CLEANING DOG’S AND CAT’S EARS!
Let’s face it…when your veterinarian prescribes an ear cleaner, you know it isn’t going to be easy! Pets really dislike liquids put into their ears-do we blame them?! Here’s a few tips/suggestions regarding pets’ ear health:
- Dogs, cats, and humans have “epithelial migration” meaning a “natural” process of keeping the ear clean where the surface cells (epithelial cells) are shed outward on a regular basis bringing with them wax, debris, and other secretions. It is for this reason that OVERCLEANING can disrupt this process.
- When an owner asks me how often they should clean their pet’s ears, my answer is if there’s nothing wrong with the ears…then don’t! You don’t want to upset this normal epithelial migration.
- Are cat’s ears treated the same way as dog’s ears? NO-cat’s ears tend to hold in whatever topical you’ve put in which is why most veterinary dermatologists do not use a lot of topical medications when it comes to cat’s ear infections.
- Before instilling ANY liquid medication prescribed by your veterinarian as a cleaner, be sure to bring it to room temperature. Cold liquids placed in the ear are not only unpleasant but can cause nausea and vomiting (which can occur in humans also).
- Be sure and consult with your veterinarian in using the proper ear cleaner-for mild, waxy discharge, propylene glycol (don’t use in cats) may be enough. If wax is the problem, a cerumenolytic should be used to break down the wax. If infection is present, then an ear smear performed by your veterinarian is needed to determine if yeast or bacteria are present, then the appropriate topical medication is needed i.e. anti yeast or antibacterial. A topical steroid is often used as maintenance to reduce inflammation in the ear canal to keep it a normal thickness and reduce glandular activity.
- And finally, it is important to get to the underlying reason for the ear infection-are there underlying environmental or food allergies? Is the dog hypothyroid? Is there a tumor or a foreign body in the ear? Is there a polyp present (more common in cats)? Because there are no suitable over the counter (OTC) pet ear medications, it is important to see your veterinarian to address ANY ear issues and prescribe proper medications! #speakingofpets podcast