Basic ear care is simple and most successful when done routinely for breeds at high risk, such as Labradors, Spaniels, Hounds, and Shar Peis. Certain breeds of dogs also have a tendency of growing hair in the ear canal, which inhibits airflow, leading to infections. This hair should be plucked regularly (every 1-3 months) by the owner, the groomer or the veterinarian or vet technician. Breeds prone to this problem include poodles, Shihtzu, Maltese, and Schnauzers.
Ear infections, when not chronic, usually result from moisture build-up in the ear. Yeast (a fungus), which normally inhabits any ear will begin to overgrow, causing a dark brown, black or yellow discharge to build up which has a characteristic sweet odor and causes inflammation and itching. Clinical signs of an ear infection include excessive head shaking, rubbing the ears, or pain when ears are touched.
In cats, ear infections are most commonly caused by ear mites, a parasite that is passed from cat to cat by close contact (and occasionally to dogs). Cats may also develop yeast or bacterial problems but they are much less common.
If untreated, a yeast infection may also develop a secondary bacterial problem which will cause pus to form and leads to erosions of the ear canal and a great deal of pain. Over months to years, a chronic ear infection will cause calcification of the ear canal, and thickening of the skin of the ear canal. Both these processes feed the vicious cycle of restricting airflow and increasing moisture in the ear, perpetuating the infection. Eventually the entire ear canal can close down. Only surgery can correct this problem at this level of severity. It is quite expensive, and requires a long, often painful recovery so it is best prevented with regular ear care if your pet is at risk.
Chronic ear infections, constant or frequent, have also been linked to food allergies. It is believed that 75-85% of chronic ear infections are due at least in part to a hypersensitivity to food. In this case, we may suggest a hypoallergenic diet to help reduce or eliminate your dog's ear infections.
Step by step ear cleaning
1. Fill ear to the brim with cleaning solution, holding the ear flap at its base.
2. Massage the ear to loosen debris.
3. Let go of ear and STAND BACK! Because the dog or cat will usually shake immediately. This helps move debris from the horizontal canal up into the vertical canal, and hopefully out.
4. Using a tissue, gauze, or cotton ball, wipe away excess debris and liquid from the outer ear and down the vertical canal as far as your finger will fit.
5. In certain cases, your vet will also want you to follow up with a Q-tip down the vertical canal of the ear to clean deeper. Only do this if recommended by your doctor. You do not have to worry about hitting the ear drum of a dog or cat because it is out of reach of a Q-tip but this deeper cleaning can be more irritating than beneficial.
Cleaning should be done 2 times a week during infections, every 1 to 2 weeks for prevention in high-risk breeds, or any dog that has chronic issues with ears. The cleaning solution should be non-oily, soothing, and preferably drying. At Glendale Animal Hospital, we have the best products available for cleaning because they provide residual activity to prevent infections (meaning they benefit the ear environment for days after a cleaning or flush).
Prescription medications may be
dispensed for treating your pet's ear infection. The frequency of use will
depend on the specific type of infection, which is determined by ear smears
or cultures. Medications are usually topical salves, creams, or drops, but
may also include oral antibiotics and pain medication in severe cases. It
is very important to complete the treatment recommended by your doctor and
return for rechecks as requested. Your pet's clinical signs will often disappear
within 7-10 days of beginning treatment, but DO NOT BE FOOLED! It takes 3
weeks minimum to clear a yeast infection, longer if there is a bacterial component
or chronic changes to the ear. In that case, lifelong treatment may be recommended.