Sick otitis externa dogs and cats Ear infections, also known as ear infections, are a fairly common disease in cats and dogs. It is not only uncomfortable and painful, but also greatly affects the pet's health. In this article, we will learn about otitis externa in dogs and cats.
Causes of otitis externa in cats and dogs
- Due to parasites: Dogs and cats have parasites such as mites, lice, and scabies parasitic in the ears of dogs and cats, causing them to itch, scratch a lot, causing damage to the ears leading to infections and inflammation of the outer ear.
- Bacterial and fungal: Some breeds of dogs with droopy ears, soft ears such as coker spaniels are very susceptible to ear fungus when the outside environment is humid or when water gets into the ear due to the humid environment causing bacteria and fungi to cause ear infections in dogs. Cats proliferate causing damage to the ears of cats and dogs, causing inflammation.
- Hormonal imbalance: The body of dogs and cats has an imbalance of hormones that causes skin diseases or ear diseases. Thyroid hormones, glucocorticoids produced by the adrenal glands, can affect ear and skin health.
- Foreign body in the ear: When dogs and cats play, they may unfortunately get the relics into the ears and get stuck inside, making them feel uncomfortable and constantly scratching their ears, causing damage and inflammation of the outer ear for a long time.
- Allergic cats and dogs: Dogs and cats can also be allergic to food or to surrounding objects. Ears are the first part of the body that is easily irritated, causing a pet to have an ear infection.
Symptoms of dogs and cats with otitis externa
Sick otitis externa for dogs and cats It is not easy to detect if you do not regularly pick your pet's ears or take your pet for grooming and cleaning at pet care facilities. However, if you observe them carefully yourself, you can also recognize otitis externa in your pet early through the following symptoms:
- Dogs and cats scratching their ears or the area around them
- Swollen dog and cat ears that are brown, yellow or bloody
- Dogs and cats have pus in their ears
- Dog and cat ears are red
- Dog and cat ears with crusts and scales inside or outside the ears
- Dogs and cats have hair shaking inside and outside their ears
- Dogs and cats rub their ears against the wall or house due to itching
- Dogs and cats shake their heads or tilt their heads
- Dogs and cats move abnormally
- Dogs and cats with hearing loss or hearing loss
- Dog and cat ears have a fishy, unpleasant odor
- Dogs and cats have expressions such as sadness, irritability, loss of appetite
3. How to treat otitis externa in dogs and cats?
If you suspect that your pet has an otitis externa, you should take him to the doctor veterinarian for timely diagnosis and treatment. Your veterinarian will use an otoscope to examine the ear canal for foreign objects or tumors and to check the condition of the eardrum.
Next, the doctor will take ear fluid to determine the causative agent of the infection and possibly do an antibiotic chart (to test the sensitivity of the bacteria to antibiotics if necessary). From there, your veterinarian will make an appropriate diagnosis and course of treatment for your cat. Most pet cases of otitis externa can be cured if the right cause is identified and treated promptly.
Pets with otitis externa often suffer from pain, often scratching and shaking their heads with their paws. This will easily cause a hemangioma, when the blood vessels in the ear are broken due to excessive scratching or shaking of the head. This condition will require minor surgical intervention. In addition, long-term otitis externa can also lead to otitis media, causing perforation of the eardrum and seriously affecting the pet's hearing. Therefore, if you detect the above signs, you need to take your baby to veterinary facilities for timely examination and treatment.
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