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Ear Concerns

Have you heard about the most common ear issues we see? Let's explore Infections, Mites and Hematomas (oh my!).

Questions to Know for a Visit in Clinic

  1. How long have you noticed the ears being an issue for your pet?

  2. What are the primary symptoms you are noticing? Redness, debris buildup, shaking head, scratching frequently?

  3. Which ear(s) are affected? 

  4. Have you cleaned the ears at home? When was the last time they were cleaned?

  5. Have you used any topical product or treatment in the ears? (please note this is not recommended until an exam can be completed and cause can be found - even if ear concerns are a chronic condition for your pet)

  6. Have they been bathed or been swimming recently?

  7. Do they go outdoors often or live primary outdoors?

  8. Do they have a history of ear concerns?

Do NOT clean the ears before your visit

Cleaning the ears prior to examining them in clinic or under a microscope can potentially lead to an inaccurate diagnosis as we would be unable to see the full extent of the symptoms and get acceptable samples for testing.

Ear Infections

How it is Diagnosed?

An ear cytology will need to be performed in clinic to determine the primary cause of the irritation (excess debris vs bacteria - rods or cocci vs yeast). *No matter how many times your pet has had an infection, a cytology is always recommended to ensure the appropriate treatment course is being used.*

Treatment?
Treatment will be determined by the findings from the cytology. For excess debris, without any other organisms present, a routine ear cleaning may resolve the issue. If either bacteria or yeast are found, an appropriate medication will be prescribed. This may be drops that are placed in the ear daily, multiple times a day, or a 'ear pack' (a course of treatment that is applied to the ear(s) in clinic and will treat for approximately the next 14-21 days). 

Common Symptoms

  • Inflammation/Redness

  • Swelling in the ear canal

  • Debris/Discharge - can vary in color and consistency

  • Shaking head frequently

  • Scratching at ears obsessively

  • Rubbing face along furniture/surfaces

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Ear Mites

Common Symptoms​

  • Debris/Discharge - often dark, thick and dry material

  • Shaking head frequently

  • Scratching at ears obsessively

How it is Diagnosed?

A cytology of the ear debris will need to be completed in clinic to look for the presence of mites (either by the eggs or adult parasites). This specific ear concern is often more common in our feline (cat) patients.

Treatment?
For Cats: In clinic we treat ear mites with a topical prevention called 'Revolution'. We recommend that this monthly preventative is applied consistently for 3 months to treat and prevent acute reoccurrence of the ear mites (if present).

Ear Hematoma

Common Symptoms

  • Inflammation/Redness

  • Swelling on the flap (pinna) of the ear

  • Shaking head frequently

How it is Diagnosed?

While the swelling that is indicative of an ear hematoma may be physically observed at home, it is important to be seen at the clinic for a physical exam by the doctor. This exam will help to determine the appropriate treatment course based on the severity of the swelling and determine the cause (ear infection, localized irritation, etc.). This specific ear concern is often more common in our canine (dog) patients.

Treatment?

Depending on the physical exam findings, topical treatment may be possible. Class IV Therapeutic laser treatments in clinic can help with swelling/inflammation and possibly decrease the size of the hematoma. For some hematomas oral medications and steroids may help. However, for complete resolution, surgical intervention is often necessary. There are a variety of techniques as options for treatment, with each doctor having a personal preference on where they have seen the most success. Unfortunately, ear hematomas can be difficult to treat. Even with surgery, there is still a possibility of the hematoma reoccurring once bandaging is removed after surgery. If this is the diagnosis for your pet, an involved conversation with your veterinary on your pet's specific treatment options will be important.

*While these are the 3 most common ear concerns we see, there are many others including foreign body and polyps. For additional information and resources on any ear concern not listed, please reach out to your primary veterinarian.*

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