Painful Ears

Did you wake up in the middle of the night to hear your pet scratching its ear, shaking its head, having restlessness, hyperirritability, and pain?

These are the usual signs that your dog or cat may be suffering from an ear problem.

CAUSES OF COMMON EAR PROBLEMS

Dogs

Ear mites
Dog mange
Food or medicine allergy
Bacterial and/or fungal infection
Foreign body
Cancer in old dogs

Cats

Ear mites (microscopic insects that live inside the ears)
Cat mange (microscopic insects that live on the outside of the ears and face)
Excessive ear wax
Infection
Allergy

WHY YOU NEED TO BRING YOUR PET TO THE VET

Your vet will perform a physical exam and examine your pet’s ear swab under the microscope. The swab may help identify bacteria, fungus, or parasitic insects that damage your pet’s ears.

You may also need to declare if you recently fed your pet with a new diet or treat, to rule out food allergy.

If your pet has painful ears, it may need a prescription of pain-killer and ear drops.

WHEN YOU CAN’T FIND A VET AT THIS TIME

Step 1

Identify if one or both ears are affected. Take photos for reference.

Step 2

Bring your pet to a quiet and well lighted room. Place on a level surface to help you see and touch the ears properly.

To clean the outside of the ears, apply Povidone-Iodine solution gently using cotton buds or balls. Cover all the wounds made by excessive scratching.

To clean the inside of the ears, dip a cotton bud in baby oil or mineral oil. Gently insert the tip only at a depth that your eyes can see. Bring the tip at the side to scoop out the discharge. Take a photo of the discharge for reference. Repeat until your tip is free from discharge.

If the above procedures cause severe pain and aggression to your pet, abort. Bring your pet to a veterinary professional.

Step 3

Attach an Elizabethan collar to prevent further trauma. Excessive scratching may lead to serious wounds that may prolong the disease and promote infection. This may take 7-14 days, depending on how fast the ears will heal.

PREVENTION

Superficially insert big cotton balls on each ear of your pet before giving it a bath to prevent water from getting in.
Remind your pet groomer to disinfect the razor prior to using it to your pet to prevent acquisition of mange from contaminated objects. Also bring your own towel and brushes that the groomer can exclusively use for your pet.
Do not bring your pet near other pets that have itchy ears or skin, as they may pass the ear mites to your pet.
Wash hands before and after handling your pet
Do not self-medicate.

Note

Look for an emergency service provider in advance by calling your nearby vets. It helps to know who is open at the middle of the night. Be sure you meet with the doctors and staff to make sure that this place is where you would want to take your pet if you had to. You may opt to transfer your pet to your primary care veterinarian the next day if you wish.

Reminders The information contained here is not meant to take place of a diagnosis, consultation, or treatment. Any article is not meant to be a substitute for advice from your veterinarian. It intends to inform you about the topic and first line home care options, that could help you decide if your pet needs to be seen immediately. Any reliance you place on this information is strictly at your own risk. If the condition persists, your pet must be seen by your primary care veterinarian in order to receive the safest and most effective treatment.
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