In my last article, we discussed airborne allergies and the skin problems they cause. Today, we will be focusing on the ears.
Ear infections are no fun for pets or their owners. These infections often leave pets feeling uncomfortable and pet owners worried. Understanding how ear infections develop and the symptoms they cause helps pet owners take a proactive approach, ensuring timely treatment while avoiding prolonged discomfort or complications. Unfortunately, many pet owners have misconceptions about ear infections which can lead to our furry friends suffering longer than they need to.
In this blog, I'll dive into ear infections in dogs and cats, and explain why allergies are often the root of the cause. Let’s get started.
Understanding Pet Ear Infections
The Anatomy of Our Pets’ Ears
One of the first challenges in understanding ear infections in cats and dogs is that people tend to compare them to human ear infections. In humans, infections typically occur inside the eardrum, affecting the middle or inner ear chambers (also known as otitis media or otitis interna.) These infections are often caused by fluids seeping through a tear in the eardrum or spreading via the bloodstream.
In pets, however, ear infections are usually affecting the ear canal itself rather than the eardrum. This condition is known as otitis externa. The ear canals of both cats and dogs are much longer than those of humans - ranging from two to ten times longer! Their ear canal also makes a near 90-degree turn as it reaches the outer ear. This longer, angled canal provides an ideal environment for the buildup of wax or debris, which can lead to inflammation and secondary infection.
How Allergens Create the Conditions for Ear Infections
When allergens like pollen, mold, or other environmental particles irritate your pet, the skin of the ear canal reacts. Allergic pets will often scratch at their ears, rub their ears on the furniture or the floor, and shake their heads. This causes trauma or tiny tears to the skin barrier of the ear canal, allowing the bacteria and yeast that normally inhabit the skin to multiply. These pathogens can then migrate deeper into the skin of the ear canal leading to an established infection.
Recognizing Ear Infections In Pets
Ear infections can vary in severity, but there are several common signs that your pet may be suffering from one. If you notice any of the following symptoms, it's important to seek veterinary care:
- Scratching of the ear or around the ear
- Brown, yellow, or bloody discharge from the ear
- Odor in the ear
- Redness or scabs in or around the ear
- Hair loss around the ear
- Rubbing of the ear and surrounding area on the floor or furniture
- Head shaking or head tilt
- Loss of balance
- Unusual eye movements
- Walking in circles
- Hearing loss
Treating Ear Infections in Cats and Dogs
As with skin infections, the first step is to address the underlying allergy. There are several options for managing allergies in pets including new oral medications and long-acting monoclonal antibody injections.
Next, your veterinarian will typically take swabs from the ear canal and examine them under a microscope. This allows us to identify the types of bacteria and/or yeast present, as well as the relative amounts of each. This step is important for two reasons:
1. It helps us choose the most appropriate treatment plan.
2. It helps us identify whether antibiotic-resistant bacteria (superbugs) may be present. If a pet's infection doesn't respond to treatment, the samples can be cultured to identify any resistant strains, guiding further treatment.
After treatment has commenced, your veterinarian may recommend rechecking the ears 2-4 weeks later to ensure the infection is resolving and no antibiotic-resistant bacteria are present. This recheck is critical to preventing complications, such as infections spreading to the inner ear, which may require surgical intervention.
Prevention Is Key
Just as with skin infections, the key to managing ear infections is prevention. If your pet is treated early and consistently for its underlying allergies, the likelihood of developing an ear infection decreases significantly. Being proactive is crucial, so be sure to discuss safe and effective options for managing your pet's allergies and ear health with your veterinarian.
Check out Part Three of this series, where I will discuss Food Allergies.
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