Ear infections are among the most frequent we see at Katy Area Veterinary Medical Group. Regular pet care includes cleaning your pet's ears, but they are the same as humans and can get yeast or bacterial infections in their ears. This is especially true of dogs with floppy ears as the ears allow moisture to stay trapped inside the ear. When this happens, it is time to make an appointment with the animal hospital veterinarian in Katy.
What Causes an Ear Infection
Ear infections can be caused by several different things. The simplest and most common is not getting the inside of the ear dry after cleaning. This allows the bacteria to build up. Other causes include ear mites, wax buildup, and even allergies. Some of the most common signs that your pet has an ear infection include:
- Shaking its head frequently
- Scratching at his ears
- Whining
- Odor
- Yellowish or brownish discharge
- Scabs in and around the ears
If ear infections are left untreated, your pet could lose its hearing or have balance problems. At the least, an ear infection is painful and causes distress for your pet.
Ear Infection Treatment
The vet will run tests on the infection in order to tell whether it is a yeast or bacterial one. This allows him to know what medication is necessary. Your pet's ears will need to be cleaned thoroughly. Once they are cleaned, you will have to put ear drops in. The length of time necessary for treatment will depend on what is causing the infection and what kind of medication is used. We will show you how to administer the ear drops if you have never done so before.
Some animals, such as those with allergies, may experience recurrent ear infections. If this happens, we will need to test to find out what is causing the problem. Once we can narrow that down, we will be able to recommend a course of treatment that includes the elimination of the culprit if at all possible.
Veterinarian in Katy
Katy Area Veterinary Group consists of three animal hospital locations, each run by a staff of a veterinarian in Katy and assistants. With our individual specialties, you can be sure your pet will be in caring, qualified hands for an ear infection, wellness checkup, or illness. Call and set up an appointment now to meet our staff and see how we can become part of your regular pet care routine.