Rhodesian Ridgeback Ear Infections: Signs, Causes and Ear Care

Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not usually the first breed people think of when ear infections come up. The coat is short and sleek, the ears are a sensible medium size, and many Ridgebacks go years without an ear problem. When trouble does appear, though, it tends to have a specific cause worth tracking down, and a sore ear can turn this dignified, independent dog into a restless one.

Here is a look at how a Ridgeback's ears are built, what tends to go wrong, the signs to watch, the red flags for a vet visit and a light-touch routine that suits the breed.

How Ridgeback ears are built, and where the risk comes from

The Ridgeback is a large, athletic hound developed in southern Africa, famous for the ridge of hair running backward along its spine against the rest of the coat. The coat is short, dense and glossy, in shades from light wheaten to red wheaten. The ears are set fairly high, of medium size, wide at the base and tapering to a rounded tip, and they are carried close to the head.

That close-hanging drop ear still covers the canal opening, so air circulation is lower than in a prick-eared dog. But the ear leather is thin and only lightly haired, and it is nowhere near as long or heavy as a Basset's or Bloodhound's. Hair inside the canal is rarely the issue here. Instead, a Ridgeback's ear problems usually trace back to three things:

Allergies

Itchy skin from environmental allergens such as pollens and dust mites, or from food, can affect Ridgebacks as it can most breeds. Ears often itch along with paws, belly and face. If your dog licks its feet and scratches its ears in the same season, mention both to your vet.

Dust, dry grass and seeds

Ridgebacks were bred for warm, open country and many still love long runs through fields. Dry grass awns and dust can catch on the ear and work toward the canal, often causing sudden irritation in a single ear.

Heat and activity

A hot climate, hard exercise and a dog that rubs its head in the dirt to cool off can leave grime around the ear opening. Most of the time this is simply dirt, but it can irritate skin that is already sensitive.

Ridgebacks share a short coat and athletic build with the Vizsla, though their ears and work differ. Our Vizsla ear guide covers that leaner, water-loving cousin, and our Labrador ear guide explains how allergies play into ear trouble in another short-coated breed.

Signs to look for

Ridgebacks can be reserved about discomfort and may simply seem aloof. These changes are worth noticing:

• Head shaking that comes on suddenly after a run in tall grass
• Holding one ear slightly away from the head or tilting toward one side
• Scratching at the ear, then chewing or licking the feet
• Pink, warm or thickened skin on the inside of the flap
• Waxy buildup that is darker or greasier than usual
• A noticeable smell from the ear
• Rubbing the face along the ground or furniture
• Pulling away when you touch the side of the head

Typical causes

Ear inflammation (otitis externa) in a Ridgeback rarely starts with infection itself. Something first irritates the canal, and yeast or bacteria already present then take advantage. Common starting points include:

• Allergic skin disease, environmental or food-related, which often affects both ears and can return each season
• Grass awns and plant matter, often one ear only and quite sudden
• Moisture from baths or swimming, less of an issue than in long-eared breeds but still relevant if the ears are not dried
• Ear mites, mainly in puppies
• Underlying health conditions such as hormonal problems, which your vet may consider if ear trouble keeps returning

When to see your vet

Use home cleaning only on ears that look and smell normal. A painful or inflamed ear needs a veterinary exam, including a look at the eardrum, before anything is put into it. See your vet 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

Sudden, violent head shaking after a field run is a classic sign of a grass seed in the canal, and the sooner your vet removes it, the better. Stay away from homemade rinses with vinegar, peroxide, alcohol or oils, and never use cotton swabs inside the ear.

A light-touch routine for Ridgebacks

Most healthy Ridgebacks do well with a quick look every week and a clean every two weeks or so. Increase that during allergy season, after swimming or after runs through dusty or seedy ground. Cleaning healthy ears too often can irritate them, so let what you see guide you.

Weekly check: fold each ear back, look at the inner flap and opening in good light, and sniff. Feel the outside of the flap for burrs or ticks if you live where they are common.

When it is time to clean:

1. Have your dog sit or lie beside you. Ridgebacks tend to cooperate better when handling feels calm and unhurried.
2. Check for redness, swelling, discharge or odor. If you find any, skip the clean and call your vet.
3. Lift the ear and fill the ear canal with a dog ear cleaner.
4. Massage the base of the ear for 60 to 90 seconds.
5. Let go and allow a good shake.
6. Wipe the inner flap and the opening with cotton pads, without reaching down into the canal.

After field runs, a quick wipe of the outer ear and a look for seeds takes less than a minute and can save a vet trip.

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.

Wondering if regular cleaning is worth it for a breed with fairly trouble-free ears? Read 5 reasons to regularly clean your dog's ears.

Rhodesian Ridgeback ear FAQ

Are Ridgebacks prone to ear infections?

They are generally at moderate risk rather than high risk. Their ears are not very long or hairy, so problems usually point to a trigger like allergies or a grass seed.

Why does my Ridgeback get itchy ears and paws at the same time?

Itchy ears together with itchy feet is a common pattern with allergies. Your vet can help work out whether the cause is environmental, food-related or something else.

Do I need to dry my Ridgeback's ears after a bath?

A quick towel and a check is a good habit. The short coat dries fast, but water can sit under the flap for a while.

Is the dermoid sinus related to ear problems?

No. Dermoid sinus is a separate condition along the spine that your vet checks for in puppies. It is not connected to ear care.