Ear Infections – What’s the Deal?

by | Jan 10, 2021 | Uncategorized | 19,104 comments

puppy-1977171_1920.jpgpuppy-1977171_1920.jpg

 

What is an ear infection?

In dogs, ear infections are caused by yeast and bacteria that are already on the skin and in the ears. These infections do not occur spontaneously – there is typically an underlying disease that allows for them to occur. Cats also get ear infections, but they are typically caused by mites. Feline ear mites are very contagious, but uncommon in indoor only cats. Cats that go outside should receive a regular preventative that treats ear mite infestations, such as Bravecto or Revolution Plus.

Why do ear infections happen?

In dogs, ear infections are typically caused by one of three possible underlying conditions. Unilateral and spontaneous ear infections in dogs that have had exposure to foxtails or other grass awns may have a piece of plant material imbedded in their ear. This can be very irritating and may lead to a secondary infection. Second, ear infections can occur secondary to moisture trapping. This may be as simple as the Labrador that likes to go swimming or the Bichon Frise that got a bath and some water in its ear, but can also occur in dogs where normal moisture is not allowed to evaporate, such as the Cocker Spaniel with large pinnas (ear flaps) that occlude its canals or the Poodle with excessive amounts of hair in its canals. The trapped moisture creates a perfect environment for bacteria and yeast that are already on its skin and in its ears to start rapidly multiplying. Finally, allergies can cause ear infections by inducing generalized skin inflammation, allowing bacteria and yeast to grow in areas that are already humid, like the ear canals and between the toes.

How to we diagnose an ear infection and its underlying trigger?

All dogs with an irritated ear require an otoscope exam of the ear canal and tympanic membrane (“ear drum”). With those that are very irritated and have had expose to foxtails, sedation may be required to identify the plant material and remove it. A cytology is also always indicated to identify any bacteria or yeast. If an infection is identified and no foxtail is found, a dog’s breed, history, and other physical exam findings will paint a clinical picture favoring moisture trapping or allergies. If only one ear is infected, they are a larger dog, and they have a history of recent swimming or bathing moisture trapping is suspected and appropriate management can be initiated. If both ears are infected, they are a smaller dog, and they have a history of paw or skin irritation, allergies are suspected. However, some dogs are at risk of suffering from both moisture trapping and skin allergies, such as the Cocker Spaniel.

How to we treat and prevent ear infections?

Dogs with foxtails in their ears must have the foxtail removed and any secondary infection treated. Infections are treated by cleaning the ear with an appropriate otic solution selected based on infection type and instilling a topical anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, and antifungal medication into the affect ear, also selected by infection type. Some ear medications must be administered twice daily, while others only need to be administered once. The ear cytology should be rechecked after 1 week and the dog should avoid areas with foxtails in the future. Ear infections secondary to moisture trapping and allergies are treated similarly.

To prevent moisture trapping, the cause must be identified and directly addressed. Dogs that like to go swimming or are bathed regularly should have their ears cleaned with a drying solution afterwards to enhance evaporation of any residual moisture. Dogs with excessive amounts of hair in their canals may benefit from having this hair plucked, although not during an active infection. Dogs with pinnas that occlude their canals are difficult to manage and may benefit from both regular cleanings with a drying solution and plucking.

Finally, dogs with allergies must have their allergic triggers identified and addressed. Allergies can be broken into four categories – external parasite, contact, food, and environmental allergies. Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) is the most common form of external parasite allergy. Dogs with FAD can have a systemic reaction to a single flea and there must be kept on an effective flea preventative, such as Nexgard, Simparica, or Bravecto. Contact allergies are caused by allergens, such as pollen or dirt, coming in contact with the skin. This typically affects the chest, abdomen, and inguinal regions, but can also cause irritation between the pads or toes. Dogs that have contact allergies benefit from having the affected areas of their body wiped down with a damp, clean cloth after spending time outside. Next, food allergies are currently very popular in media, but actually only occur in 10-15% of dogs that have any allergies. Dogs that do have food allergies typically present with intermittent to chronic irritation of the paws and/or ears. The protein source is usually the responsible allergen and these dogs benefit from a strict prescription hypoallergenic diet. Dogs must be fed only their new hypoallergenic diet for 2 months and reassessed to ensure an appropriate clinical response. Lastly, environmental allergies are caused by inhaled allergens, such as pollens, dust mites, cat dander, or a multitude of other sources, causing a systemic reaction. Environmental allergies cause a condition known as Atopic Dermatitis, which is the most difficult form of allergies to control long-term. Animals with Atopic Dermatitis present similar to those with food allergies, but may be seasonal – they may only be affected in the spring and summer. These dogs can be tested for allergen sensitivities with a boarded veterinary Dermatologist. However, identifying sensitivities does not prove that a particular allergen is responsible for a dog’s reactions. Once a list of suspect allergens has been generated based on identified sensitization and known geographical exposure, a desensitization protocol involving regular injections or oral drops will help reduce future allergic episodes in the majority of dogs. Keep in mind, this process can take several months to see benefits.

If allergy testing is not feasible for you and your dog, please speak with your primary veterinarian about Apoquel or Cytopoint, medications which can help to control skin allergy clinical signs. Apoquel is an oral tablet that reduces itch and can be given twice daily. Long-term use may increase the risk of certain cancers, such as lymphoma. Cytopoint is an injection administered every 1-2 months that similarly blunts itch but becomes less effective the longer it is used.

19,104 Comments

  4. Frankapany
    Frankapany on April 20, 2022 at 10:11 am

    where can i buy doxycycline without prescription doxycycline 100mg tablet buy doxycycline online without a prescription

    Reply
  13. www.xmc.pl
    www.xmc.pl on May 17, 2022 at 8:24 am

    I thought it was heading to become some boring aged publish, however it really compensated for my time. I will post a hyperlink to this web page on my weblog. Im positive my guests will come across that really helpful.

    Reply
  53. vaporessoswag
    vaporessoswag on June 24, 2022 at 2:16 am

    It’s fantastic that you are getting thoughts from this post as well as from our discussion made at this time.

    Reply
  54. Smok ALIKE 1600mAh Pod Mod KIT Elektronik Sigara
    Smok ALIKE 1600mAh Pod Mod KIT Elektronik Sigara on June 24, 2022 at 2:17 am

    Attractive component of content. I just stumbled upon your blog and in accession capital to claim that
    I get actually enjoyed account your weblog posts.
    Anyway I’ll be subscribing for your feeds and even I achievement you access constantly fast.

    Reply
  55. NormanEmbow
    NormanEmbow on June 24, 2022 at 1:31 pm

    временная регистрация

    Наша общество предлагает комплексные услуги по юридическому сопровождению в процессе оформления временной регистрации в Москве. В штате только профильные юристы, которые гарантируют успешное получение ВР в любом регионе для нужный вам срок.

    временная регистрация

    Reply
  79. takipçi satın al
    takipçi satın al on July 2, 2022 at 3:04 pm

    Hi, I do think this is an excellent website. I stumbledupon it 😉 I’m going to return once again since
    i have bookmarked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to help other people.

    Reply
  97. 24-hour junk car buyers near me
    24-hour junk car buyers near me on July 6, 2022 at 7:04 pm

    This is a great tip particularly to those fresh to
    the blogosphere. Short but very accurate information… Thanks for
    sharing this one. A must read post!

    Reply
  99. troubleshooting scotsman ice machine
    troubleshooting scotsman ice machine on July 7, 2022 at 8:02 am

    I am regular reader, how are you everybody? This paragraph posted at this web site is actually good.

    thermal imaging military
    vortex optics strikefire 2 reviews
    night vision scopes for ar 15
    crossfit hand grips
    welding school memphis tn
    bunn coffee pot lid
    when to prune avocado trees
    how to change oil in husqvarna riding lawn mower
    krups espresso and coffee machine
    vertical up mig welding

    Here is my web-site … troubleshooting scotsman ice machine

    Reply
  107. MichaelDrine
    MichaelDrine on July 9, 2022 at 5:38 pm

    clomid 100mg for sale clomid

    Reply
  115. DanielSoild
    DanielSoild on July 12, 2022 at 9:06 pm

    stromectol stromectol 3mg tablets

    Reply
  153. ‏lewdle
    ‏lewdle on July 27, 2022 at 6:23 am

    Im grateful for the blog post.Really thank you! Will read on…

    Reply
  180. sacramento hard money lender
    sacramento hard money lender on August 5, 2022 at 9:53 pm

    Magnificent beat ! I would like to apprentice whilst you amend your website,
    how can i subscribe for a blog site? The account helped me a appropriate deal.
    I have been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright
    clear concept

    http://my-e-liquid.com.xx3.kz/go.php?url=http://kuwait.arabsclassifieds.com/schools-events-in-kuwait/three-tremendous-helpful-tips-to-improve-hard-money-loan-example.html
    https://www.wzmh.com/?URL=https://diyairconditioning.net/community/profile/cindaw301113428/

    Reply
  187. gralion torile
    gralion torile on August 7, 2022 at 10:26 am

    It’s actually a great and useful piece of information. I am happy that you just shared this useful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  190. 샌즈카지노
    샌즈카지노 on August 8, 2022 at 7:47 am

    It is in reality a nice and helpful piece of information. I am happy that you simply shared this helpful information with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
    Take a look at my homepage – https://main7.net/yes/

    Reply
  191. 온라인카지노
    온라인카지노 on August 8, 2022 at 8:00 am

    I think other web-site proprietors should take this web site as an model, very clean and excellent user friendly style and design, let alone the content. You are an expert in this topic!

    Reply
  206. junk car
    junk car on August 12, 2022 at 5:57 am

    Thanks for one’s marvelous posting! I seriously enjoyed reading it, you
    may be a great author. I will ensure that I bookmark your blog and may
    come back down the road. I want to encourage one to continue your great job, have a nice holiday weekend!

    https://thesence.biz/slider/3486121
    https://dodiomall.co.kr/bbs/board.php?bo_table=free&wr_id=53560
    http://www.zilahy.info/wiki/index.php/Laborious_Money_Loans:_Common_Rates
    https://portpavement.com/index.php/Hard_Money_Loan_Rates:_Do_You_Really_Need_It_It_Will_Help_You_Decide
    https://sensualvip.com.ar/english/choosing-good-hard-money-loan-calculator-1.html
    https://kevinbays.xyz/wiki/index.php?title=Utilisateur:RondaGriver708

    Reply
  209. junk car
    junk car on August 12, 2022 at 12:08 pm

    Hello friends, how is the whole thing, and what you want to say regarding this article, in my view its in fact awesome in favor of me.

    https://students-rooms.com/hobbies/take-heed-to-your-prospects-they-will-inform-you-all-about-hard-money-loans-for-beginners.html
    https://listaus.ukkos.org/porvoo/the-basics-of-hard-money-loan-calculator-you-can-benefit-from-starting-today.html
    https://www.optimalscience.org/index.php?title=User:EfrainJ297439
    https://call.ebimarketing.com/events/the-right-way-to-handle-every-hard-money-loan-calculator-problem-with-ease-using-the-next-tips.html
    https://pinoymeta.com/apartment/10-romantic-best-hard-money-lenders-ideas.html
    http://wiki.antares.community/index.php?title=Top_Eight_Humorous_Hard_Money_Loan_Requirements_Quotes

    Reply
  213. ทดลองเล่น บา คา ร่า
    ทดลองเล่น บา คา ร่า on August 13, 2022 at 2:46 pm

    ทดลองเล่น บา คา ร่า สูตรบาคาร่า ของพวกเรา เป็นค่าย pg slot เกมคาสิโน ออนไลน์ ที่สุดยอดในประเทศไทย ให้บริการ แบบคาสิโนสด ด้วยผู้เชี่ยวชาญ มีคณะทำงาน มืออาชีพ ดูแลท่าน ไม่มีสะดุด

    Reply
  226. 바카라사이트
    바카라사이트 on August 18, 2022 at 4:34 am

    https://711casino.net/ 카지노사이트
    https://711casino.net/baccaratsite/ 바카라사이트
    https://711casino.net/ 온라인카지노
    https://711casino.net/woori/ 우리카지노
    https://711casino.net/totosite/ 토토사이트
    https://711casino.net/pharaoh/ 파라오카지노
    https://711casino.net/first/ 퍼스트카지노
    https://711casino.net/merit/ 메리트카지노
    https://711casino.net/totosite/ 스포츠토토사이트
    https://711casino.net/ 카지노
    https://711casino.net/ 라이브카지노
    https://711casino.net/first/ F1카지노
    https://711casino.net/first/ 개츠비카지노
    https://711casino.net/merit/ 더킹카지노
    https://711casino.net/slot-real/ 슬롯머신사이트
    https://711casino.net/pharaoh/ 홀덤사이트
    https://711casino.net/pharaoh/ 포커사이트
    https://711casino.net/pharaoh/ IDN포커
    https://711casino.net/pharaoh/ 온라인홀덤
    https://711casino.net/pharaoh/ 온라인포

    Reply
  227. 퍼스트카지노
    퍼스트카지노 on August 18, 2022 at 4:35 am

    https://main7.net/ 카지노사이트
    https://main7.net/baca/ 바카라사이트
    https://main7.net/coin/ 코인카지노
    https://main7.net/first/ 퍼스트카지노
    https://main7.net/crazy/ 크레이지슬롯
    https://main7.net/yes/ 샌즈카지노
    https://main7.net/obama/ FM카지노
    https://main7.net/theking/ 메리트카지노
    https://main7.net/thenine/ 파라오카지노
    https://main7.net/woori/ 우리카지노
    https://main7.net/%ec%83%8c%ec%a6%88%ec%b9%b4%ec%a7%80%eb%85%b8/ 샌즈카지노
    https://main7.net/%ec%b9%b4%ec%a7%80%eb%85%b8%ec%82%ac%ec%9d%b4%ed%8a%b8%ec%b6%94%ec%b2%9c/ 카지노사이트추천
    https://main7.net/aria/ 아리아카지노

    Reply
  250. tratamiento disfuncion erectil
    tratamiento disfuncion erectil on August 23, 2022 at 4:48 pm

    tratamiento para la disfuncion erectil cialis generico urologos especialistas en disfuncion erectil cialis 5 mg prezzo que es la disfuncion erectil
    spedra como tratar la disfuncion erectil

    disfuncion erectil seguridad social comprar viagra contrareembolso 48 horas
    tratamiento disfuncion erectil
    http://www.google.hn/url?q=https://comprarcialis5mg.org/comprar-viagra-contrareembolso/
    http://images.google.ca/url?q=https://comprarcialis5mg.org/comprar-viagra-contrareembolso/
    http://images.google.dm/url?q=https://comprarcialis5mg.org/comprar-viagra-contrareembolso/
    https://images.google.co.nz/url?q=https://comprarcialis5mg.org/comprar-viagra-contrareembolso/
    http://www.google.ch/url?q=https://comprarcialis5mg.org/comprar-viagra-contrareembolso/

    https://comprarcialis5mg.org/it/
    http://www.google.ch/url?q=https://comprarcialis5mg.org/comprar-viagra-contrareembolso/
    http://cse.google.tt/url?q=https://comprarcialis5mg.org/comprar-viagra-contrareembolso/
    http://images.google.gp/url?q=https://comprarcialis5mg.org/comprar-viagra-contrareembolso/
    https://maps.google.cg/url?q=https://comprarcialis5mg.org/comprar-viagra-contrareembolso/
    http://images.google.ba/url?q=https://comprarcialis5mg.org/comprar-viagra-contrareembolso/

    Reply
  257. Rodneyimapy
    Rodneyimapy on August 24, 2022 at 6:09 pm

    Африканский стиль в интерьере – вполне уместная экзотика, способная внести немного яркости в обыденное течение повседневной жизни. Этнические мотивы сохраняют свою популярность на протяжении столетий. И сегодня, для того чтобы превратить пространство обычной городской квартиры или загородного дома в оформление направления сафари, требуется совсем немного – помощь дизайнера и желание добавить экзотических нот в обстановку жилища.

    Стилистические решения из Африки: особенности

    Энергичность, мощь и харизматичность – пожалуй, эти эпитеты как нельзя лучше характеризуют африканский стиль интерьера. Простота используемых декоративных приемов здесь с лихвой компенсируется их разнообразием: необычные вазы, обилие плетеных элементов, ковры имитирующие окрас шкур животных, пестрая обивка мебели и оригинальные абажуры, напоминающие по форме тыкву, один из любимых овощей фермеров из Африки.

    Для того чтобы достоверно воплотить африканский стиль в атмосфере гостиной, нужно не так уж много. Достаточно следовать простым правилам:

    Так же уместен будет африканский стиль в интерьере кухни. Здесь для стилизации стоит использовать открытый очаг, выложенный из натурального камня. Плиточный пол горчичного оттенка или цвета карри, сочные желто-оранжевые тона в отделке стен и добротную мебель в духе эпохи колониализма. А для того чтобы проект было проще воплотить в жизнь, доверьте его разработку специалистам компании “Гранд Хаус”. Они создадут для вас оригинальный дизайн-проект и возьмут на себя хлопоты по его воплощению в жизнь.

    Перепечатка, а равно использование материалов с данного сайта, разрешена только по согласию с владельцем.

    Профсоюзная, 115к2

    ?Коньково район, Москва?117647

    Реклама в интернет. Создание сайта Мегагруп

    Источник: http://remontkvartir63.tk/ – http://remontkvartir63.tk/

    Reply
  282. HenryBot
    HenryBot on August 30, 2022 at 6:52 pm

    amoxil generic how much is amoxicillin prescription

    Reply
  283. israel-lady.co.il
    israel-lady.co.il on August 30, 2022 at 10:51 pm

    Hello there! I just wish to offer you a huge thumbs up for your great info you have got here on this post. I will be returning to your website for more soon.

    Reply
  647. Marvinzex
    Marvinzex on September 1, 2022 at 6:16 pm

    am sex sex met juf strapon neuken escort dames amsterdam almere hoeren amstex.site sexjobs zoetermeer best sexy site speurders sm erotiek contact only ede afspraak maken sex nijmegen amstex.site sex telefoon nummers kinky ede whatsapp sex chat edwin m tantra sensuele massages body to body amsterdam

    Reply