crazy, and the inevitable scratching can lead to infection.

Recurrent ear issues are no reason to panic, but they are a window into the deeper layers of your pet’s health. See them as an opportunity to work with your veterinarian to tackle beagle health issues and troubles before they become major issues.

The best way to ensure a bouncy, boisterous beagle is to take a proactive approach to their health—and Veterycyn is here to help. 

We’ve crafted our line of first-class animal wellness products with one goal in mind: help pets thrive. From our ALL-IN Dog Supplements, which are turbocharged with essential nutrients and loaded with human-grade digestive enzymes, to our supremely soothing Hot Spot Antimicrobial Hydrogel, we’ve got what you need for an upbeat pup. 

Discover how Vetericyn can support you and your pet today—explore our offerings today!