Ear Infections In Pets
Ear infections are the number one reason a pet comes into our clinic. The unique shape of a dog’s ear canal makes them more susceptible to ear infections. If dogs have floppy ears or love to swim, the risk for ear infections is elevated. City By The Sea Veterinary Hospital helps our patients in Asbury Park, NJ prevent and treat ear infections for their furry friends. If your pet gets an ear infection, we can help heal it quickly and easily. Contact us for more information.
What Causes Ear Infections in Dogs?
There are multiple reasons dogs get ear infections, including:
- Allergies – The leading cause of ear infections is pet allergies. When a dog has multiple ear infections, we recommend allergy testing. Dogs with food allergies and environmental allergies often suffer from numerous ear infections. (Should this link to the allergy page?)
- Yeast and Bacteria –We all have collections of microorganisms that are usually harmless and live on our skin’s surface. If the normal skin barrier of your pet is disrupted, it may become irritated and allow germs the perfect chance to grow. The overgrowth of yeast and bacteria often leads to an ear infection.
- Moist Ears –Yeast and bacteria love dark, moist places. Floppy-ear dogs often develop ear infections due to the moist-living space in their ears. Air easily flows into other types of ears, keeping them dry. Ears that flap trap moisture, encouraging bacteria to grow.
- As well as growths in the ear canal including masses, abnormal amounts of fur or even foreign objects.
Ear Infections Symptoms in Dogs
Symptoms of dog or cat ear infections include:
- Redness inside your pet’s ears
- Scratching their ears
- Shaking or tilting their head
- Yellow, brown, or bloody discharge
- Foul odors in the ears
- Rubbing ears on objects
- Swelling of the ear
- Crusty ears
- Loss of balance
Types of Canine Ear Infections
There are three types of ear infections in dogs and cats, including:
- Otitis Externa –The inflammation is in the layer of cells lining the external and outer portion of the ear canal.
- Otitis Media and Otitis Interna –These types of infections are in the middle and inner ear canals and often spread from the external ear. These advanced cases can be serious, leading to severe issues.
It’s important to seek treatment as soon as possible when your dog or cat has ear infection symptoms to help prevent severe cases.
Treatment for Ear Infections in Dogs and Cats
Our compassionate, experienced veterinary team will quickly give your pet relief from their ear infection. We’ll clean your dog or cat’s ear with medication and prescribe anti-inflammatory medication or antibiotics. If the ear infection is severe, it may be more challenging and require more attention. In most cases, we’ll simply walk you through the steps of administering medication to your pet for treatment. It’s crucial to finish the prescription, giving it a chance to completely clear.
Contact City By The Sea Veterinary Hospital
City By The Sea Veterinary Hospital is open Monday through Saturday to serve pet owners in Asbury Park, NJ. If your dog or cat is showing symptoms of an ear infection, contact us as soon as possible. Our caring team is here to diagnose and treat your pet. We’ll get them back to running and playing as soon as we can. We’ll treat your pets as our own with our comprehensive vet services. Contact us today!