Bluetick Coonhound Ear Infections: Signs, Causes and Ear Care

A Bluetick on a cold track does not hurry. Nose down, voice booming through the dark, it can work an old raccoon trail for hours along a creek bank that most people would never walk in daylight. By the time you get your hound back to the truck, those long, thin ears have usually been dragged through mud, wet leaves and shallow water more times than you could count.

That is the reason Bluetick owners tend to learn about ear trouble sooner or later. This guide explains what puts the breed at risk, which signs to watch, the common triggers behind a sore ear, when your veterinarian needs to step in and how to set up a care routine that fits a working or weekend coonhound.

Why Bluetick ears need extra attention

The Bluetick Coonhound is easy to pick out in a crowd. Its short, glossy coat is covered in dark blue mottling, a dense ticking of black over white that gives the dog a slate-blue look, with larger black spots on the body and tan points on the face, chest and legs. Underneath that coat is a lean, muscular hound built for stamina rather than sprinting.

The ears are what matter most here. They are set low on the skull, long and fine in texture, and when you draw one forward it reaches toward the end of the nose. Because they hang so low, the flap covers the opening of the canal almost all the time. Very little air circulates underneath, and whatever moisture gets in stays put.

A few features of the breed and its job stack on top of that anatomy:

• Cold-nosed trailing. Blueticks are known for patiently unraveling old, faint scent. That means long stretches with the head low and the ears sweeping the ground.
• Creek-bottom country. Raccoons favor water, so the hounds follow. Wading, splashing and muddy banks are part of almost every hunt.
• Night dampness. Dew settles on grass and brush after sunset, and a hound running through it comes back soaked from the head down.
• Allergic skin. Like many dogs, some Blueticks develop environmental or food allergies, and itchy, inflamed ears are often the first place those show up.

Researchers studying UK veterinary records found that hound breeds, along with dogs whose ears hang in a pendulous shape, had higher odds of ear inflammation than other dogs. A Bluetick checks both boxes. If you want to see where the breed sits among other long-eared dogs, our list of 20 dog breeds predisposed to ear infections is a useful comparison. The Bloodhound ear guide also covers a scent-hound cousin with even heavier ears and loose facial skin.

Bluetick ears have close cousins: see our Black and Tan Coonhound and Redbone Coonhound ear guides for two more long-eared night trailers.

Signs your Bluetick's ear is bothering it

Coonhounds can be stoic in the field and lazy on the couch, so subtle changes are worth noting. Look for:

• Frequent head shaking, sometimes loud enough to hear the ears flap against the skull
• Pawing at one ear, or dragging the side of the face across the carpet or grass
• A sour or yeasty smell when you lift the flap
• Brown, black or yellowish gunk at the canal opening
• Pink, hot or thickened skin on the underside of the ear leather
• Holding one ear lower than the other, or tilting the head slightly toward the sore side
• Reluctance to be petted around the head after a hunt

Discharge can tell your vet a lot. Our article on what the color and texture of ear discharge can mean explains the common types, but only an exam and a look under the microscope can confirm what is going on.

What usually sets off a flare-up

Water and mud left behind. Creek crossings and rainy nights leave the canal damp and warm. Softened skin is more fragile, and the yeast and bacteria that normally live there in small numbers can multiply.

Plant material. Burrs, foxtails and seed heads ride in on the long ear leather and can slip into the canal, causing sudden, one-sided irritation.

Underlying allergies. When ears keep flaring despite good hygiene, allergies are often the reason. Your vet may suggest a diet trial or other allergy work-up.

Parasites. Ear mites spread easily between dogs that share a kennel or dog box. Puppies are especially prone to picking them up.

Too much cleaning. Scrubbing healthy ears every day, or using harsh household liquids, can irritate the lining you are trying to protect.

When to see your vet

Routine cleaning is meant for comfortable, healthy ears. A painful or infected ear needs a professional exam so your vet can check the eardrum and choose a treatment. 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

Skip internet shortcuts such as vinegar rinses, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol or homemade oil drops, and keep cotton swabs out of the canal. All of these can make an already sore ear worse.

A practical routine for a coonhound that hunts

During hunting season, plan on a quick look and wipe every time your Bluetick comes in wet or muddy, plus a full clean about once a week. In the off-season, a pet hound that mostly naps and takes neighborhood walks may only need a weekly check and an occasional clean. If your dog has a history of flare-ups, ask your vet how often to clean.

1. Dry the head first. Towel the ears and face before you start, and work along the full length of each ear.
2. Inspect the leather. Turn each flap inside out and check the canal opening and the ear tips. Redness, swelling, a strong smell or discharge means pause and call your vet.
3. Lift the flap up and back. On a long-eared hound, holding the ear over the top of the head straightens the canal and makes the next step easier.
4. Fill the canal with a dog ear cleaner.
5. Massage the base of the ear for 60 to 90 seconds. You should hear a soft squishing sound.
6. Back up and let the dog shake. Blueticks fling those ears hard, so do this outdoors.
7. Wipe the visible part of the ear and the inner flap with gauze or cotton. Do not probe deeper than your finger can reach comfortably.

Tip for hunters: keep a towel, gauze pads and a small flashlight in the truck so you can check ears for burrs before the drive home.

About EcoEars: EcoEars is a botanical dog ear cleaner with no antibiotics or steroids, made in the USA in an FDA-registered facility. Per 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. The label directions are twice daily for 10 days in a row, then weekly or as needed. It is intended for dogs 12 weeks and older and for dogs only, since it contains tea tree oil.

Bluetick Coonhound ear FAQ

My Bluetick's ears smell after every hunt. Is that normal?

A muddy, earthy smell that goes away after drying and a clean is usually just dirt. A sour or yeasty odor that lingers, or comes with discharge or scratching, should be checked by your vet.

Do the long ears need to be kept out of the water bowl?

It helps. A deep, narrow bowl or a stretchy snood at mealtimes keeps the tips drier and cleaner, especially for dogs that drink right after exercise.

Should I trim the hair inside my Bluetick's ears?

The breed's short coat rarely causes heavy hair buildup in the canal. If you see tufts that trap wax, let your vet or groomer decide whether anything needs to be removed.

Can a Bluetick's loud baying be affected by ear problems?

Baying itself does not cause ear trouble, but a hound that suddenly goes quiet, refuses to trail or holds its head oddly may be uncomfortable. Take that kind of behavior change as a reason to book an exam.