The American Beagler Forum

I was just curious if any of you know if ear infections can affect the dogs running at all. I have heard that if they have a ear infection that sometimes they do alot of dumb things when running. Just curious...

yes. i had this happen.

I just treated my male for ear mites because I noticed he has been shaking his head back and forth lately. Will ear mites effect a dogs running ability?

How well do you perform when you are sick or have something constantly irritating you? I would say it is very possible.

I don't know about the ear mites but if a dog has an ear infection my thought is it could effect his sinus paths which could effect his nose or scenting ability. btw, I have gave 2 treatments with Happy Jacks Mitex and seems that the head shaking has subsided.

for ear mite i have gave my dogs 2 or 3 drops of ivomec right down in the ear also used ivomec for ear fungus works fast n furious too jb

I would say that ear mites or an ear infection would effect the way they hunt and run. I had a hound stop using his mouth and I discovered that he had ear mites. I put a couple of drops of ivomac in each ear and he started giving plenty of mouth again.

yes yes yes you all are right it not olny messes with there hearin it also srews up the sinus do to the drainage. In many cases it even messes with there equillibreium (spelling) so your dog will not perform at it best

I was running my FTCH Winterborne Boomerang in trials a long time ago. He got second in one and the judge told me he'd have won it, except for the fact that when the two judges were trying to separate the top two hounds, they watched two checks and Boomer stood for a few seconds and shook his head, while the other hound grabbed the check and got the points (and the win). The judge told me "he probably had ear mites". He was right, and I got him cured and won the very next trial he was in (against the same competition). I don't take any chances now.

It can get very bad. I seen my dog have a hard time keeping his balance when he put his head down to eat, he seemed to walk OK at the time but the ear infection does cause major problems with equilibrium and a hound needs that, to be able to run.

Does it effect running? Yes

When a dog has ear problems they don't want to bark as much either. Something about the sinuses and pain I guess. I had a dog that would run and bark rarely on a track..treated him for ear mites..he opened almost 3 times as much and claimed much faster. I am sure it affects dogs differently. But anything that makes the dog uncomfortable will change his game.