Bloodhound Ear Infections: Signs, Causes and Ear Care

Nothing quite matches a Bloodhound on a trail: nose down, ears swinging, wrinkles folding over its eyes as it works out a scent that may be days old. Those famous ears are part of the design, said to help sweep scent toward the nose. They are also some of the longest and lowest-hanging ears in the dog world, and that makes them a constant maintenance job for any Bloodhound owner.

This page covers why Bloodhound ears are high-maintenance, how to notice problems early, the usual causes, when your vet should take a look and a routine built around a dog whose ears drag on the ground.

Why Bloodhound ears need so much care

Bloodhound ears are not just long. Their shape, thickness and position all work against good ventilation.

• Extremely long, low-set ears. The ears are set low on the skull and hang in long, thin folds that often reach past the nose. When the dog tracks, the ear tips sweep the ground.
• Thin, velvety leather. The flaps are soft and thin, and they fold inward and curl, closing off the canal opening.
• Very poor airflow. With such a heavy curtain over the opening, warmth and moisture build up inside the canal.
• Ears in food and water. Long ear tips dip into bowls at every meal and drink, so they come away wet, greasy or crusted with food.
• Wrinkles and drool. Deep facial folds and loose jowls keep the area around the ears damp, and drool often coats the ear leather.
• Outdoor scent work. Trailing through fields and woods means burrs, seeds, mud and plant debris catch on the ears and can make their way toward the canal.

The Basset Hound shares the long ears and scenting job, but on a much shorter, lower body. Our Basset Hound ear guide covers that version, and the Beagle ear page looks at a smaller scent hound with much shorter flaps.

Signs of ear trouble in a Bloodhound

Bloodhounds often have a mild houndy smell, so learn your dog's normal and watch for changes:

• A stronger, sour or yeasty odor coming from the ears
• Frequent head shaking, often with loud ear slapping
• Scratching at the ear or rubbing the head along the floor
• Brown or dark waxy discharge inside the flap
• Redness, heat or swelling in the canal or on the inner leather
• Crusty, cracked or sore ear tips
• A swollen, puffy flap, which can follow vigorous head shaking

With ears this heavy, every head shake carries a lot of force. If your Bloodhound is shaking more than usual, find out why sooner rather than later.

Common causes of Bloodhound ear problems

Trapped moisture and warmth. The closed, heavy ear creates a humid space where yeast and bacteria that normally live on the skin can multiply.

Wax buildup. Without airflow, wax collects in the canal and on the folds of the inner flap.

Food, water and drool. Wet, dirty ear tips bring grime up toward the opening, and the skin can stay damp for hours.

Plant material from the trail. Grass awns and seed heads can slip under the flap and down the canal, usually causing sudden one-sided head shaking. Only your vet can safely remove a seed.

Allergies. Environmental and food allergies can make the canal itchy and inflamed in any breed, and they often explain ear problems that keep coming back.

Ear-tip injuries. Tips that drag on rough ground or get stepped on can become scraped and sore.

When to see your vet

Regular cleaning is for keeping healthy ears healthy. A sore, smelly or discharging ear needs a vet, who will look at the eardrum and usually check a sample under the microscope before prescribing anything. Call your vet if you notice:

• Pain: your Bloodhound 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

Please avoid vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol and homemade oil remedies. They can irritate sensitive skin and may cause harm if the eardrum is damaged. Keep cotton swabs out of the canal.

A routine for long, ground-sweeping ears

Bloodhounds usually need more frequent ear attention than most breeds, and the reasons to clean your dog's ears regularly apply doubly here. A daily glance at the ear tips, a quick wipe after meals and a full ear clean about once a week is a sensible baseline. Clean again after a muddy trail or a swim, and follow your vet's guidance if your hound has recurring problems.

1. Start with the tips. Wipe the ear leather from base to tip with a damp cloth to remove food, drool and dirt, then check the edges for cracks or scrapes.
2. Look inside. Lift and unfold the flap fully. If you see redness, swelling or discharge, stop and contact your vet.
3. Fill the canal. Hold the long ear up and over the head and fill the ear canal with a dog ear cleaner.
4. Massage for 60 to 90 seconds. Gently rub the base of the ear.
5. Let your dog shake. Step back. A Bloodhound shake sends debris and drool a long way.
6. Wipe the opening. Use cotton or gauze on the inner flap and visible canal only.
7. Air the ears. Fold the flaps back over the head for a few minutes, or dry them with a towel, before letting them drop.

At mealtimes: A snood, a soft fabric tube that holds the ears back, keeps them out of the bowl. Narrow, deep bowls designed for long-eared dogs help too.

After trailing: Run your hands along each ear to find burrs and seeds, and check the base of the ear where debris tends to gather.

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.

Bloodhound ear FAQ

Does my Bloodhound really need a snood?

It is not required, but it is one of the simplest ways to keep the ear tips out of food and water. Many owners find it cuts down on sticky, smelly ears.

Why do my Bloodhound's ear tips crack or bleed?

The tips drag on the ground and take a beating from head shaking. Have your vet examine any sore or bleeding tip and look for the cause of the shaking.

Is a houndy smell the same as an ear problem?

Not always. Many Bloodhounds carry a mild musky body odor from their skin and drool. A sharp, sour or yeasty smell that comes specifically from the ear, especially with wax or discharge, is a reason to call your vet.

Can I trim my Bloodhound's ears to make them easier to manage?

No. The ear leather is living tissue with blood vessels, not hair. Focus on keeping the ears clean, dry and out of the bowl, and ask your vet about any problem area.