Your Pet’s Ears
Any person who has had an ear infection, or has kids who have had ear infections, can attest to how painful these can be. Our dogs and cats are no different. However, because our dogs and cats cannot always express how painful they are, it may take a little detective work to find know that your pet has an ear infection. A few common signs of possible ear infections are:
- Malodor
- Redness of the ear
- Discharge from the ear
- Shaking of the head
- Tilting of the head to one side
- Scratching around the neck or head
- Rubbing of the face or ears on other objects
- Shying away from petting of the face, neck or ears
While most ear infections will look the same from the surface, upon closer inspection, each ear infection can actually be quite different. Examination of the ear canal may reveal redness, swelling, ulcerations, torn ear drums, growths like polyps or even in some cases, foreign objects like plant awns down in the ear canal. Evaluation of the ear discharge under a microscope may also help us determine if different types of bacteria, yeast or mites are also involved. All of these factors help our veterinarians pick the safest and most effective treatment plan for your pet to get them feeling better in no time. In addition to treating the infection at hand, our veterinarians may also ask questions about your pet’s history or life-style to determine if there are some underlying factors like atopy, food allergies, or swimming that may be predisposing your pet to repeat ear infections. Together, with your help, we can recommend additional diagnostics or even just simple routine changes that will reduce the risk of future ear infections for your pet.