What if my dog's ears are hot?

A dog's hot ears may be caused by intense exercise, high environmental temperature, fever, or ear infections. First, if the dog has just finished exercising or the environmental temperature is high, it can cause an increase in the temperature of the ear flaps. Generally, the temperature will return to normal after the dog has rested for a while. Secondly, if the dog has warm ears while at rest, and accompanied by symptoms such as lethargy and loss of appetite, it is possible that the dog has a fever or an ear infection. In this case, you can use a thermometer to measure the dog's rectal temperature. If it exceeds 39 degrees Celsius, it means the dog has a fever, and it is recommended to send the dog to a pet hospital for inspection as soon as possible.

Intense exercise

Dogs don't have sweat glands, so they often cool off through their paws, ears, and panting. Especially after intense exercise, the dog's ear temperature will rise accordingly. However, when the dog rests, the temperature will naturally drop. This is a normal physiological phenomenon, so owners don't need to worry too much.

High environmental temperature

If the environment temperature is too high, the dog's body heat cannot dissipate properly, which can cause warm ears. At this time, the owner needs to promptly move the dog to a shady and well-ventilated place, and prepare clean water for the dog to prevent heatstroke. After the dog has rested, its temperature will naturally return to normal.

Fever

If the dog is warm not only in the ears but also in other parts of the body, and is accompanied by symptoms such as lethargy, loss of appetite, and dry nose, it may have a fever. In this case, it is recommended to measure the dog's rectal temperature. Insert a mercury thermometer into the dog's anus, covering the mercury column, for 1-2 minutes. A dog's normal temperature is 38.5-39.5 degrees Celsius. If the temperature exceeds this range, it means the dog has a fever. It is recommended to take the dog to a pet hospital as soon as possible for inspection, to identify the cause of the fever, and then treat it accordingly to avoid delaying the disease.

Ear infections

Ear infections in dogs can also cause warm ears, such as outer ear inflammation, middle ear inflammation, mites, fungal infections, etc., which are accompanied by symptoms such as redness, swelling, and itching. It is recommended that owners carefully observe their dogs. If they find their dogs often shaking their heads or scratching their ears, they should go to the pet hospital as soon as possible. Generally, the ears need to be cleaned first, and then antibacterial drops applied.