Ear Infections

Ear infections are common in pets, and can be particularly frustrating to treat.  Most ear infections have an underlying cause resulting in secondary bacterial or yeast infections.
For example:
- Food allergy or general skin allergy. This is very common!
- Hair in the ear canal (eg. Poodles);
- Foreign bodies in the ear canal (eg. Grass seeds, fleas, insects);
- Moist environment (eg. dogs with droopy ears, or those that swim);
- Anatomical arrangement (eg long, narrow ear canal);
- Ear Mites;
- Secondary to skin allergies and chronic ear inflammation – one of the most common causes.

Symptoms include:

- Head shaking and scratching at the ears with the paws, or rubbing ears along the ground,
- Discharge or a noticeable smell from the ears,
- Animal may stand with one ear held down,
- Lethargy, depression and restlessness.

Treatment

Examination with an otoscope allows the vet to see all the way down to the ear drum and assess the condition.  If the ear is particularly painful and/or inflamed this may need to be done under sedation or anaesthesia.
The vet may take a smear of ear discharge to be stained and and examined under the microscope.  In severe cases a sample may be sent to the laboratory for a Culture and Sensitivity analysis.  This will determine precisely which infectious agent is responsible and which antibiotic is most suitable.

Treatment may involve:
- Long term change of diet to a new and consistent protein,
- Thorough ear flush perhaps under sedation or anaesthetic,
- Ear mite treatment,
- Ear wash with specified ear cleaners,
- Antibiotic drops,
- Antibiotic tablets,
- Cortisone drops, injection or tablets,
- Surgery to change the conformation of the ear if chronic, recurrent infections are occurring.

Re-checks

All significant infections are rechecked weekly until the ears are perfect to ensure a complete recovery is made. There is a charge for this service.

Chronic or Recurring Ear Infections

It is not uncommon to see chronic ear infections in dogs. 
These can be caused by:
- Antibiotic resistance.  This can occur if an antibiotic course is not completed.  Laboratory testing will identify this.
- Skin allergy.  This leads to recurring ear infections.  Skin allergies are often due to diet - see Importance of Diet.
- Life-style eg. Regular swimming leading to constantly moist ears.
- Conformation and shape of the ear.

Prevention of Ear Infections

Weekly cleaning of the ears with ear cleaner such as Epi-Otic or Gentle Paw cleaner is recommended.  This loosens wax deposits and foreign material and helps keep the environment in the ear dry and unfriendly to bacteria.  It is particularly important to clean ears after swimming.

Do not leave ear infections in your pet untreated hoping they will go away!  Chronic ear infections are more difficult to treat and can predispose your pet to life long ear problems.  Excessive irritation leading to head shaking can result in aural haematomas that ruptures blood vessels in the ear.  This condition usually requires surgery to resolve, as well as treatment for the inciting cause.

If you are ever concerned about your pet’s ears please phone 3288 1574 to make an appointment to see the veterinarian.