Common Pet Ear Diseases, Treatments, and Prevention Tip

Ear canal disorders are a matter of great concern and care, as they can easily lead to issues such as skin conditions, otitis externa, and bacterial infections. It's especially important to pay attention to these areas, as they are often out of sight and out of mind. If any symptoms arise, it's crucial to seek medical attention promptly.

Among pets, ear canal disorders are particularly prevalent. Many pet owners fail to pay adequate attention to the earwax and do not regularly clean their pets' ears, which can lead to a variety of health issues.

Pets' ears are structurally similar to humans', consisting of three main parts: the outer ear, middle ear, and inner ear. The outer ear includes both the vertical ear canal and the horizontal ear canal.

A common condition in pets is otitis externa, which is an acute or chronic inflammatory disease of the outer ear canal's epithelium.

Disease Characteristics

Not easily noticeable

Difficult for owners to detect early on

Symptoms such as scratching, shaking the head, and tilting the head

Disease Causes

Parasites, mites, with ear mites being the most common

Bacteria, wounds, and infections, as well as allergic diseases

Fungi, with Malassezia fungi being the most common

Disease Symptoms

Itching

Shaking the head

Headscratching

Accompanied by skin abrasions and hair loss around the ears

Ear canal disorders are often mixed infections, with symptoms including discharge and an unpleasant odor.

Ear Mite Infections

Characterized by black, waxy, or cheesylike blockage in the ear canal, with an odor that is not as noticeable

Bacterial Infections

Presented by yellow and puslike discharge, sometimes with an odor

Fungal Infections

Primarily produce black, muddylike discharge, usually with an odor

Disease Treatment

Otitis externa is not something to be taken lightly. After cleaning the ears and removing any earwax, wait until the ears are dry before applying medication. The typical treatment duration is 714 days, but this can vary depending on the situation. It's also important to fit your pet with an Elizabethan collar to prevent selfinjury and exacerbate the condition.

Failure to treat promptly can affect your pet's hearing, lead to secondary ear canal injuries like hematoma, and, in severe cases, even cause otitis media!

Medication Precautions

Before using ear medications, it's essential to clean the ears with ear cleaning solution first. Wait until the ears are dry before applying medication. In some severe cases of ear infection, it's not recommended to clean the ears, and medication should be administered directly or with medical cotton.

How to Prevent Ear Canal Disorders?

Regularly clean the ear canals, using a professional ear cleaning solution once a week

After bathing, dry your pet's hair thoroughly to keep the ears dry

For pets with ear hair, regular ear hair removal is necessary

If your pet exhibits symptoms like head shaking or scratching, seek veterinary care immediately

Whether it's ear canal disorders or other health issues, owners must be vigilant and proactive in early detection.

Diseases are not trivial matters; early detection can lead to effective and timely treatment.