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Symptom
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 | Abdominal pain | |
| Scratching | |
| Vomiting | |
| Diarrhea | |
| Halitosis (bad breath) | |
| Ear odor | |
| Scooting | |
| Limping | |
| Coughing | |
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Otitis Externa
Ear infections are extremely common, especially in floppy-eared dogs. In animals the
external part of the ear canal becomes infected rather than the inner, or middle, part
of the ear like in humans. Otitis media (inner ear infection) can develop in pets, but is
much less common.
Otitis externa is a problem many owners fight with frustration. It is common in
Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, and Irish Setters, but can happen in
every breed. 75% of ear infections are probably allergy related, but frequent bathing
and parasites also contribute. If your pet has been diagnosed with a particular
allergy, treating the allergy can lessen the number of ear infections your pet will
have. If your pet has ear infections year round, or they come right back after treating,
consider talking to your veterinarian about a diet change.
The symptoms of otitis externa include shaking the head, scratching at the ears, and
an odor or discharge noticed inside the ear canal. The discharge can either be black
or pus colored (green or white). The canals can also become very reddened,
swollen, and may bleed. If your pet shakes their head chronically, ear hematomas
may form. These happen when tiny capillaries beneath the skin on the ear flaps
break due to chronic shaking. Blood builds up under the skin and the entire ear flap
can look like a small water balloon. Surgical intervention to tack the skin back to the
ear cartilage is the best treatment, so addressing an ear problem when it first
develops is wise.
Your veterinarian will take a sample from the ear with a cotton swab and test it for
bacteria, yeast, or mites. Many topical ear flushes and ointments are available and
generally are prescribed for most ear infections. If the ear canal is very swollen or
painful, a steroid injection will give your pet much needed pain relief and will aid you
in medicating the ears. If the ear canal is swollen shut, oral medications are indicated
until the canal opens, then topical medications are usually effective.
Cats with ear infections usually are tested for ear mites first. If they do indeed have a
bacterial or yeast infection, a diet change may be indicated.
If your pet has had chronic infections, otitis media is a possibility. This happens when
the ear drum is punctured and infection is allowed to invade the inner ear. These
pets generally have jaw pain and act like it hurts to eat. When your veterinarian tries
to open their mouth, they will resist. It is imperative to rule out dental disease or
masses before assuming your pet has an inner ear infection. Pets with otitis media
will need to be treated with oral medication and nothing topical. In very rare cases, a
myringotomy (mechanical rupturing of the ear drum) is indicated if the infection is
severe and the ear drum is intact.
external part of the ear canal becomes infected rather than the inner, or middle, part
of the ear like in humans. Otitis media (inner ear infection) can develop in pets, but is
much less common.
Otitis externa is a problem many owners fight with frustration. It is common in
Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Cocker Spaniels, and Irish Setters, but can happen in
every breed. 75% of ear infections are probably allergy related, but frequent bathing
and parasites also contribute. If your pet has been diagnosed with a particular
allergy, treating the allergy can lessen the number of ear infections your pet will
have. If your pet has ear infections year round, or they come right back after treating,
consider talking to your veterinarian about a diet change.
The symptoms of otitis externa include shaking the head, scratching at the ears, and
an odor or discharge noticed inside the ear canal. The discharge can either be black
or pus colored (green or white). The canals can also become very reddened,
swollen, and may bleed. If your pet shakes their head chronically, ear hematomas
may form. These happen when tiny capillaries beneath the skin on the ear flaps
break due to chronic shaking. Blood builds up under the skin and the entire ear flap
can look like a small water balloon. Surgical intervention to tack the skin back to the
ear cartilage is the best treatment, so addressing an ear problem when it first
develops is wise.
Your veterinarian will take a sample from the ear with a cotton swab and test it for
bacteria, yeast, or mites. Many topical ear flushes and ointments are available and
generally are prescribed for most ear infections. If the ear canal is very swollen or
painful, a steroid injection will give your pet much needed pain relief and will aid you
in medicating the ears. If the ear canal is swollen shut, oral medications are indicated
until the canal opens, then topical medications are usually effective.
Cats with ear infections usually are tested for ear mites first. If they do indeed have a
bacterial or yeast infection, a diet change may be indicated.
If your pet has had chronic infections, otitis media is a possibility. This happens when
the ear drum is punctured and infection is allowed to invade the inner ear. These
pets generally have jaw pain and act like it hurts to eat. When your veterinarian tries
to open their mouth, they will resist. It is imperative to rule out dental disease or
masses before assuming your pet has an inner ear infection. Pets with otitis media
will need to be treated with oral medication and nothing topical. In very rare cases, a
myringotomy (mechanical rupturing of the ear drum) is indicated if the infection is
severe and the ear drum is intact.
