(Commonwealth Union)_Checking your pet’s ears on a frequent basis is the best approach to monitor general ear health and allows you to take necessary action to limit your pet’s chance of developing a more serious problem, such as an inflamed or infected ear.
There may be some cases where ear infections develop for causes beyond your control, with no symptoms prior. This is why periodically inspecting your dog’s ears and even introducing regular ear cleaning into your routine will help prevent potential complications.
It can be difficult to establish the reason of sore or infected ears in some cases. However, there are some factors that increase the likelihood that your pet will develop an ear infection. They include having drooping ears, regular swimming, having an allergy to something, being prone to filthy and/or stinky ears.
Head trembling, scratching, skin redness or swelling in the ear, pain behind the ears, discharge of an unpleasant odour, behavioural changes and animals licking your pet’s ears are some of the symptoms of infected or painful ears. It is critical that you call your veterinarian as soon as possible if your dog exhibits signs of ear discomfort or if the ear does not appear or smell ‘normal’ to you. The earlier you address ear problems, the better the outcome.
A gentle, pH neutral, anti-bacterial ear cleaner, such as EpiOtic, can be used as a stand-alone therapy or as an adjunct to most good ear treatments. Please see your veterinarian or a veterinary nurse for frequency recommendations. When used in conjunction with an ear infection treatment, use EpiOtic first to ensure that the ear canal is clear of wax, pus, and debris. Please consult your veterinarian to see if your ear treatment requires regular cleaning during treatment.
