I have a short-haired exotic cat. Her coat is quite dense, and we groom her 1-2 times per year. She is typically an indoor cat but will often go out at least once per day to catch some rays and relax in the sun!
We noticed upon one of her first examinations, inside her ears were extremely dirty, yet she showed no signs of infection or discomfort. With veterinary advice, we got a swab from her ear that was then examined under a microscope to look for potential bacteria or fungi. The test was done within minutes and it can tell the vet everything they need to know to begin treatment. Luckily for my beautiful cat, it turned out she just gets extremely dirty ears! Since then, every few months I bring her in for a full ear clean for maintenance. Our skilled nurse’s wash her ears with a cleansing solution and warm water to remove all the dirt and debris.
Although my cat is ok, Otitis (ear infections) can affect cats and can be quite common in dogs. Some signs to look out for are:
- Scratching their ears
- Shaking their heads
- Rubbing their ears on the floor
- Red, inflamed ears
- Unpleasant smell
- Discharge inside the ear
If an infection has been detected, it is usually treated by putting drops or ointments directly into the affected area. If your pet is in pain, we also may give anti-inflammatory for the pain. It can be quite painful and distressing and won’t get better by itself so it’s important to monitor your pet and look out for any signs and symptoms.
Some breeds are more susceptible including breeds with long floppy ears that can cover the canal opening and restricts air flow and traps moisture.
If you think suspect that your pet could potentially have sore ears – give us a call and our vets can examine and treat accordingly.
