Ear Problems in our Pets

Our pets’ ears come in many shapes and sizes, and nature has done a pretty great job of featuring ear designs that keep foreign objects out.  However, when common pests like ear mites or fungal infections such as ear canker get deep within our pets’ ears, we need to step in and give them a little help.

What are Ear Mites?

Ear mites are common pests that can become a problem for dogs, cats, and other house pets. The species of ear mite that most often bothers our pets is called Otodectes cynotis, and is transferred between animals through direct contact (hopping between animals).  Mites cause a very upsetting ear infection, which can progress to a secondary bacteria or fungal infection.

What is Ear Canker?

Ear canker is a fungal disease that causes inflammation and infection in the ear and auditory canal.  Dogs, cats, rabbits and other animals with long droopy ears or quite a bit of hair in their ears can trap plant and dirt debris within the ear canal.  A canker infection emerges when these organic substances combine with moisture.  The infection can produce dark and foul smelling discharge.  Like ear mites, this infection cause pets pain and irritation.

How would I know if my pet has an ear problem?

Dogs, cats, and other house pets can get ear mites and ear canker.  An animal will begin showing signs of ear discomfort.  They may shake their head more often, whine when they scratch their ear, scratch their ears more often, or find ways to rub the side of their head.  Their ear may have a bad smell, have dark discharge or pus, or even begin to bleed.  If you see these symptoms, take your pet to the vet.  Ear infections need immediate attention.  The vet will examine your pet’s ears with an otoscope, and in most cases they may swab a sample of the discharge and examine it under a microscope to see if mites are the source of infection

Some bacteria are resistant to certain antibiotics, and your vet may prescribe a particular antibiotic or prescription medication to take care of the problem.  In many cases, an over the counter medication will work perfectly.

Over the Counter Medications for Treatment and Prevention

We carry a few over the counter preventative and treatment options for both ear canker and ear mites.

These ear canker drops are used for the treatment of both ear canker and ear mites.  The solution clears up infection, relieves itch and works on eliminating bad odors.  The formula is gentle and will not sting even in ears that are fairly cracked and sore.

Preventing ear mites and ear infection can be done by keeping your pet groomed, using spot treatments for other parasites like fleas and ticks, and by drying out their ears after a bath or swim.  Here are some great products to help:

This lotion ear spray solution is used for dogs and cats to help dry out ears and keep them clean.  For dogs like basset hounds who have large long ears where the inner ear can’t easily dry on its own, a spray like this is ideal to have on hand to keep infections from starting.

Advocate and Revolution for cats and dogs are monthly spot-on treatments for adult fleas, flea eggs, flea larvae, dermatitis, control of ear mites, mange, and control or prevention of other pests.

Seeing our pet in such discomfort from their ears is definitely frustrating, but solving these infections can be done within a short time.  Ear mite infections and the intense itching can likely be resolved within a month.  The earlier the treatment, the sooner the infection will likely be resolved.  Be careful when treating the inside of your pet’s ears at home.  Avoid using cotton swabs anywhere other than the very outside region of the ear.  A cotton ball moistened with our ear solution is the best way to go to clean the outside of the ear.

If you have any questions about your pet’s ears, please drop us a note!

webmd.com/pets
wormsandgermsblog
caninefirst-aid.com

Reasons to Go, Costs to Consider, Communicating with a Vet

A healthy pet requires teamwork; everyone in the family must pitch in and take some responsibility in the pet’s health, and this definitely includes your veterinarian.  Sometimes finding a new vet, like a new family doctor, can be intimidating.  Sometimes visiting the vet makes us nervous.  This post will look into some important considerations regarding vet care.

Reasons to Visit Your Vet

All of your pets: dogs, cats, horses, rabbits etc should have an annual exam with a vet even in perfect health.  Weight, temperature, dental checks, fur, skin, and ears are a number of things that doctors like to assess every year.  Vaccinations are also administered at this time, and heart worm and flea/tick prevention plans are discussed during this time.

If your pet is sick or injured, you should definitely see a vet, but the appointment may go a little differently than the routine check-up.  Be sure to convey all symptoms.  Blood tests, x-rays, urinalysis, ultrasounds, and faecal exams are just some of the extra diagnostic tests that you should be prepared for.

Surgery: only a vet can perform surgery, and this includes spaying and neutering.

If your pet has a behavioural problem (aggression, obsessive behaviours, nervous habits, barking, etc) then you should go see a vet.  They are educated in neurology to assess and treat these behaviours.

Expected Costs

This is a primary concern with many pet owners.  Veterinary care does not compare in costs with human care for similar concerns and treatments.  Costs have varied very little in the past twenty years and not forecasted to increase dramatically anytime soon.  Also consider that a vet isn’t only a primary care physician, but a surgeon, dentist, dermatologist, cardiologist, neurologist, pharmacist, and the list keeps going.  They are a one-stop shop for your pet’s health care normally.  Vets guide you in product and service choices, but will not force anything on you that you are not financially capable of paying for.

Communication

Communication with a vet is key.  For the owner that brings in a sick pet to the vet, they must communicate the symptoms effectively, and leave understanding what the vet explained and all of the procedures.

Veterinarians exist to provide the same amount of care and concern as you have for your pet, and they are equipped with the knowledge and expertise to take on an almost innumerable array of issues and treatments, so don’t feel like you are burdening a vet with all of your questions and concerns.  You are getting the most out of your money by taking your time with the doctor and talking things through. Just because they know the technical medical school jargon doesn’t mean that you are expected to know what they mean.

Tips before you go:

• Schedule an appointment and be on time
• Bring in a fresh stool / urine sample if requested
• Arrive 15 minutes early
• Bring past records if this is a first-time visit
• Write down questions ahead of time
• Bring a list of current medications and note your pet’s diet
• Don’t let your pet toilet before they walk in. The vet may need a sample.

<!–[endif]–>Coming into summer fleas can be become a problem in any household, so prevention can be the most effective means of ensuring your pet doesn’t become a flea breeding ground. Fleas are small, brown, wingless insects of between 2-6mm in length, using their hind legs to jump and they thrive in our spring & summer conditions. Fleas have a staged lifecycle so the pupae (cocoon stage) can survive months without hatching or feeding so even if you’ve just moved into a new house or haven’t had a problem through winter it’s time to take preventative measures.

<!–[if !vml]–><!–[endif]–>

(The flea life cycle, www.myvet.co.nz/images/flealifecycle.jpg)

There are a number of flea treatments you can use on pet usually in monthly applications (ie. Frontline Plus, Advantage, Capstar, etc.) These products break the flea breeding cycle by killing adult fleas. Females can lay 20-50 eggs per day and these eggs don’t necessarily stay on your pet, they often fall onto carpet, pet bedding and other bedding (anywhere you pet lays regularly) so your pet an easily become infested. Flea bites are extremely irritating so if you notice your pet scratching more than usual (I notice this especially with my dogs and cats) you can part their fur around the ears and rump and look for actual fleas or flea poo (dark specks close to the skin). You can identify flea poo by placing some on a piece of tissue and adding a drop of water, if it is indeed flea poo you will find a blood (reddy brown) colour will leech into the tissue as flea poo is essentially digested blood from your pet. On dogs fleas tend to run riot on the belly/underside near legs and close to the top of the tail, and on cats often around the neck area or near the collar and ears.

Apart from treating your pet directly with a product such as Frontline Plus etc. it is also important to ensure you wash your pets bedding (this is anywhere your pet sleeps/lays regularly) and vacuum carpets. Brushing your pet with a fine tooth comb in combination with an applied treatment can also be beneficial as it removes any dead fleas and any remaining eggs. There are also products such as flea sprays/bombs that can be used in outdoor areas like kennels and yards, to kill larvae & pupae. So help you pet enjoy summer too and start preventative flea treatment now.