|
 |
|
All about dog ear problems
Questions and answers about ear problems
in dogs
Every
day in every animal hospital veterinarians examine dogs for ear
problems. A critical factor in the development of ear problems
in dogs is the anatomy of the external ear tissues... the pinna (ear
flap), outer ear tissues, and ear canal provide a perfect incubator
for the growth of organisms. Bacteria, yeast, allergies,
excess sebaceous production from the skin lining the outer ear
structures all play a role in ear problems in dogs. And
moisture in the ear canal can provide extra assist for
micro-organism overgrowth.
To learn about ear cleaner
problems and how to clean a dog's ears, go
here |
|
 |
|
|
Question:
I've
heard Cocker Spaniels all get ear problems but I've always wanted to own
one. Is there anything I can do to prevent ear problems if I do
decide to get a Cocker?
And why do some dogs get ear infections and
others don't?
A healthy, normal ear
|
Answer:
dog ear problems...
prevention... why occur
Fortunately not all
Cockers have ear problems; but, many do. There are a number of
issues that promote infections in external ear tissues. (The
internal ear structures
are those beyond the ear drum and can be seriously affected if the ear
drum is
ruptured.) Many breeds tend to have oily skin and
coats. The ear tissues including the canal is lined with very thin
skin; sebaceous glands pour sebum ("oil") onto the surface
and if too much sebum is produced it collects and becomes invaded by yeast
and bacteria. Add a little moisture from bathing, swimming, or ear
"cleaners" and any organisms present reproduce even faster!
Many dogs can swim, bathe and do all sorts of
things and yet never have ear problems; others simply are prone to
infections, scar tissue buildup, ulceration and discomfort due to anatomy,
genetic predisposition, excess sebum production and innate immune
competence.
As with all things relating to optimal health, a
proper diet can assist any dog in resisting infections of all sorts.
Placing cotton in the ears can help eliminate water and soap from
contacting ear tissues while bathing, and gentle removal of any waxy/oily
buildup in the outer ear tissues removes material in which infectious
organisms thrive.
|
Doctor's Notes
The persistent use of "ear
cleaners" in ears that are already cleaned of debris has been
associated with chronic otitis in some dogs. Routinely flooding the
ear canal with ear cleaners when they aren't needed should be avoided.
Do not...
use "ear medications"
or home remedies without advice from your veterinarian. If
there's a problem and the ear drum is damaged the dog's difficulties will
surely be compounded! Microscopic
aspects of otitis...
Your veterinarian may swab an infected ear,
put the material onto a glass slide, stain the specimen, and look for
types and numbers of infective organisms such as yeast and bacteria
How to
clean a dog's ears, go
here. |
|
View
all topics
|
Go
to
VeterinaryMedicalImages.com
to see a number of photos of dogs and cats with
various conditions and diseases. View x-rays (radiographs), surgery images and parasites,
too. |
View
all topics
|
|
|
  |
 |
 |
 |
Ask
A Veterinarian A Question
online now!
|
Licensed and inspected
veterinary
pharmacy with
Rx and OTC pet medications |
Pet health insurance...
backed by the PurinaCare
brand name |
Everyone's going
Natural...
check out these great
pet products. |
Huge variety of pet foods,
fashions, and fun! Browse
the pet friendly aisles. |
Ask a question about
pet health care; your
satisfaction is guaranteed! |
|
|
View
all topics
|
|
View
all topics
|
Question:
My 7 year old Airedale has had
a chronic ear infection for over 2 years and we just can't get it to clear
up and stay cleared up.
Antibiotics orally and topically, ear cultures,
flushes, drying agents and even some holistic treatments only work for a
few weeks. Is there anything we can do to eliminate this
infection? The other ear has been normal. |
Answer: ear
infection... chronic otitis... what to do
Assuming
your veterinarian has checked your dog's ear
canal with an otoscope to be
certain there is no foreign matter deep in the canal, or polyps, folds or
tumors, it may be
time to consider surgery to open the ear canal to allow exposure to the
air.
Often in chronic cases there is a foreign body, polyp, or even a tumor
that obstructs the canal
and predisposes the ear to long term infection. The longer the
stresses to ear tissues continues the more inflammation causes swelling
and scar tissue buildup. Finally
there is such anatomical changes that no medication... oral or topical...
that will correct the problem.
Ask your veterinarian for a referral to a surgeon
who had done the Lateral Ear Canal Resection procedure. The surgeon
will go over the medical history, examine your dog, and make a suggestion
regarding the expected benefits of the surgery.
|
|
|
To learn about ear cleaner otitis
and how to clean a dog's ears, go
here
|
|
|
Tell your friends about this site! |
|
This
site including all images are copyright of T J Dunn, DVM.
You may copy
only the text of questions and
answers for your own non-commercial use.
Images can be requested or purchased through
VeterinaryMedicalImages.com. |
View
all topics |
|
