Infections in dogs and cats are more common than they are in people because the dog and cat ear canal has an "L" shape to it. Also, our pets cannot tell us until the infection is more advanced that their ears are hurting!

Common signs of an ear infection can include smelly ears, head shaking, scratching ears, rubbing ears on the ground, whimpering if the ears are touched, and redness or discharge from the ears.

Ear infections in pets are often caused by, or are secondary to allergies, parasites (mites), foreign bodies, abnormal wax production, or metabolic or endocrine diseases. The treatment and success of treatment will depend on the cause of infection.

Diagnosis starts with looking at the ear, then using an instrument called an otoscope to look deeply into the canal, then finally it is sometimes necessary to use the microscope to tell us the type of infection or whether or not our treatment has been successful. In some cases it may even require multiple tests and/or labwork to completely diagnosis the problem.

Once we have a diagnosis - we can begin treating the problem. Ear infections are often treated with topical medications unless the ear canal is extremely swollen. The medications are drizzled in the ears, and massaged in place to distribute the medication deep into the vertical and horizontal ear canals. We will be glad to demonstrate this for you or answer any questions once you get home.

We may sometimes also send home an ear cleaner - to use this - simply pour in the cleaner into the ear canal. Massage the canal from the outside (as with the medication) - you should hear sloshing - if you don't you do not have enough cleaner in the ear. Then let the patient shake its head and use a cotton ball or Kleenex to absorb the excess fluid. DO NOT DIG OR RUB INSIDE THE EAR. This damages sensitive tissue and can make the infection worse. Do not use Q-tips - these can damage the ear drum.

The exact medication, the frequency and duration of treatment will be listed on the label.

We may advise an ear re-check if the infection is anything other than very mild. We often cannot tell if the infection is cleared without looking under the microscope at a smear of the ear's debris. If we don't completely resolve the infection is likely to recur and may be worse than the original infection.