Signs Your Pet May Have an Ear Infection

Ear infections affect about 20 percent of pets. Dogs tend to develop more ear infections due to the physical shape of their ears. If you live in Collierville, Germantown, Piperton, or the surrounding areas, and you suspect that your pet may be suffering from an ear infection, contact our team at Collierville Animal Clinic today.

The Dangers of Pet Ear Infections

It is important that pet owners learn to identify the signs of an ear infection. Ear infections can develop into more serious conditions. For instance, the infection can spread and lead to hearing loss, facial paralysis, and more.

Warning Signs

If you notice that your pet is exhibiting one or more of these signs, contact our team to schedule an appointment with one of our veterinarians.

• Chronic ear scratching. Ear infections are itchy and your pet is trying to get relief.
• Head shaking, especially after being petted around the head or around the ears.
• Discharge from the ear. This discharge may be dark in color, indicating bleeding from the infection.
• An unpleasant odor emanating from the infected ear. This is almost always a sign that your pet has an ear infection.
• Redness around the inside of the ear. This may be due to inflammation which is a side effect of an ear infection.
• Swelling inside the ear. The tissue lining the ear canal may appear swollen.
• Crusting or scabs inside the ear. If you see any unhealed wounds, crusting, or flaking, this could be due to an ear infection.

The inside of your pet’s ears should look healthy, without odor, and your pet should not flinch or bark when you inspect the ears. For optimal pet wellness, inspect your pet’s ears regularly.

Treatment For Your Pet’s Ear Infection

Our veterinarians can treat an ear infection fairly easily. This is usually done with prescription topical medication. You would continue the treatment course at home. If needed, our vet may also prescribe an oral antibiotic. As with most medical problems, the sooner that treatment begins, the better. If your pet is showing any of the warning signs of an ear infection, contact our team at Collierville Animal Clinic today at 901-853-8519 to schedule an appointment with one of our veterinarians. Our clinic helps pets and their owners from Collierville, Germantown, Piperton, and the surrounding areas.