Plott Hound Ear Infections: Signs, Causes and Ear Care

Plott Hounds are tough. They were developed to trail and hold bear and boar through steep, brushy mountain country, and they carry that grit into everyday life. Ask a Plott owner, though, and you will often hear that the one thing that slows these dogs down is a sore ear.

Below you will find what puts Plott ears at risk, the warning signs, the typical causes, the situations that need a vet and an ear-care plan that fits a hard-working, rough-country hound.

What puts Plott Hound ears at risk

The Plott is a medium-to-large, muscular scent hound and the official state dog of North Carolina. Its short, smooth coat comes most often in brindle, ranging from light to very dark, sometimes with a black saddle. The ears are medium to long, set moderately high and hang down as soft drop ears beside the cheeks.

Compared with very long-eared hounds, the Plott's ear is not extreme. Still, a drop ear covers the canal opening and slows the movement of air, and the breed's working life adds several pressures on top of that:

• Rough terrain. Chasing game through laurel thickets, briars and rocky creek beds exposes the ear flaps to scrapes, small nicks and thorns. Broken skin on the flap can become sore and crusty.
• Burrs and seeds. Plant material catches on the leather and around the opening, and some of it can slip down into the canal.
• Creek crossings and rain. Hunts rarely stay dry. Water that gets under the flap lingers longer than it would in an upright ear.
• Allergies. Itchy skin from environmental or food allergies can affect any dog and often announces itself in the ears.

UK research on canine ear inflammation found hounds, and dogs whose ears hang down, at higher odds than other types. A Plott's ears are shorter than a Basset's or a Bloodhound's, so for this breed the bigger story is usually what the dog does rather than the ear's shape alone. If you also live with a smaller scent hound, our Beagle ear care guide covers a similar drop-eared build at a fraction of the size.

Plotts share their trailing work and drop ears with the Black and Tan and Redbone coonhounds.

Signs your Plott's ears need attention

A stoic hound may keep working through discomfort, so watch for small changes:

• Shaking the head after a run, then again a few minutes later
• Pawing or scratching at one ear, sometimes with a low whine
• Rubbing the face against trees, the truck tire or the kennel wall
• Fresh scratches, scabs or a swollen spot on the ear flap
• Darker or heavier wax than usual inside the opening
• An odor you can pick up without putting your nose to the ear
• Red or thickened skin at the entrance to the canal
• Reluctance to have the head handled or the collar adjusted

Odor is often the first clue. Our article on why dogs' ears stink explains the common reasons a smell develops.

Common causes in working and pet Plotts

Most ear trouble starts with something that irritates the canal and then gives yeast and bacteria the warm, damp conditions they like. For Plotts, the usual starting points are:

1. Foreign bodies such as grass awns, burr fragments or bits of bark, often affecting one ear suddenly
2. Moisture from wet woods, rain and creek water
3. Allergies, which tend to cause itchy ears on both sides and may follow the seasons
4. Flap injuries that leave the skin raw and invite scratching
5. Ear mites, mostly in puppies or dogs housed with other hounds

The color and texture of debris can hint at what is going on, though only your vet can say for sure. Our guide to ear discharge in dogs explains what owners commonly see.

When to see your vet

Cleaning is for ears that look and smell healthy. If an ear is already uncomfortable, your vet should examine the canal and the eardrum before you put anything in it. Make an appointment 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

Deep cuts or tears on the ear flap also need professional attention, since ear leather bleeds freely and can be slow to mend. Avoid vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol and oil mixtures, and never probe the canal with a swab.

Ear care for a rough-country hound

For a pet Plott that walks on trails and sleeps on the couch, a check every week and a clean every week or two is usually enough. Hunting dogs benefit from a quick inspection after every outing and a full clean whenever the ears come back wet, dirty or full of plant debris.

After the hunt or hike: run your fingers along both sides of each flap feeling for burrs, thorns and cuts. Look into the opening with a flashlight. If you see a seed head inside the canal, leave it alone and let your vet remove it.

The clean itself:

1. Lift the ear so the opening is exposed and check for redness, swelling, discharge or a strong smell. If you find any, stop and call your vet.
2. Fill the ear canal with a dog ear cleaner.
3. Massage the base of the ear for 60 to 90 seconds; you should hear a soft squishing sound.
4. Release the ear and let your hound shake.
5. Wipe the inner flap and the visible part of the opening with cotton or gauze, not a swab.
6. Look over the flap edges for nicks and keep any scrapes clean and dry.

A hound that is used to having its ears handled at home is far easier to check in the field, so practice with short, positive sessions and a favorite snack.

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.

Plott Hound ear FAQ

My Plott's ear flaps are always scratched up. Is that a problem?

Minor scrapes are common in hunting dogs, but repeated scratching or shaking can keep them open. If the flap is swollen, bleeding or the dog keeps worrying at it, have your vet check both the flap and the canal.

Do brindle Plotts have different ear needs from other colors?

No. Coat color does not change ear care. Ear shape, activity and allergies matter far more.

How often should I clean during hunting season?

Inspect after every trip and clean when the ears come home wet or dirty. On dry, clean days a look may be all that is needed. Over-cleaning healthy ears can irritate them.

Can I pull a burr out of the ear myself?

Burrs caught in the hair on the outside of the flap can be teased out gently. Anything inside the canal is a job for your vet.