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 sore 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 acute ear problems in dogs, use our Colloidal Silver Petcare Ear Drops for Dogs
