A two-year-old male dachshund takes a rest on the edge of a miniature pool for dogs at a rooftop of a department store event in Tokyo.
By Tiffany Durzi BSc DVM
Many dogs in the Cayman Islands enjoy playing on the beach and swimming in the warm Caribbean water. However, constantly wet ears, can predispose frequent swimmers to painful ear infections.
The medical term for an outer ear infection is otitis externa. Excessive moisture, warmth and wax, can create a favourable environment for microorganisms such as yeast and bacteria, to overpopulate in the ear. The ear can then become red, inflamed, swollen and sore.
Owners may notice their dogs scratching or constantly shaking their heads. Often there will be a foul discharge exuding from the ear canal. If left untreated, the infection will progress to infect the middle or inner ear canals, leading to a serious medical problem.
A visit to the local veterinarian’s office can be crucial in the proper diagnosis and treatment of ear disease. Typically this will include a thorough physical examination including an aural (ear) exam with an instrument called an otoscope. This tool helps to view both the vertical and horizontal canals as well as the tympanic membrane (ear drum).
The veterinarian can also collect a swab of the aural discharge and send it away to an external laboratory to perform a culture and sensitivity test. This test can be very important for recurrent ear infections, and although expensive, will determine what organism(s) is causing the problem and which medicine will be effective. Sometimes blood tests will be required to determine if there are any underlying allergies, hormone or organ problems.
Once the eterinarian confirms otitis externa, appropriate medications may be prescribed and should be used as directed to completion.
Caring for a dog’s ears at home can be very important. Consider the following tips as they relate to the prevention and treatment of ear infections:
- Always dry the ears after a bath or swim using a hand towel. Never stick q-tips into the ear canal as the eardrum (tympanic membrane) can be easily ruptured.
- Keep the hair on the under side of the ear trim. Excess hair promotes moisture and hence the overpopulation of microorganisms. A quick trim with a shaver is best, but never stick it into the canal. Never pluck hair out as this will keep the pores open and provide a good residence for pesky bugs to live.
- Check ears daily for redness, swelling and malodourous discharge. Infections that are caught and treated early rarely lead to serious conditions.
- Invest in a good ear cleaner (purchased over the counter at vet offices) and learn from your veterinarian how to properly clean the ear. Once-weekly cleaning will remove excess wax and dry out the ears, helping to prevent infection.
- Always use medication as directed and finish the whole course of antibiotics.
- If the ears recurrently become infected despite proper care, then one must search for an underlying condition. Consult your local veterinarian.
Cayman Creatures Great and Small is a weekly educational column about animals, written by faculty of St. Matthew’s University, School of Veterinary Medicine.
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