Pete The Vet: Why do pets get sore ears?

There are plenty of reasons why pets get itchy ears. Pete Wedderburn shares the signs pet owners need to be aware of 

Many dog breeds have long droopy ear flaps that can make itchy ears more likely

Itchy ears are one of the most common reasons why pets are brought to see me as a vet. Yet my doctor friends tell me that they almost never see humans with itchy ears.

Why is there such a difference between the species, and what can pet owners do to minimise the risk of their pet suffering from this troublesome problem?