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Focus on Animal
Health: Ear Disease in Dogs and Cats
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by Laurie S. Coger, DVM,
CVCP
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Ear problems are among the
most common reasons for veterinary visits. Unlike human ear problems,
where earaches involving the middle and inner ear are common, most ear
problems in pets involve the outer or external ear canals.
While younger pets are more commonly afflicted with ear mites, older
pets usually have infections caused by yeasts or bacteria. These can
result from excessive wax in the ears, excess moisture, allergies, food
sensitivities, mange, immune diseases and hormonal diseases such as
thyroid and adrenal disease. Ear hematomas (a kind of blood blister in
the flap part of the ear, caused by excessive shaking or scratching)
can occur in pets of any age, although most of my patients with ear
hematomas are middle-aged and older.
Some pets are more prone to ear diseases, particularly infections.
Those breeds with large floppy ears, such as Spaniels, and those prone
to allergies, such as Terriers and Retrievers, seem to have more
infections than other breeds. Regular ear cleaning using non-medicated
cleansers such as herbal ear rinses containing tea tree oil, peppermint
oil or eucalyptus oil, (all of which are available at the Co-op) are
particularly helpful in reducing ear odor and infections.
Ear disease is usually diagnosed by visual and microscopic examination
of a small amount of the material in the ear. After determining the
cause, the proper therapy can be prescribed.
Treating ear infections requires topical therapy with either
conventional medications or natural remedies. Treatment must continue
for enough time to make sure the infection has cleared. Before
treatment, it's important that your pet's ears are thoroughly cleaned.
Clean ears allow you to medicate the ears, not the excess wax and dirt.
If the ears are dirty, your attempts to treat them at home will be less
successful.
In addition to traditional medications, natural therapies can help
control ear infections. Olive leaf extract is a wonderful supplement
for immune support. Echinacea and goldenseal may also be helpful. Many
herbal ear care products, containing tea tree oil, eucalyptus, aloe and
other oils in a non-alcohol base, do a great job of keeping ears clean
and limiting overgrowth of yeast or bacteria.
An important aspect of treating ear infections is determining if an
underlying cause is present. While true food allergies are rare,
inappropriate diets for dogs and cats are not. Feeding an animal a food
that is appropriate for the pet's biology often improves or eliminates
recurring ear infections. Other health issues such as thyroid or
adrenal disease can affect ears and skin, and should be considered in
any pet with chronic infections. Most patients with ear disease respond
quickly to therapy with topical medications, immune support and natural
antimicrobials. With supportive care, proper diet, addressing any
underlying cause and judicious use of medications, even chronic cases
can be handled easily.
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