Pets are vulnerable to ear infections like humans, but some breeds are more at risk than others. Statistics show that 20% of pets with floppy ears are more susceptible than others. Fortunately, pet ear infections are treatable. Our veterinarians at TLC Animal Hospital will treat your pet’s ear infections to keep them happy and healthy. It’s also important to understand pet ear infections to know when it’s time to bring your pet to our animal hospital.
Types of Ear Infections
There are typically three types of pet ear infections. They include:
Otitis externa: The infection occurs in your pet’s outer ear, where the cells lining the outer ear canal become inflamed. Otitis externa is the most common ear infection in pets due to the outer ear’s exposure to the environment.
Otitis media: The ear infection happens when the middle ear becomes inflamed.
Otitis interna: It’s inflammation of the inner ear.
Signs of Pet Ear Infections
So how do you tell your pet has an ear infection? There are signs and symptoms you can spot, and seek veterinarian intervention. These include:
Scratching: If your pet is rubbing its ears excessively, your animal may have an ear infection. Ear infections cause itchiness and discomfort, prompting pawing at the ear.
Head-shaking: When your pet starts shaking its head, it’s an indicator of pain that could result from an ear infection.
Ear discharge: Ear discharge is also a red flag that could indicate an ear infection.
Inflamed or red ears: Ear infections often cause swelling and redness. Check your pet’s ears for any form of irritation.
Lousy odor: Pet ear infections usually cause a strong and unpleasant smell.
Causes of Pet Ear Infections
Most pet ear infections are caused by bacteria, fungi, or ear mites in puppies. However, certain factors predispose your pet to ear infections. These include:
Allergies
Moisture
Physical injuries
Tumors
A foreign object stuck in the ear
Pet Ear Infections Treatment
After diagnosing the root cause of your ear infection and depending on the cause and severity of the ear infection, our vets may use treatment methods like:
Professional ear cleaning
Medicated ear drops and antibiotics
Flushing out the ear
Foreign object removal
Surgery as the last resort
Visit Us for Pet Ear Care
It’s important to know that ear infections in pets can be mild or chronic and can even affect one or both ears. If your pet is suffering from an ear infection, book an appointment with our veterinarian at TLC Animal Hospital for pet ear infection treatment. We also offer other pet care services for pets in El Paso, TX.
