The Importance of Good Ear Hygiene
Otitis Externa
Otitis externa is one of the most common ear diseases found in pets today.
Otitis externa is the inflammation of the external auditory canal and can cause great discomfort to the animal.
The condition may present itself with a variety of different symptoms, which may include:
- Shaking the head (the most common)
- Scratching of the ears
- Foul odor from the ear canal
What Causes Otitis Externa?
A host of primary diseases are complicated with secondary Otitis externa. The most common are:
Atopy
An inhalant allergy characterized by scratching, paw licking and face rubbing.
Food allergy
An allergy due to hypersensitivity of certain foods or food additives.
Seborrhea
Characterized by the excessive production of oil in the skin and the formation of greasy scales.
Ear mites
A parasite which commonly causes the onset of Otitis externa. Once the diseases is initiated, the mite will leave the ear canal or will be destroyed by inflammation or a secondary infection.
Foreign bodies
Such as dirt, grass, loose hairs, etc. are also frequently responsible for Otitis externa.
Also:
Bacteria Infection
Moisture
Yeast Infection
Why is Otitis Externa so common?
The canine ear has some distinct characteristics that lead to the increased probability of acquiring Otitis externa.
- First, the canine ear canal is deep and curved, this allows debris, wax and excess moisture to collect.
- Second, certain canine breeds have ears that flap down covering the opening of the vertical canal. This does not allow for proper ventilation, thus inviting bacteria and fungus to grow. This characteristic accounts for 80% of Otitis externa cases.
Prevention and Treatment
If you pet develops any presentation (evidence) of Otitis Externa, an otoscopic examination is recommended for proper diagnosis.
To aid in the prevention of this ear disease, good general hygiene practices should be used. This includes cleaning your pet’s ears on a routine basis.
Regular Cleanings Will Result In:
- Removing foreign bodies.
- Removing wax.
- Removing bacterial toxins and cellular debris.
- The promotion of a healthy ear.
Speak with our staff to learn more about how you can keep your pets ears healthy.
Content used with permission; based on material provided by: DVM Pharmaceuticals
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