Ear disease can be a serious issue with our pets. But proper care and maintenance can minimize the possibility of getting an infection in the first place.

Preventing Ear Disease

The key to healthy ears is to keep them clean. Check your pet’s ears weekly. A slight amount of waxy buildup may be present in normal ears. If your dog swims a lot, has pendulous ears or a history of ear disease, routine cleaning (often once to three times per week) is recommended. Use the same procedure as described above. Excess hair around the ear can be clipped to allow more air flow. Treat any underlying condition that predisposes your pet to ear problems.

Signs Of Ear Disease

• bad odors coming from your pet’s ear
• continual rubbing or scratching on or near the pet’s ear(s)
• redness or swelling appearing in the ear flap or canal
• discharges coming from your pet’s ear
• when a pet shakes or tilts his head to one side
• when a pet indicates pain around the ears
• when a pet’s behavior changes to depression or irritability

How Ear Disease Develops

Ear disease and infections can develop from a number of causes. Included are:

• ear mites and other parasites
• bacterial and yeast microorganisms
• allergies
• foreign bodies
• hormonal abnormalities
• trauma
• hereditary
• trauma

Ear disease is one of the most common conditions seen in pets. Remember, don’t delay in contacting your veterinarian. If your pet has a ruptured or weakened eardrum, some ear cleansers and medications could do more harm than good.

For further information on cleaning your pet’s ears, click HERE

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Wright Animal Hospital is affiliated with Animal Specialty Services of Cook County. To visit the Animal Specialty Services website and view some of Dr. Drazner’s research papers, click HERE

The National Animal Poison Control Center’s 24 Hour Emergency Phone Number Is:
1-800-548-2423
(The NAPCC is located at the University of Illinois and there is a charge of  $30 per case, billable to your credit card. To charge to your phone, call
1-900-680-0000
You will be charged $20 for the first five minutes and $2.95 for each additional minute.))