Black and Tan Coonhound Ear Infections: Signs, Causes and Ear Care

Pick up a Black and Tan Coonhound's ear and stretch it forward. On many dogs it reaches past the tip of the nose. Those velvety, folded ears are part of what makes the breed so striking, and they help sweep scent up toward the nose on a night trail. They also hang so low and so heavily that air barely reaches the canal underneath.

If you own one of these big, mellow hounds, this guide covers why their ears are prone to trouble, what to watch for, typical causes, the red flags that call for your vet and a simple routine you can stick with.

Long ears, short coat, night work

The Black and Tan Coonhound is an American scent hound, bred to trail raccoons through woods and creek bottoms after dark and to announce the tree with a deep, baying voice. The coat is short and dense, jet black with rich tan markings above the eyes, on the muzzle, chest and legs.

The ears are the key feature. They are set low and well back on the head, very long, thin and soft, and they hang in graceful folds rather than lying flat. A fold traps warm air and moisture inside it, and the low set means the opening of the canal sits under a heavy curtain most of the time.

Several other things add risk:

Ground-level scenting. Trailing with the nose down sends the ear tips through wet leaves, mud and creek water for hours.

Night conditions. Coonhounds often work in dew and damp air after sunset, so ears come home wet more often than not.

Ear tips that get injured. Long ears flap against brush and the dog's own legs. Small nicks and scuffs on the tips are common.

Allergies. Itchy skin from environmental or food allergies can show up first in the ears.

UK research on canine ear inflammation found hounds and dogs with pendulous ears at higher odds than other dogs. That finding fits Coonhounds well. Compared with the Bloodhound, the Black and Tan has much less loose skin and wrinkling on the face, so the main problem is the ear itself rather than heavy facial folds. Our Bloodhound ear guide covers that wrinklier relative, and the Basset Hound ear guide covers another long-eared scent hound built much lower to the ground.

The Redbone Coonhound shares the long drop ears and the night-hunting history, in a solid red coat and a keener love of water.

Early warning signs

Coonhounds are famously laid-back indoors, so a sore ear may only show as a change in routine. Keep an eye out for:

• Shaking hard enough that the long ears audibly slap the head
• Rubbing the face along the couch, rug or yard
• Scratching at the base of the ear or along the side of the head
• Dark, waxy debris inside the folds of the ear leather
• A strong, musty odor when the ear is lifted
• Red, swollen or warm skin at the canal opening
• Crusty or bleeding ear tips from repeated shaking
• Baying less or seeming quieter and more withdrawn

Usual causes

Moisture. Dew, creek crossings and baths leave water in a canal that cannot easily dry. Soft, damp skin lets the yeast and bacteria normally present in small numbers overgrow.

Allergies. One of the most common underlying reasons ear trouble keeps returning. Your vet can help identify the trigger.

Debris and wax. Leaves, seeds and dirt collected on low ears can find their way into the canal. Heavy wax builds up under a closed flap.

Ear mites. More likely in puppies or dogs kennelled together. They cause intense itch and dark, crumbly debris. Our guide to ear mites in dogs explains more, and your vet can confirm them.

When to see your vet

Home care is for ears that are healthy. If your hound's ear is already sore, your vet should check the canal and eardrum before anything is put in it. Book a visit if you notice:

• Pain: your dog yelps, flinches or will not let you touch the ear
• Head tilt, loss of balance, circling or unusual eye movements
• Bleeding, or a swollen, puffy ear flap (this can be a blood blister called an aural hematoma)
• A bad smell together with discharge
• Redness or swelling that is getting worse
• Symptoms that have not improved after a few days, or keep coming back

Long-eared hounds that shake hard are candidates for aural hematomas, so a puffy ear flap deserves prompt attention. Avoid home mixtures with vinegar, peroxide, alcohol or oils, and never push cotton swabs into the canal.

An ear routine for a long-eared hound

For most healthy Black and Tans, a weekly clean works well, with an extra check and clean after night hunts, swims or muddy trails. Pet hounds that spend more time on the couch than in the woods may need it less often. If your dog has had repeated problems, your vet can suggest the right frequency.

The trick with these ears is to open them up. Because they hang in folds, it helps to unroll the leather and look along its full length, not just at the opening.

1. Unfold and look. Gently straighten the ear and check the inner surface, the folds and the tip. Redness, swelling, discharge or a strong smell means stop and call your vet.
2. Lift the ear over the head. This opens the canal and makes it easier to work.
3. Fill the canal with a dog ear cleaner.
4. Massage the base of the ear for 60 to 90 seconds.
5. Let your hound shake. Long ears throw debris a long way.
6. Wipe the opening and the inner leather with cotton pads or gauze, working along the folds. Do not dig into the canal.
7. Check the tips for nicks or scabs and keep them clean and dry.

A snood during meals keeps the ear tips out of the food bowl, and a quick towel after a damp outing goes a long way.

About EcoEars: EcoEars is a botanical dog ear cleaner with no antibiotics or steroids, made in the USA in an FDA-registered facility. As directed on the label, fill the ear canal, massage the base of the ear for 60 to 90 seconds, let your dog shake, and wipe away loosened debris. Use it twice daily for 10 days in a row, then weekly or as needed. It is for dogs 12 weeks and older and for dogs only, since it contains tea tree oil.

Black and Tan Coonhound ear FAQ

Why do my Coonhound's ear tips get scabby?

Long ears take a beating from brush and from hard head shaking. Persistent shaking is a sign to have the ear canal checked, since the tips usually settle down once the shaking stops.

Are Black and Tans more prone than Bloodhounds?

Both have very long, low ears. Bloodhounds also have heavy facial wrinkles, while Black and Tans have tighter skin, so for the Coonhound the ear folds themselves are the main focus.

Should I clean after every night hunt?

If the ears come home wet or muddy, yes. Dry them, check for debris and clean. On dry nights, a quick inspection may be all that is needed.

Can I tape my hound's ears back?

A soft snood at mealtime is fine. Avoid tape or tight bands on the ear leather, which can irritate skin. Ask your vet about other options.