One of the most common ailments pets suffer from is ear infections. This is why it’s important to check your pet’s ears regularly. You can examine your pet's ears regardless of their shape. This examination can reveal symptoms of mites and ear infections, among other issues. At Integrative Veterinary Therapies, P.C. in Ridge, NY, we care about the health of your pet. We provide routine ear checks for pets and will treat ear infections or other issues.
Ear Infection Symptoms
If you notice any of the following symptoms of pet ear infections, it's prudent to visit our veterinarian for assessment and treatment.
- Ear discharge: An infection in the ear may result in discharge from the inner or middle ear. Your pet could have ear mites if the discharge is brown or purple and smells like coffee. The little creatures can attack and consume the wax and grease between your pet's ears, causing it to be painful or create an infection. If ear mites are not successfully eradicated, harm to the eardrum may occur.
- Scratching: While occasional ear scratching is not often problematic, when your pet can't control its scratching habit, it should concern you. Constantly scraping and scratching at the ears can lead to bleeding and infections.
- Redness in the ears: This may be accompanied by hot ears and is a sign of infection.
- Bad odor: Infected pet ears can let out bad odor.
- Head shaking: Pets with infected ears shake their heads to get rid of the uncomfortable sensation.
Minimizing Ear Infections
To prevent ear infections, it is important to check and clean your pet’s ears regularly. If you have a cat, you don’t have to worry about this. Almost all cats clean their ears themselves throughout the day.
However, it is vital to clean your dog’s ears. Your dog can greatly benefit from having its ears cleaned now and then. Some dogs are more prone to ear infections and may need more frequent cleanings. This includes dogs with big, floppy ears.
Gently insert a cotton ball or clean gauze in your pet's ear to pick out dirt and debris. You should clean only that portion of the ear you can see. Do not use a cotton swab, as it will put your pet's ear canal at risk of the swab slipping into the ear or pushing the wax deeper into the ear canal.
Schedule an Appointment for Pet Ear Care
Just like humans, pets also suffer pain and discomfort when they have ear infections. Although they can't talk, pets have their own cues that can signal an issue. To be safe, check your pet's ears regularly for any abnormalities. If you observe anything that you don't understand, the best thing to do is to reach out to our vet. At Integrative Veterinary Therapies, P.C. in Ridge, NY, we will diagnose and treat ear infections in your pet. This may include drops or topical medications. Call us today to schedule an appointment.