Ear infections
are very common in dogs, although less so in cats. Two types are most often
seen: otitis externa, infection of the external ear canal, and otitis media,
infection of the middle ear.
Although any
dog or cat can get an ear infection, some breeds appear to be more prone
than others.
Dogs with pendulous
ears, like Cocker Spaniels and Basset Hounds, or dogs with hairy inner
ear flaps, like Miniature Poodles and Schnauzers, tend to have a higher
occurrence of ear infections.
In cats, the
Persian breed seems to be more prone to such infections.
Most ear infections
are easily and successfully treated. But if left untreated, they could
result in serious damage.
Causes
Bacteria or
yeast are most often the culprits of otitis externa. Other causes include
an accumulation of wax, thick or matted hair in the ear canal, debris,
a foreign body, a tumor or impaired drainage of the ear. Sometimes, infections
of the external ear canal are a secondary result of some other bodily infection
or ear mite infestation.
Otitis media usually results
from the spread of infection from the external ear canal to the middle
ear.
Also, foreign bodies, debris,
ulceration or improper ear cleaning can rupture the eardrum and allow
infection to reach the middle
ear.
Symptoms
Ear infections
are very uncomfortable for your pet. Your dog or cat will show his discomfort
by shaking his head or scratching at his ears. Often, the ears will become
red and inflamed with an offensive odor and perhaps a black or yellowish
discharge. If your pet tilts his head constantly, it could be a sign of
a middle ear infection.
Diagnosis
and Treatment
Because many
different culprits can be the cause of your pet's ear infection, it is
important to have your cat or dog examined by a veterinarian, who can then
determine the proper medication or treatment. Your veterinarian will also
make sure the eardrum is intact, as some medications can result in hearing
loss if administered to a pet with a ruptured eardrum.
What is involved
in an ear exam? Your veterinarian will use an otoscope-an instrument that
provides light and magnification-to view the ear canal. He or she will
determine whether or not the eardrum is intact and if any foreign material
is present. If this is very painful to the pet, sedation or anesthesia
may be necessary to complete the exam.
Next, your veterinarian
will take a sample of the material in the canal and examine it under a
microscope. This is called cytology, and allows the doctor to determine
the organism causing the infection. If more than one organism are culprits,
multiple medications or a broad-spectrum medication is necessary.
If your veterinarian
finds a foreign body, a tick or a very heavy buildup of debris, sedation
will likely be required to remove the irritant or to allow a thorough cleansing.
A middle ear
infection can be more difficult to clear up. Diagnosis and treatment may
include lab tests, X-rays and even surgery. Four to six weeks may pass
before the infection disappears, and often during this time you will be
told to restrict the activity of your pet.
For both types
of infection, you should keep water from entering your pet's ears. Follow-up
visits to your veterinarian are very important to make sure treatment is
working and the infection has
disappeared.
Remember, the
longer infection is present, the harder it is to get rid of it. If an ear
infection goes untreated, your pet will continue to be in pain. Your pet's
head shaking and scratching can cause further problems, such as broken
blood vessels that require surgery to correct. Chronic infections can harm
the eardrum and close the ear canal. Surgical reconstruction of the ear
canal may then become necessary.
Medicating
Treatment prescribed
by the doctor usually includes administering medication to and cleaning
the ears daily for one to two weeks. Remember, your pet's ears are painful,
and Fluffy or Fido might not appreciate what you are about to do, so use
caution. Ask your veterinarian for a demonstration on how to treat the
ears properly.
Prognosis
Most often,
with proper diagnosis and treatment, your pet's ear infection will be cured.
However, if ear infections are chronic or recurrent, an underlying problem,
such as allergies or thyroid disease, may be the cause.
Because cats
are normally resistant to ear infections, other problems should be explored.
Your cat may have an unusually shaped ear canal, or its immune system could
be suppressed.
Have your veterinarian
test your cat for the feline leukemia virus and feline immunodeficiency
virus (FIV), both of which affect the immune system. Also, diabetic cats
tend to be prone to ear infections, so testing for diabetes may be indicated.
Prevention
Pet owners can help their
pets avoid ear infections by practicing preventative care at home. This
is especially important for those animals that have pendulous ears, have
lots of hair in their ears, or have allergies or other medical problems
that make them prone to ear infections. A weekly ear cleaning with a veterinarian-recommended
ear cleansing solution can minimize or prevent infections. Such a cleaning
provides other benefits, as well.
"Weekly ear
cleanings get the pet owner to really see the ear on a routine basis, allowing
him or her to notice any early warning signs of infection," says AAHA veterinarian
Dr. LeeAnn Dumars.
"And they get
the pet used to having its ears handled, making exams and medication administration
easier when necessary."
In addition
to ear cleanings, pets with lots of hair on the inside ear flap should
have those hairs plucked periodically by their groomer or veterinarian.
"Pet owners
with animals that have chronic ear problems must realize that life-long
preventative care and maintenance will be necessary to ensure their pet's
good health," says Dr. Dumars.
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