One of my dog’s ears is swollen and itchy; it earlier stopped eating, and the swelling has lasted almost a month
Expert Answer
If a dog’s one ear is swollen and itchy, it is very likely an ear infection or other disease. Since the swelling has lasted a month, take the dog to a vet soon for exam and treatment to find the cause. Possible reasons: 1. Outer-ear infection—bacteria or fungus causing redness, more discharge, and itch; the vet checks discharge to confirm type and treat.
2. Ear-mite infection—a common parasite causing itch, redness, and more discharge, needing specific medicine. 3. Ear hematoma—a blood clot from broken capillaries, often from scratching or head-shaking; diagnosed by palpation and history, severe cases need hematoma surgery. 4. Ear tumor—a large mass may be a tumor needing ultrasound or biopsy. 5. Other diseases like allergies or skin infection. A full exam finds the exact cause.