Ear conditions are frequently seen in practice. In recent weeks, ear mites in particular have been giving pets bother. If treated early, ear conditions have a very good prognosis. Older infections can become chronic problems that are difficult to treat with unrewarding results.
Signs of ear disease include;
- Sore ears, yelping when the affected area is petted
- Frequent ear scratching
- Head shaking
- Dragging ears along the round
- Waxy discharge
More severe, deep-seated diseases of the inner ear can result in;
- Hearing loss
- Abnormal head position (with the affected ear held lower)
- Abnormal staggering gait, uncoordinated movements
- Poor balance
- Walking in circles
- Pus discharging from the ear
- Drooping seen on one side of the face
Severe or long standing infection can cause the ear canal to become severely red and inflamed. The walls lining the ear canal can swell to the extent that the canal itself becomes blocked. This makes the insertion of topical treatments difficult and less effective, so early intervention is key.
Causes of inner ear disease in pets include;
- Long or dense hair in the ear. This prevents necessary ventilation and drying within the ear, predisposing to bacterial and or fungal infection.
- Breed predisposition. The long ears of Spaniels are frequently wet during winter months, particularly in working dogs. Grass seeds and awns picked up in tall grass may also migrate inward, causing very painfully inflamed ears.
- Small dogs with narrow ear canals are prone to infection, again due to poor air circulation
Cats in addition also suffer from polyps (long fleshy outgrowths) within the ear canal. These can cause coughing, sneezing and difficulty swallowing.
