Ear problems are one of the most common medical issues affecting pets. Anywhere from 20-50% of dogs (higher percentage in warmer climates) and 10% of cats suffer from chronic ear problems.
How do I know if my pet has an ear infection?
Common signs of otitis are: Shaking of the head, matted hair behind ears from excessive scratching, aural hematoma (a blood filled pocket in the ear pinna), dried or crusty discharge at ear canal opening, strong foul odor, pain, and head shyness.
How do you Diagnose Otitis?
- Examination: Internal and external examination of the ear and skin by a veterinarian is crucial. The health of the Ear drum must be assessed. A normal healthy ear drum is intact and translucent. The horizontal ear canal is evaluated for swelling, debris, abnormal narrowing, blockage, and abnormal growths or polyps. The ear canal should be smooth and pink. If debris is present it will be evaluated for color, consistency and odor. The overall health of a pet must also be evaluated. Ear problems are often secondary to other diseases, the most common of which is allergies.
- Ear cytology: is the way of identifying and quantifying the micro-organisms present. Cotton swab samples are taken from both ears, fixed to a slide, stained and examined under a microscope. The samples will then be evaluated for the presence of epithelial (skin) cells, white blood cells (WBC) and red blood cells (RBC), yeast, cocci, rods, and mites.
- Treatment: Treatment protocols are based upon, a patient’s history and general health status, cytology results, and health of the ear canal and eardrum. Possible treatments are antibiotics, yeast treatments, steroids, and pain medications if forms such as ear drops, ointments or extended release medications.
BE CAREFUL: The eardrum should be evaluated prior to introducing any medication or cleaner into a pet’s ear as they can cause damage to the eardrum as well as the middle and inner ear. If the health of the eardrum is unknown only use warm water to clean the outside of the ear (pinna) until the ears can be evaluated by a Veterinarian.
Why does my pet keep getting ear infections?
Ear infections are one of the most frustrating health problems for pet owners. Ear problems are often seasonal and allergy-related, require ongoing treatment, and are generally reoccurring or chronic and therefore treatable but not curable.
Why do I need to have my pet rechecked when his ears are better?
Rechecks are CRITICAL! Ears can appear normal and healthy on the outside but inside can still harbor disease and infection. There is no way to know for sure if an infection is cleared without examining the health of the ear canal and ear drum.
This ear treatment isn’t working!
The ear canal is a small ‘L’ shaped tube that is difficult to access making cleaning and medicating properly complicated. In addition, some infections are more severe than others and may need to be treated longer. Bacteria can also become resistant to certain antibiotics especially in pets with chronic conditions. What may have worked well the last time may have no affect now. In those situations a Culture and Sensitivity test may be needed. This test cultures the bacteria present and exposes it to various antibiotics allowing the Veterinarian to know which antibiotics will work and which to avoid.