Your Pets can have Ear Problems Too

Why does your cat rush in to the kitchen at the first faint sound of the can opener? Why does your dog alert you to the mail carrier who is still a half a block away?  Our pets have brilliantly designed ears that allow them to raise, rotate and tun in to the faintest sounds.  That's something to be envious of.

However, this heightened sensitivity can come at a price for our pets.  Just as ours can, cat and dog ears can be sensitive to health problems.  We need to be proactive and regularly check their ears and practice preventive maintenance.  Mites, bacterial or yeast infections, allergic reactions, excess water and dirt can all wreak havoc in those amazing ears.  You might see them scratch their ears, shake their head, nip if you get too close to their ears, lose their balance, and even lose hearing.

Dogs seem to be even more at risk that cats, especially those with floppy ears, because those ear flaps can trap dirt and debris and cause a decreased amount of air ventilation which can become a breeding ground for yeast and bacteria to grow.

Don't let it go.  Contact your veterinarian at the first signs of ear problems. It's going to be hard for you to make a diagnosis yourself, so leave that to the professionals.  Inflammation of that outer ear can be a symptom of several things like parasites, allergies, a simple ear infection, tumors or other medical conditions such as hyperthyroidism.

Six reasons to see your vet:

1. your pet constantly scratches her ears.

2. you can smell a foul odor coming from the ears.

3. your pet's ears are tender to the touch.

4. your pet has trouble with balance.

5. the ears are bleeding or swollen.

6. your pet seems to have trouble hearing.