How to Recognize Pet Ear Infections and What to Do About Them
As close as we are with our pets, the fact is that we cannot communicate with them when things may be going wrong. When your pet isn't feeling well, you may notice some signs but not know exactly what's wrong or how to help them. But the good news is that at All Care Animal Clinic in West Palm Beach we see and treat a wide variety of pet health issues on a regular basis. The earlier the health issues in your pet is caught by our veterinarians, the better. One of the common problems that is confusing for pet owners is, ear infections.
Why Pet Ear Infections Need to Be Treated
Ear infections are a very common health issue with pets to be aware of. Even though they may not seem all that serious, leaving an ear infection untreated can lead to more serious health issues later on. Furthermore, it's important to realize that your pet's hearing is actually a lot more important to them than it may be to you. Dogs and cats can hear things that we cannot, and even minor infections can cause a serious disruption in their daily lives. Recognizing an ear infection early on and bringing them to a veterinarian for proper diagnosis is crucial to their wellbeing.
How to Recognize Pet Ear Infections
The good news is that even though we cannot directly communicate with pets, there are various signs we can look for to determine what might be wrong with them. At our clinic in West Palm Beach, we've seen a lot of ear infections in both dogs and cats. Here are some general signs you can look for that may indicate this health problem:
- Head shaking
- Frequent head tilting
- Circling behavior (your pet may walk around in a circle, almost as though their ear is "leading" them)
- Ear discharge
- Unusual and/or unpleasant smell coming from the ear
- Swollen ear (inside or out)
- Ear redness (may be more visible on thinner ears or ears with less hair)
- Frequent pawing and / or scratching at the head
- Crusting or scabs forming on or in the ears
- Unusual eye twitching or movements
Please keep in mind that your pet will most likely exhibit only a few of these symptoms rather than all of them. Behavior that comes about with pet ear infections varies greatly from pet to pet, so while some may scratch frequently at their ears, others may seem to ignore the problem entirely. If you see any of these signs in your pet, please give us a call to schedule an appointment. The sooner we diagnose the infection, the faster we can treat it and get your pet back to their healthy, happy self!