Ear Infections

One of the most common ailments that brings pets to the clinic is ear infections. This is often recognized at home by scratching of the ears or shaking heads. Sometimes the inside of the ear canal will look red and swollen and there can also be an odor coming from the ear.

While ear infections are typically itchy and uncomfortable at most, they can progress to being quite painful and make our pets very miserable. Some can have hearing changes and some will resist pets to the head or seem depressed. The infection can also progress to the middle ear and affect their balance and ability to eat and drink.

In puppies and kittens, ear mites are a common cause of ear issues. They cause dark brown/black discharge and make the pet incredibly itchy. Adult pets get ear infections most commonly from allergies (environmental or food), but they can also occur after swimming or a bath. Tumors, foreign objects, genetics, and endocrine disorders can also play a role in ear issues. While any dog can develop an infection, certain breeds are more predisposed to infections due to the shape of their ear canals and ear flaps.

Most simple infections are treated medically, after the ear canal and ear drum have been visualized and a sample of the discharge has been evaluated under a microscope. While the infection is often caused by an underlying issue (mites, allergies, tumors, etc.), the type of infection is usually bacteria, yeast, or a combination. The ear is often treated by cleaning out the debris and using a topical ear medication to kill bacteria, yeast, or mites as determined by the microscopic analysis. The medication will also often include an anti-inflammatory to soothe the ear canal. If the ear drum is found to be ruptured, typically oral medication is used instead of topical.  

If the ear issue is not resolved with medication, or if it recurs, further evaluation is warranted. This can include culturing the discharge from the ear, performing X-rays or CT scans, or even blood work to look for underlying endocrine disorders or systemic illnesses. If allergies are suspected, allergy medications and/or a diet change are often considered.

In rare cases, surgery is considered. This is typically reserved for pets with tumors or polyps, or those with refractory infections. These procedures can be complicated and are not considered lightly. There are post operative risks to be aware of and the underlying conditions still need to be addressed. 

Regardless of the cause, it is important to follow treatment instructions closely and rechecks as directed by your veterinarian. Ear infections can be a frustrating condition to treat, especially when allergies or intractable infections are at play. Staying on top of these problems can help to mitigate the discomfort and damage that infections can cause.