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~ Staying on Top of Your Pet's Ear Infections ~
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Ear infections for your pet can be a very serious condition with severe consequences. Additionally, your pet can also develop an infestation of ear mites, which will guarantee your pet to be restless. Ear mites spread rapidly, and can be transmitted from even brief physical contact with other animals. One of the warning signs can be that your pet is constantly scratching at their ears and/or shaking their head.
A medicated ointment is used for the treating of ear mites by cleaning the inside of your pets ears. However, most over-the-counter solutions sold to treat ear mites can be less effective than a prescription, which can be obtained from your veterinarian. Furthermore, if you have more than one pet in your home, you may want to consider treating all your pets’ for ear mites in an effort to prevent an infestation spreading to all of your pets.
OTITIS EXTERNIA
Otitis Externia is characterized as an infection of the external ear and ear canal. Otitis Externia is most commonly caused by bacteria or the build-up of yeast in the ear canal. However, an accumulation of earwax, matted hair, or a foreign body may also prevent the proper drainage of the ear. Additionally, a black or brownish thick discharge with a foul odor may accompany your pets ear infection.
OTITIS MEDIA
Otitis Media is an infection of the middle ear. In Otitis Media the ear is infected or clogged with fluid behind the ear drum. Improper cleaning of your pets ears, an accumulation of debris, or foreign bodies can also contribute to a middle ear infection. Furthermore, chronic ear infections may be the result of an allergy that your pet has developed to an environmental or dietary allergen. Your veterinarian can run test to diagnose allergic conditions, which can include testing the skin for responses to known allergens or analyzing the blood for the presence and levels of allergen-specific antibodies.
Untreated ear infections can lead to serious damage to include permanent hearing loss, broken blood vessels, and/or a ruptured eardrum. Vigorously shaking and scratching of their ears can also cause your pets ears to become red and inflamed, which can increase your pets discomfort. Occasionally, more serious infections may require surgery.
TREATMENT
Most ear infections are treatable and can be controlled with medications, which include broad-spectrum antibiotics. While your veterinarian can prescribe you medications to treat a current infestation and/or infection; it will also take diligent care combined with regular cleanings from you to maintain your pets ears and wellbeing.
Pet owners can help their pets avoid ear infections by continuous preventative care at home. Regular preventative care is especially important for pets that have pendulous ears, have lots of hair in their ears, or have allergies that make them prone to ear infections. A weekly ear cleaning with a sterile ear cleansing solution can minimize or prevent infections. Additionally, pets with a lot of hair inside their ear flap should have those hairs plucked periodically by their owner, groomer or veterinarian. Remember, long-term preventative care and maintenance is essential to ensuring your pets health and overall wellbeing.
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