It's easy to experience ear envy when comparing out hearing power with that of our dogs and cats. The design of their ears allows them to raise, rotate, and tune in to the faintest sounds. Which explains why your cat rushes in at the first sound of the electric can opener or why your dog alerts you to the mail carrier who's still half a block away.
But that heightened sensitivity comes at a price. Their ears can also be sensitive to health problems, unless we regularly check them and practice preventive maintenance. Mites, bacterial or yeast infections, allergic reactions, excess water and dirt can wreak havoc in our pets' ears, causing them to scratch, itch, shake their head, lose their balance and even develop deafness. Dogs, particularly those with floppy ears, are especially at risk because their ear flaps can trap dirt and debris setting the stage for infections or parasites. Cats tend to develop fewer ear woes because of their fastidious nature and upright, open ear design, says Dawn Logas, DVM, a board-certified veterinary dermatologist in Silver Spring, FL.
"The size and length of their ear canal, the amount of hair in the ears, whether the ears are erect or floppy, and how much wax is produced can all be factors in the health of your pet's ears," explains Emily Rothstein, DVM, a veterinary dermatologist at the Animal Allergy and Dermatology Service in Plantsville, CT.
The weighty floppy ears in breeds such as cocker spaniels and basset hounds close off the ear canals from ventilating air. This low-oxygen environment creates a sauna-like haven for yeast and bacteria to grow.
from Prevention magazine, June 2003
