Hey y’all! I hope spring is being nice to all of you. Let’s jump right in and talk about ear problems and your pet! We see a lot of ear problems with different colors and smells. Here are the most common issues we see as groomers. All this info is to help inform and educate. Please seek a veterinarian if your pet is having ear problems.
First, let’s talk about yeast. If you notice Sugar scratching her head on the floor or furniture, she’s probably got a yeast infection in her ears. Here are some other signs of yeast:
- Brown, yellow, or bloody discharge
- Crusted skin on the ear flap
- Head shaking or tilting
- Loss of balance
- Loss of hair around the ear
- Loss of hearing
- Odor in the ear
- Redness or swelling
- Scabs around the opening of the ear
- Unusual eye movements
- Walking in circles, indicating changes in equilibrium
- Waxy residues
Dogs with floppy ears like Cockers and Golden Retrievers and dogs with hair in their ears like Poodles and Shih Tzus are all more susceptible to yeast. But all dogs and cats can get yeast. Their ear canal plunges downward away from the ear opening which leaves a dark, damp, warm spot for the yeast to grow. Other things that contribute to a yeast infection include:
- A grain-based diet
- Hyperactivity
- Improper diet without proper probiotics and supplements
- Over vaccinating
- Stress and anxiety
- Use of certain antibiotics
- Use of certain flea chemicals
Next, let’s talk about ear mites. If Sugar’s ears smell like dirty gym socks and have a black, brown or bloody discharge, you may be dealing with ear mites! And the worse thing, if you have long hair or a beard, those mites can very well get on you and in your ears!! Ear mites are a parasite they can get in your pet at any time. Symptoms of ear mites include:
- Excessive scratching at ears.
- Frequently shaking the head.
- Thick red-brown or black crusts in the outer ear.
- Clumps in the ear canal that look like coffee grounds.
- Abrasions and scratches on the back side of the ears.
- Hearing loss.
Lastly and actually what we as groomers see the least is a common ear infection. There are three types of ear infections your dog can get; otitis externa, media, and internal—affecting different parts of the canine ear. Your vet can diagnose these problems and get you in the right track for healing Sugar.
The best treatment for all these problems is preventing them from starting. If your pet has long, floppy ears help keep them clean and dry. If your pet has ears full of hair like a Schnauzer or Poodle, have that hair removed by a professional. Keeping the ear clean, dry and free of debris is the best way to ensure Sugar will live her best, happiest and healthiest life!!
As with all our articles, these are professional opinions. You should consult your vet for treatment options. If you have a topic, you would like for us to write or a question please call Kuddles n Kisses 2514588226 or visit us on Facebook or send us an email Kuddlesnkisses458@gmail.com!!
Credits to Petmd and The Hub and Akc
