You may wonder what color a healthy dog’s earwax should be. Usually it comes in a light brown color, but could range in different shades. This range of colors could mean different things, especially when it comes with a bad smell or visible blood. In this article we will give a comprehensive chart about dog earwax color and its meaning.
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Excessive Ear Wax in Dogs
Earwax is a natural substance secreted by the ear gland to keep the ear canals clean, lubricated, and dirt free. This wax also has antibacterial properties that protects the ears from infection. Therefore, having them in moderate amounts secreted in the ear is entirely normal.
“My two-year-old Basset Beagle had excessive ear wax but was not diagnosed with ear mites or an infection”, - Reddit User
Studies suggest that excessive earwax in dogs could indicate an underlying health condition or could potentially lead to one, as seen in some breed-prone dogs like Basset Hounds. Ear mites are often seen as one of the causes of excessive earwax buildup in dogs. The activities of these parasites could trigger the ear glands to secrete more wax in a bid to combat the ongoing insult.
However, it is not advisable to completely remove earwax in dogs since this wax is protective and helpful in keeping the ears healthy. According to research, overcleaning can increase the risk of an ear infection like otitis. It is best to consult a veterinarian for a definitive diagnosis and the right prescription when you notice excessive buildup of earwax in your dog’s ear.
“Obsessive cleaning of the ears could alter the pH balance and make them more susceptible to infection”, - Dr. Sarah Wooten
Dog Ear Mites vs. Ear Wax
Ear mites are tiny parasites that may not be easy to spot because they are embedded in the earwax. One may not be able to tell if a dog has ear mites by merely looking at the ears, but a typical ear mite condition in dogs would be accompanied by some symptoms, which may include:
- Head shaking
- Excessive itching
- Tilting the head to one side
- Scratching
- Head bumping
- Bad odor
- Unusual ear discharge
- Excessive earwax buildup
- Pain when touched
- Inflamed ears
Earwax on its own may not cause these symptoms and would be moderate in production if healthy. However, an ear mite infection would and only a vet could confirm if a dog has ear mites or not.
In case of an ear mite infection, you might incur some treatment fees, which can be much less of a burden if you opt into the Petcube Emergency Fund. This fund can offset up to $3000 in vet fees; sign up now using the exclusive link to get a 27% discount.
Dog Ear Wax Color Chart
The color of an earwax could tell the health condition of the ear; its quantity may not, as there have been cases of dogs who had excessive earwax production and are healthy. An earwax color would however give us a better picture of what’s going on.
The color of a dog’s earwax could give a hint on potential ear health conditions. For example, a healthy earwax usually presents as light brown or yellow, while a darker color may indicate a condition like yeast infection.
Take a look at some of the colors of earwax and their meaning.
| Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Light Brown | Most common earwax color in dogs, indicating a healthy earwax |
| Pale Yellow | A healthy earwax color |
| Dark Brown | Indicates a yeast infection |
| Black/Grey | Debris, dirt, and dust buildups |
| Dark Green | A bacterial infection |
| Dark Red | Blood from ruptured eardrum and infection |
Though these colors could range greatly, accompanying symptoms like bad odor or pain could give us a heads up. For instance, I had a patient one time who was experiencing excruciating pain in the right ear. With a closer look, he was diagnosed with an ear mite infection with excessive dark brown wax build-ups.
Conclusion
Dog earwax comes in different colors which could mean different things. Any color other than a pale yellow or light brown could mean something serious is going on in the ear. Observing for accompanying symptoms like inflammation or an ear odor would further give a hint of what is happening. If you are worried your dog might be having excessive earwax, it’s best to consult a veterinarian.
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