FAQ

An ear infection is the result of a microorganism and microscopic parasites invading and successfully colonizing one or more canals of the ear. Bacteria, yeast and ear mite infections are the most common types. Many conditions can make a pet predisposed to ear infections including allergies, hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, autoimmune condition, genetical deformity, growth or tumors, trauma, ruptured ear drum etc. Foreign bodies or trapped moisture from swimming or bathing can also increase the risk of ear infections.

An ear problem is caused by:
  • Foreign body
  • Chigger
  • Ear mite
  • Tumor
  • Bacteria
  • Yeast
  • Food allergy
  • Wax plug
  • Excessive hair
  • Polyp
  • Soap and water
  • Some ear cleaners and ear treatments
  • Etc.

It is a good idea to check your pet’s ears regularly to catch any signs of infection. Watch your pet’s behavior for frequent head shaking or rubbing ears with paws or on objects. Observe the ear for any redness, sensitivity or odor. Note any buildup of debris inside the ear. Dark brown or black colored debris is a sign of infection; this may look like dirt but it is not.

Remember that the sooner an ear infection gets proper medical attention the more easily it can be treated with less suffering to the pet.

In some cases there are no obvious symptoms at all but here are some symptoms to look for:
  • Head shaking
  • Head tilt
  • Scratching the ear with paws or on other surfaces
  • Painful ears when touched
  • Redness or swelling of the ear
  • Hot or unusually warm ear
  • Discharge from the ear
  • An odor from the ear
  • Darker fur on rear paw from scratching infected ear
Other problems can be deeper down into the ear canals and would require a thorough exam by your veterinarian. If left untreated, these problems can cause chronic pain and infection leading to more obvious symptoms.

The sooner the better. Your pet will benefit the most from early treatment. The longer the problem exists in the ears, the more difficult it becomes to treat, and the more likely the problem will become chronic

To prevent pet ear problems it’s helpful to know some of the many causes to better avoid them.

Some of the most common reasons for ear problems include:

  • Water going in ears. Like when a pet gets a bath, or playing in the water in the yard, creek, lake, pond, beach etc.
  • Soapy water going in the ears while getting a bath at home or at the groomers.
  • Food allergies

Things to avoid:

  • Keep your pet away from foxtail fields.
  • Keep your pet away from other pets with ear mites.
  • Stay away from chigger infested areas.

Having routine pet ear exams can help catch ear problems early and prevent a more severe and chronic ear problem down the road.

The ears of dogs and cats are structural different from human ears. One of the most helpful things to know is the anatomy of your pet’s ear. Understanding the anatomy will help you better understand how problems effect the ear and why certain treatments may have been prescribed.

The outer ear is called the pinna and is commonly referred to as the ear flap. The pinna leads to the vertical ear canal. Humans do not have a vertical ear canal but in dogs and cats this canal goes straight down then makes a turn toward the nose and becomes the horizontal ear canal. The ear drum is located at the end of the horizontal ear canal. Behind the ear drum there is a middle ear and bubble-like structure surrounded by bone called the tympanic bulla. The bulla is another ear structure not as pronounced in the human ear.

Some ear problems such as tumors or polyps may not be preventable. Luckily there are some things that owners can do to help prevent other ear problems.
  • Water getting caught in the ear from water activities and baths can encourage bacteria and yeast growth. Make sure to thoroughly dry your pet’s ears after these activities. Water going in the ear is not a problem but water staying in the ear canal is a problem. Ear drying solutions can help to dry the ear and reduce potential problems from excess moisture.
  • Food allergies cause excess moisture and inflammation in the ear. If you suspect that your pet may have a food allergy discuss this concern with your veterinarian.
  • Foxtails can penetrate anywhere on your pet and the ear is no exception. In fact we commonly find foxtails in our patient’s ears. Keep your yard free of the grass that produces foxtails and do not let your pet play in any area where they are present. Freshly cut weeds from your yard should be disposed of promptly since this is a common way foxtails get inside your pet’s ears.
  • Ear mites are contagious from pet to pet. Keep your pet away from any other animal that has ear mites. Outdoor cats are at a higher risk for ear mites due to their exposure to other cats. Regularly monitor your outdoor cat’s ears for any signs of ear mites.
  • Chiggers are most common in early summertime and can be found in grass and other vegetation. Keep your pet away from areas known to harbor chiggers and stay on trails while hiking.
  • Once you do notice any signs of a potential ear problem the best thing you can do is to get your pet’s ears checked out by your veterinarian as soon as possible. Ignoring the problem or trying to wait for it to go away on its own usually only makes the condition more painful for your pet and more expensive to treat.

This all depends on if the infection is being caused by the same pathogen as the last ear infection. Chronic ear infections are often a symptom of a more serious condition. This means that even if you use a previously prescribed medication and see superficial results you may not be treating the underlying condition and this can be very harmful to our pet. It is always advisable to call your veterinarian for advice before using any medication in the ear.

Sometimes the medication is ineffective because it is not the proper medication for the cause of the problem. This is why diagnostic testing is so important.

In many cases the ears are not completely clean when medication is applied. Even if a small amount of bio film is left in the ear an infection can survive and recur.

Most ear medication is contained in non-transparent bottles in order to protect the contents from light exposure. It can be difficult to tell when the bottle is empty so it is not uncommon for pet owners to think they have applied medication when the bottle is actually empty.

It is important to apply ear medication to the right place in the ear. Often times the right place is deep into the ear canal. Many owners are afraid of hurting their pet and so they do not insert the tip of the applicator far enough into the ear to get the medication to the right place. Some pets have very long ear canals, making this process even more of a challenge.

Family communication can be an issue. We have found that sometimes one family member thinks another family member is medicating the pet’s ears when they are not. This inconsistent treatment does not help to eliminate the infection.

Treatment length can be an issue. When the treatment course is not long enough, or if it is cut short by the owner, the medication will be less effective.

The internet has a wealth of information available for all to access. However not all of this information is accurate and can be taken out of context. Due to these factors it is important to let your pet’s veterinarian make a diagnosis for your pet. Gaining a baseline of knowledge from online research can be helpful but making your own diagnosis and treatment plan can be dangerous and cause more harm than good. It is also important to understand that veterinary laws are the same as laws regulating human medicine; they prohibit the sale of prescription medication without a proper doctor-patient relationship and doctor made diagnosis.

After your pet’s veterinarian performs the appropriate diagnostics and determines the proper treatment for your pet’s condition they may send home medication that needs to be applied into your pet’s ears on a regular basis. Correct application of medication into the ear is very important and if done incorrectly could lead to further problems. It is always best to thoroughly review how to apply ear medication with your veterinarian during your pet’s exam.

Here are a few pointers that may help:

  • The medication needs to be deposited to where the infection is in the ear. This means that if the infection is deeper in the ear canals applying the medication to the pinna (outside on the ear) will not help.
  • Large breed dogs tend to have very long ear canals so getting the medication to the correct spot can require special attention.
    • Lift the ear
    • Insert the tip of an applicator and lower the ear along with applicator
    • Deposit the medication
  • Smaller breed dogs tend to have smaller ear canals so care should be given not to insert the medication applicator too deep into the ear.
    • Lift the ear so that the ear canal is straight
    • Insert the applicator all the way: Do not lower the ear after inserting the applicator
    • Deposit the medication

Some pets just don’t like their ears touched at all. This could be because of a prior experience that frightened them or due to pain. Ear problems can range from uncomfortable to extremely painful. You may not be able to see the problem from the outside and sedation may be needed in order to properly evaluate the inside of the ear.

Home remedies for ear problems are available over-the-counter at the pet stores and online shopping. However there is a real danger of harming the ear further by using these products if you do not know the underlying issue. Even when the ear looks better on the surface, the real problem could still be deep inside the ear canal out of view and getting worse. This scenario is often how chronic problems start and even spread further into the middle ear, making proper treatment more difficult.

Simply, putting the OTC products in the ears without knowing the origin of the problem and without seeing how the product is working deep inside the ear, it is very risky. This is because there are number of reasons why problems occur in the ears and each one requires a unique treatment. So, unless a proper diagnosis is made, at home treatment is all guess work. In medicine the more you guess the more you can go wrong. The more precise the treatment is the better the results will be.

Always follow your veterinarian’s recommendations and be sure to read and follow the directions on the label of the specific ear cleaner you are using. It is very important to use ear cleaning products appropriately. It is just as important to use the correct product for treating your pet’s unique condition since using the wrong type of product can be harmful and cause more problems.

Direction to clean ears:

  • Hold the pinna (ear flap) erect.Fill the ear canal with ear cleaner.
  • Massage the base of the ear. This will work the cleaner into the ear and help loosen up any debris.
  • Let your pet shake their head.
  • Wipe the debris out of the ear using cotton balls or gauze. Take care not to insert anything into the ear farther than you can see. Do not use Q-tips as they will only push the debris deeper into the ear canal.
  • Repeat these steps several times until no more debris is visible.
  • Ensure that you thoroughly dry the ear canal after cleaning. Removing moisture from the ear is a very important step to preventing infection.
WARNING: IN THE CASE OF IMPACTED EAR CANALS THIS PROCEDURE WILL ONLY CLEAN THE EARS SUPERFICIALLY. TO ENSURE THE EAR CANALS ARE CLEANED THROUGHLY INSPECTION WITH THE VIDEO-OTOSCOPE MUST BE DONE IN ORDER TO SEE DEEPLY INTO THE EARS WHERE BIOFILM OFTEN GETS STUCK. MOST EAR MEDICATIONS FAIL TO TREAT EAR CONDITIONS WHEN THE BIOFILM IS PRESENT.

FAQ

An ear infection is the result of a microorganism and microscopic parasites invading and successfully colonizing one or more canals of the ear. Bacteria, yeast and ear mite infections are the most common types. Many conditions can make a pet predisposed to ear infections including allergies, hypothyroidism, Cushing’s disease, autoimmune condition, genetical deformity, growth or tumors, trauma, ruptured ear drum etc. Foreign bodies or trapped moisture from swimming or bathing can also increase the risk of ear infections.

An ear problem is caused by:
  • Foreign body
  • Chigger
  • Ear mite
  • Tumor
  • Bacteria
  • Yeast
  • Food allergy
  • Wax plug
  • Excessive hair
  • Polyp
  • Soap and water
  • Some ear cleaners and ear treatments
  • Etc.

It is a good idea to check your pet’s ears regularly to catch any signs of infection. Watch your pet’s behavior for frequent head shaking or rubbing ears with paws or on objects. Observe the ear for any redness, sensitivity or odor. Note any buildup of debris inside the ear. Dark brown or black colored debris is a sign of infection; this may look like dirt but it is not.

Remember that the sooner an ear infection gets proper medical attention the more easily it can be treated with less suffering to the pet.

In some cases there are no obvious symptoms at all but here are some symptoms to look for:
  • Head shaking
  • Head tilt
  • Scratching the ear with paws or on other surfaces
  • Painful ears when touched
  • Redness or swelling of the ear
  • Hot or unusually warm ear
  • Discharge from the ear
  • An odor from the ear
  • Darker fur on rear paw from scratching infected ear
Other problems can be deeper down into the ear canals and would require a thorough exam by your veterinarian. If left untreated, these problems can cause chronic pain and infection leading to more obvious symptoms.

The sooner the better. Your pet will benefit the most from early treatment. The longer the problem exists in the ears, the more difficult it becomes to treat, and the more likely the problem will become chronic

To prevent pet ear problems it’s helpful to know some of the many causes to better avoid them.

Some of the most common reasons for ear problems include:

  • Water going in ears. Like when a pet gets a bath, or playing in the water in the yard, creek, lake, pond, beach etc.
  • Soapy water going in the ears while getting a bath at home or at the groomers.
  • Food allergies

Things to avoid:

  • Keep your pet away from foxtail fields.
  • Keep your pet away from other pets with ear mites.
  • Stay away from chigger infested areas.

Having routine pet ear exams can help catch ear problems early and prevent a more severe and chronic ear problem down the road.

The ears of dogs and cats are structural different from human ears. One of the most helpful things to know is the anatomy of your pet’s ear. Understanding the anatomy will help you better understand how problems effect the ear and why certain treatments may have been prescribed.

The outer ear is called the pinna and is commonly referred to as the ear flap. The pinna leads to the vertical ear canal. Humans do not have a vertical ear canal but in dogs and cats this canal goes straight down then makes a turn toward the nose and becomes the horizontal ear canal. The ear drum is located at the end of the horizontal ear canal. Behind the ear drum there is a middle ear and bubble-like structure surrounded by bone called the tympanic bulla. The bulla is another ear structure not as pronounced in the human ear.

Some ear problems such as tumors or polyps may not be preventable. Luckily there are some things that owners can do to help prevent other ear problems.
  • Water getting caught in the ear from water activities and baths can encourage bacteria and yeast growth. Make sure to thoroughly dry your pet’s ears after these activities. Water going in the ear is not a problem but water staying in the ear canal is a problem. Ear drying solutions can help to dry the ear and reduce potential problems from excess moisture.
  • Food allergies cause excess moisture and inflammation in the ear. If you suspect that your pet may have a food allergy discuss this concern with your veterinarian.
  • Foxtails can penetrate anywhere on your pet and the ear is no exception. In fact we commonly find foxtails in our patient’s ears. Keep your yard free of the grass that produces foxtails and do not let your pet play in any area where they are present. Freshly cut weeds from your yard should be disposed of promptly since this is a common way foxtails get inside your pet’s ears.
  • Ear mites are contagious from pet to pet. Keep your pet away from any other animal that has ear mites. Outdoor cats are at a higher risk for ear mites due to their exposure to other cats. Regularly monitor your outdoor cat’s ears for any signs of ear mites.
  • Chiggers are most common in early summertime and can be found in grass and other vegetation. Keep your pet away from areas known to harbor chiggers and stay on trails while hiking.
  • Once you do notice any signs of a potential ear problem the best thing you can do is to get your pet’s ears checked out by your veterinarian as soon as possible. Ignoring the problem or trying to wait for it to go away on its own usually only makes the condition more painful for your pet and more expensive to treat.

This all depends on if the infection is being caused by the same pathogen as the last ear infection. Chronic ear infections are often a symptom of a more serious condition. This means that even if you use a previously prescribed medication and see superficial results you may not be treating the underlying condition and this can be very harmful to our pet. It is always advisable to call your veterinarian for advice before using any medication in the ear.

Sometimes the medication is ineffective because it is not the proper medication for the cause of the problem. This is why diagnostic testing is so important.

In many cases the ears are not completely clean when medication is applied. Even if a small amount of bio film is left in the ear an infection can survive and recur.

Most ear medication is contained in non-transparent bottles in order to protect the contents from light exposure. It can be difficult to tell when the bottle is empty so it is not uncommon for pet owners to think they have applied medication when the bottle is actually empty.

It is important to apply ear medication to the right place in the ear. Often times the right place is deep into the ear canal. Many owners are afraid of hurting their pet and so they do not insert the tip of the applicator far enough into the ear to get the medication to the right place. Some pets have very long ear canals, making this process even more of a challenge.

Family communication can be an issue. We have found that sometimes one family member thinks another family member is medicating the pet’s ears when they are not. This inconsistent treatment does not help to eliminate the infection.

Treatment length can be an issue. When the treatment course is not long enough, or if it is cut short by the owner, the medication will be less effective.

The internet has a wealth of information available for all to access. However not all of this information is accurate and can be taken out of context. Due to these factors it is important to let your pet’s veterinarian make a diagnosis for your pet. Gaining a baseline of knowledge from online research can be helpful but making your own diagnosis and treatment plan can be dangerous and cause more harm than good. It is also important to understand that veterinary laws are the same as laws regulating human medicine; they prohibit the sale of prescription medication without a proper doctor-patient relationship and doctor made diagnosis.

After your pet’s veterinarian performs the appropriate diagnostics and determines the proper treatment for your pet’s condition they may send home medication that needs to be applied into your pet’s ears on a regular basis. Correct application of medication into the ear is very important and if done incorrectly could lead to further problems. It is always best to thoroughly review how to apply ear medication with your veterinarian during your pet’s exam.

Here are a few pointers that may help:

  • The medication needs to be deposited to where the infection is in the ear. This means that if the infection is deeper in the ear canals applying the medication to the pinna (outside on the ear) will not help.
  • Large breed dogs tend to have very long ear canals so getting the medication to the correct spot can require special attention.
    • Lift the ear
    • Insert the tip of an applicator and lower the ear along with applicator
    • Deposit the medication
  • Smaller breed dogs tend to have smaller ear canals so care should be given not to insert the medication applicator too deep into the ear.
    • Lift the ear so that the ear canal is straight
    • Insert the applicator all the way: Do not lower the ear after inserting the applicator
    • Deposit the medication

Some pets just don’t like their ears touched at all. This could be because of a prior experience that frightened them or due to pain. Ear problems can range from uncomfortable to extremely painful. You may not be able to see the problem from the outside and sedation may be needed in order to properly evaluate the inside of the ear.

Home remedies for ear problems are available over-the-counter at the pet stores and online shopping. However there is a real danger of harming the ear further by using these products if you do not know the underlying issue. Even when the ear looks better on the surface, the real problem could still be deep inside the ear canal out of view and getting worse. This scenario is often how chronic problems start and even spread further into the middle ear, making proper treatment more difficult.

Simply, putting the OTC products in the ears without knowing the origin of the problem and without seeing how the product is working deep inside the ear, it is very risky. This is because there are number of reasons why problems occur in the ears and each one requires a unique treatment. So, unless a proper diagnosis is made, at home treatment is all guess work. In medicine the more you guess the more you can go wrong. The more precise the treatment is the better the results will be.

Always follow your veterinarian’s recommendations and be sure to read and follow the directions on the label of the specific ear cleaner you are using. It is very important to use ear cleaning products appropriately. It is just as important to use the correct product for treating your pet’s unique condition since using the wrong type of product can be harmful and cause more problems.

Direction to clean ears:

  • Hold the pinna (ear flap) erect.Fill the ear canal with ear cleaner.
  • Massage the base of the ear. This will work the cleaner into the ear and help loosen up any debris.
  • Let your pet shake their head.
  • Wipe the debris out of the ear using cotton balls or gauze. Take care not to insert anything into the ear farther than you can see. Do not use Q-tips as they will only push the debris deeper into the ear canal.
  • Repeat these steps several times until no more debris is visible.
  • Ensure that you thoroughly dry the ear canal after cleaning. Removing moisture from the ear is a very important step to preventing infection.
WARNING: IN THE CASE OF IMPACTED EAR CANALS THIS PROCEDURE WILL ONLY CLEAN THE EARS SUPERFICIALLY. TO ENSURE THE EAR CANALS ARE CLEANED THROUGHLY INSPECTION WITH THE VIDEO-OTOSCOPE MUST BE DONE IN ORDER TO SEE DEEPLY INTO THE EARS WHERE BIOFILM OFTEN GETS STUCK. MOST EAR MEDICATIONS FAIL TO TREAT EAR CONDITIONS WHEN THE BIOFILM IS PRESENT.