Ear Problems in Pets – Most Common Causes and Symptoms

Canines and felines normally suffer from number of ear problems. If you find your dog or cat is constantly scratching their ears or shaking their head continuously with a smelly odor, then definitely your canine or feline is suffering from an ear problem.

Ear problem is a single more general issue that veterinary offices come across and tackle. Most of the ear problems in pets involve outer ear canals unlike the conditions in humans, where problem in middle and inner ear is common.  

Normally, canines and felines face ear problems taking the form of infections. While the younger pets are prone to ear mites due to contact with other infected animals, the adult pets have infections due to yeast and bacteria. This is the outcome of excessive wax gathered into pet’s ear canal due to its complex structure. Not limited to this, moisture, allergies due to pollen or other plant materials, food sensitivities, mange apart from immune and hormonal diseases are some of the factors for ear problems in pets.

There are different reasons for ear problems in canines and felines

• Ear mites
• Ear fungal infection
• Bacterial infections
• Associated with allergic skin conditions
• Excessive wax production
• Excessive water in the ear canal
• Foreign material in the ear such as grass seeds, dirt or sand

The design of dogs and cats’ ear canal is somewhat responsible for ear problems. They have an “L”-shaped ear canal, which easily accumulates and locks wax, debris and moisture within the ear. The long floppy ears of canines and felines accumulate this build-up material, and it has no space to come out easily by itself. Moreover, as the inside of the ears do not receive much air circulation, the ear canal gets humid which acts as a favorable breeding ground for bacteria and yeast. Thus, your pet suffers from an ear problem, which is an uncomfortable condition for them to bear.

Canines and felines face different types of ear problems. Ear blood blister scientifically known as aural hematoma is one of them found in canines and not so often in felines. This condition develops as tiny blood vessels under the skin of the ear bleed. With no perfect cause, it is normally associated with pets shaking their heads constantly. Apart from aural hematoma, ear infection due to ear mites is the most common problem found in pets.

Through various symptoms, pet parents can easily recognize whether their furry friend is suffering from ear problem or not.

Most common signs are

• Scratching one or two ears constantly
• Shaking their head
• A head tilt
• Smelly ears
• Redness and inflammation of the ear flap and canal
• A discharge from the ear
• Painful ears when touched
• Stumbling and circling to one side

With the visible symptoms, pet parents need to take their lovable companions to the vet’s office for diagnosing the cause of ear problems. A vet carries on diagnosis through visual examination and microscopic examination. A small amount of substance from inside the ear is scrutinized microscopically and the cause of it is determined. Once a vet detects and finds the possible reason, then proper treatment is directed.

Chronic ear problems are most common in dogs and cats. Finding the underlying cause and treating the pets accordingly is the easy way out of aural issues. Furthermore, following ear care in pets, most of these chronic ear issues can be kept at bay helping pets to have painless ears.