YOUR PET'S HEALTH

    

Mainly in cats, less frequent in dogs. Caused by ear mites (Otodectes synotis) that live inside the ear canal. Typical symptoms are scratching (often scratch wounds around the ears) and a thick, brown discharge in the ear canal.

treatment : topical use of ear ointments with an active ingredient against ear mites (ask your vet) Treatment should be long enough : at least 2 weeks, in some cases several months.

caused by : foreign bodies, allergies, humid climate (dogs that go swimming or after a bath). Breeds with hanging ears or with a lot of hair in their ear canal tend to get this type of ear infection.

predisposition : Breeds with hanging ears or with a lot of hair in their ear canal tend to get this type of ear infection.

symptoms : the infected ear is itching and very painfull, the animal shakes its head and scratches the ears ; the ears 'smell' (mixture of earwax, bacteria, pus and often yeasts and fungus).

treatment : special ear-ointments available at your vet's surgery, sometimes antibiotic treatment necessary as well.

conclusion : clean ears regularly (at least twice a month) Pull out hair that grow in the ear canal regularly (esp. poodles) Dry ears after swimminig or bath If the dog already has an otitis : treat long enough in order to avoid the chronic infection which always needs surgery !