Ear infections are common in dogs and cats of all ages, breeds,
and environments. The ear canal is divided into three sections:
externa โ external canal; media โ middle canal; and interna โ
internal canal. Ear infections may occur in any or all of these
sections, and can be caused by a number of influences.
Depending on the cause of the infection, there are several
preventative treatments such as application of corticosteroids
like Mometamax solution for
dogs, and treatments indicated for recovery.
Commonly, ear infections in dogs and cats are caused by
parasites, such as fleas and
mites; environmental conditions, such as extreme heat; foreign
objects, such as plant particles; and allergies. Other possible causes include
fungus, build-up of dead skin cells, wax, moisture, fur
blockage, autoimmune disease, yeast, and reaction to
medication. Any irritation to the ear can cause the dog or cat
to scratch. If the animal breaks the skin, and bacteria from
the nails invades the abrasion, infection is possible. As the
ear canal is most often obscured by earflaps and or fur, ear
infections may begin undetected, but can quickly become a more
serious problem.
Prevention of Ear Infections
As there are so many possible causes, ear infections cannot be
universally prevented. It is important to routinely check the
ear canals for infection and keep them free of debris. However,
nothing, including Q-tips, should ever be poked into the ear
canal because it can push debris further inside, causing
inflammation and possible infection. It can also damage the
eardrum, resulting in possible hearing problems and pain.
Keeping the canals free of waxy build-up and parasites can
positively affect ear health, but be wary of caustic cleansing
liquids, as they can be damaging to your pet's health. Several
over-the-counter products available are safe and effective for
routine ear cleansing. Keeping an eye on your petโs ear canals
and good hygiene will help prevent ear infections from further
damage to the ears.
Ear Infection Tests Explained
Typically, a veterinarian will be able to tell whether your dog
or cat has an ear infection just by looking into the ear
canals. Common symptoms of ear infections are usually easily
visible to a veterinarian with the proper tools. It may be
necessary for your veterinarian to take blood samples and
perform allergy tests to determine the cause, along with
testing the infection discharge for fungus, yeast, bacteria,
and parasites. In rare cases, x-rays, CT scans and MRIs may be
necessary to determine any damage. Any of these tests may
require the dog or cat to be sedated or put under anesthesia.
Common symptoms of ear infections include hearing loss,
inflammation, redness, irritation, discharge, and odor. If the
irritation causes skin breakage, scabs may be visible near the
earflap. Hair loss around the ear can indicate infection, and
may be caused by scratching the affected area. There are many
behavioral symptoms of ear infections, and can be obvious
indicators that your pet needs veterinarian attention; darting
eye movement, pushing affected ear on the furniture or floor,
walking in circles and shaking head as if trying to get water
out of ears.
Often as the first round of cat or dog ear infection medicine, a
veterinarian recommends is a course of systemic or topical
corticosteroids. Steroids used in addition to antibiotics, like
Tresaderm and Osurnia gel for dogs, are a quick and
effective way to reduce swelling and keep bacteria at bay. If
the infection does not subside, the veterinarian may be able to
rule out root causes and move onto anti-fungal medications, and
perhaps recommend ear flushing with vinegar and water. In cases
of major obstruction or tumors, surgical removal may be the
only viable option.
Causes of Ear Infections in Dogs and Cats
Because ear
infections are common in dogs and cats of all ages,
breeds, and environments, it is important to be aware of the
causal factors. The ear canal is divided into three sections,
externa โ external canal, media โ middle canal, and interna โ
internal canal. Otitis means inflammation of the ear. The root
term Otic refers to the ear, while โitis indicates
inflammation. Combined, as Otitis externa, the term indicates
inflammation of the external ear. Some factors may cause
infections in all three parts of the ear canal, while others
tend to stick to one or two areas. Most infections are highly
treatable using medications such as Tresaderm antibiotic
solution and Baytril
topical solution for dogs, once they are detected.
Ear Mites, fleas, and ticks
The most common cause of infected ears in pups and kittens
is ear mites. It is very
common for them to contract the ear mites from their mother during
initial bonding stages of nursing and care. At first, the mites
may be invisible to the naked eye, but after a few months, the
mites can be spotted by their discharge, very small dots,
brownish in color. Ear mites irritate the skin lining of the
ear canal, and can cause the skin to thicken, decreasing the
canal diameter, and possibly increasing the likelihood for
foreign particles to become trapped.
There are four main kinds of infecting ear mites, Otodectes,
Notoedres, Sarcoptic mange and Demodex. Otodectes and Notoedres
are both tiny, and spider-like, and they live in or on the
skin, typically around the media canal. Demodex and Sarcoptic
Mange mites, however, cause infection of the external flap of
the ear, avoiding the ear canal. These mites bite and burrow
into the skin, causing intense skin irritation and
inflammation.
Fleas and ticks are similar to ear mites, in
that they can infect the media canal and the external ear flap,
by biting and living as parasites on the dog or cat. Fleas
carry bacteria that can infect an abrasion caused by the animal
scratching the irritating bite, while ticks attach to the
animal, and can pass bacteria directly to the blood. Ticks and
fleas can cause allergic reactions, inflaming the skin around
the bites, causing the ear canals to become blocked.
Environmental Causes
It is common that the environment of the dog or cat can
influence whether the animal is prone to ear infections.
Extreme heat can lead to infection, by providing the perfect
grounds for bacteria or yeast to grow rampantly. Both bacteria
and yeast respond to increased temperature with rapid growth.
Foreign particles from the environment, such as plant
particles, dirt, or water can cause irritation to all parts of
the ear canal if deep enough. The animalโs body responds to the
foreign object by swelling, which can create blockage, and
hearing loss, while also possibly becoming infected from
scratching. Allergies can be a factor in whether
the animal is prone to ear infections. If a particle comes into
contact with the ear canal, and the animal is allergic, the
particle may cause the skin to become inflamed and infected.
Fungus and Yeast
If yeast or fungus particles make it into the ear canal, they
can thrive and grow. The dark, moist, and warm area creates an
ideal environment for growth. The growth of yeast or fungus
results in a clogged, itchy ear canal, which then can become
inflamed and infected from scratching or irritation. Yeast
infections and fungal infections are more commonly found in
cats than dogs.
Skin cells, Wax or Hair Build-up, and Abrasion
Skin cells, wax, and hair can fall into the ear canal, causing
a build-up to occur. This forms a sort of plug, which can
contain bacteria or fungus. If the skin around the build-up
becomes inflamed from the blockage, the ear can become
infected. The animal can feel the blockage and often will
scratch the ear rapidly. This abrasive reaction to the annoying
feeling in the ear can result in broken skin on the external
canal, which can easily become infected if bacteria from nails
enter the broken skin.
Cancer or Tumor
Sometimes an infection of the ear can be caused by malignant or
benign tumors in the canal. The blockage they cause may cause
irritation to the skin, which causes the animal to scratch. The
area can become infected from the bacteria in the nails.
This information is for informational
purposes only and is not meant as a substitute for the
professional advice of, or diagnosis or treatment by, your
veterinarian with respect to your pet. It has, however, been
verified by a licensed veterinarian for accuracy.