Ear problems are far more common in dogs compared to cats
What are the signs and symptoms?
• Shaking the head from side to side
• Scratching the ears or rubbing them along the floor
• Red inflamed ear flaps
• An unusual smell
• Excess wax production, usually brown or black in colour
• An unusual discharge which may smell
What causes ear problems?
• A foreign body in the ear canal, usually dogs often involving grass awns. This problem needs urgent veterinary attention
• Dirty water getting into the ear, leading to an infection, usually dogs from swimming. This is a problem that resolves quickly with treatment
• Allergies (common in dogs), usually both ears, other parts of the body may be affected such as feet and underside. Triggered by foods or environmental allergens. This is a long-term ongoing chronic ear problem with recurrent wax build up and infections
• Narrow ear canals (poor ventilation leave ears prone to excess wax and infections)
• Excess hair in the ear canals leads to wax build up and infections with bacteria and yeast
• Polyps in the ear canal (usually cats)
How do I manage these problems?
If you are unsure of the diagnosis, feel unable to manage the condition or the problem is not improving consult your vet.
• Clip away hair from the ear flaps of dogs with pendulous ears to improve ventilation
• Pluck hair out of the ear canals in dogs with excess hair
• For dogs prone to wax build up, clean the ears routinely with our Colloidal Silver Petcare Ear Drops for Dogs. For cats use our Colloidal Silver Petcare Ear Drops for Cats with Botanicals instead
• For chronic ear infections (usually allergy based), use Colloidal Silver Petcare Ear Drops for Dogs or Cats
- Tim Couzens