How to Treat your Dog or Cat for Ear Infections
Treating your Dog or Cat for Ear Infections Have you ever had an annoying itch that you just couldn't bear to stand? Imagine how your four-legged friend must feel whenever he or she experiences an ear infection (also known as otisis), but has no way of pawing it away right away through the use of like fingers.
An ear infection occurs whenever unusually high numbers of bacteria and yeast cells penetrate into the ear. This can happen in a number of ways. Having a large buildup of earwax, being held in humid conditions, experiencing an overabundance of ear cleaning treatments, and innately, already harbouring endocrine illnesses can all contribute to your pet's otitis.
Ear Infection in Dogs
In dogs, there are certain types that experience ear infections more because of their: (a) susceptibilty to allergies (b) particular type of skin or glands located in the ear canal, and (c) predisposition to otitis due to the type and amount of hair present in their little ear canals.
Such types of dogs that are susceptible to ear disease include:
For group (a)
Cocker Spaniels
Labrador Retrievers
Schnauzers
West Highland Terriers
For group (b)
Basset Hounds
Beagles
Labradors
Springer Spaniels
Beagles
Labradors
Springer Spaniels
For group (c)
Lhasa Apsos
Pekingese
Poodles
Shih Tzus
Pekingese
Poodles
Pekingese
Poodles
Shih Tzus
Pekingese
Poodles
Ear Infection in Cats
Some cats may be more prone to developing ear infections than others. For example, cats with allergies, excess moisture in their ears, abnormal ear structure, significant amounts of hair within their ears, or tumors may be more likely to develop otitis. Occasionally, ear infections are a sign of another condition, such as a hormonal abnormality or a hereditary disease.
Symptoms of Ear Infections in your Dog
Irritability in behaviour
Listlessness
Redness and swelling of the ear flap and canal
Release of an odorous discharge that is either yellowish or black in color
Rubbing of the sides of their head on the ground, furniture, or other objects
Scratching and pawing at their ears
Shaking of their head and ears
Smelly ears
When ear infections go untreated, it can cause narrowing of the ear canal which can lead to hearing loss. When the nerves of the inner ear are affected by an infection, your pet may become dizzy, tilt it's head to one side, walk in circles, and display unusual eye movements referred to as nystagmus.
Ear Mites
Ear mites are pesky little insects that can infect your dog or cat. They are external parasites and will live on the body and in the ears of canines, although they most frequently infect the ears. The type of ear mite that most commonly affects dogs is classified as otodectes cynotis and is similar to a tiny tick.
Symptoms of Ear Mite Infestation
Dark discharge from the ears consisting of earwax, blood, biochemicals, and the actual ear mites
Ear Wax
Scratches and sores already present in and around their ears
Scratching and/or rubbing at their ears Shaking of the ears Shaking of the head
*Note for your dog:
Although shaking and scratching are the most typical warning signs that canines with ear mites display, these parasites can still be present even in a dog that does not show these signs and behaviors. It is believed that this can occur because the intense itching sensation results from a hypersensitivity reaction to the presence of the ear mites. Dogs that do not experience this hypersensitivity reaction will not suffer from the troublesome itching symptoms that other dogs do. Yet, it does seem that the majority of infected canines do indeed suffer from severe itching and thus will shake and scratch at their head and ears.
If your dog or cat is experiencing any type of ear irritation, try using PetWellbeing's all-natural herbal remedies to do the cure:
Get rid of the pesky mites on either your dog or cat by using an all-natural herbal solution. The natural herbs found in Feline Ear Clear Drops help to fight viral infections, anxiety and depression. It also acts as a disinfectant, while getting rid of those pesky pests.
Echo Gold is an effective, natural tonic remedy. It contains powerful herbal antibiotic and anti-inflammatory agents to fight your canine's or feline's ear infections and restore calm and comfort to him or her.
Labels: dog cat ear irritation mites canine feline dogs cats disease illness ears scratching itching
