Astonishing Secrets: Sore Ears

" 'Ear ' ear'. " Says Charlie!

Your pet's ears are hot.  They are swollen.  There is yuck coming out of them.  And it is a Saturday afternoon that your pet has chosen as the moment to drive you nuts with the head shaking and scratching.

(Let's be honest here.. this didn't happen quickly.... but your pet is in distress non the less)

In short, your pet has irritated ears.  I won't go as far as to call it an ear infection yet, as that is really a diagnosis.... and there are alot of things that can cause swollen, yucky ears.....

 But first, I will go through the situations where your pet needs to see the vet quickly .....

1. If there is blood, or yellow liquid coming out of the ear
2. If the ear has been lacerated
3. If it is hanging down, and feels soft like a whoopie cushion (or a small water balloon)
4. If your pet appears to be in alot of pain.

If your doesn't fit into any of the other categories, then you need to make a time to see your vet as soon as you can (but it is not an emergency kind of visit).

Now, if I had 10 cents for every phone call or email out of business hours with a hysterical owner because their pet is in agony over their sore ears, then I wouldn't be writing blogs or working for a living, I would be retired!



Ear infections hurt, so be gentle.

You'll remember that I mentioned earlier that the "Astonishing Secrets" series is to give you practical advice...... so here it is!

Collect the following items...

1. Make up removing pads, or wads of cotton wool, or swabs
2. White vinegar & Cooled boiled water
3. Gloves
4. Vitamin E cream
5. Antihistamines
6. An extra pair of hands - you are not going to be able to do this on your own without causing more pain for your pet
7. Lots of treats.
8. Ear Mite Treatment (most of the ear problems I see are not due to ear mites, but it is worth treating anyway - (I find Revolution by Pfizer works the best for my area, so speak to your own vet locally about what they find works best for them)

Ear Cleaner Recipe:

1. Make up a 50: 50 mix of vinegar and water (i.e 0.25 cup of white vinegar and 0.25 cup of cooled boiled water)
Hint: Instead of vinegar and water, you can use Malaseb shampoo (dilute it 1 part to 30 parts) and the water must be warm.

Technique:

Put your right hand in front of you and shape it to an "L" as in "loser" using your thumb and forefinger.  That is your pet's ear canal - it has a vertical canal and a horizontal canal. 

All you will be able to clean and see is the vertical canal only.  So, a trip to the vet is needed to look and clean deeper.

Dunk your make up removing pads into the ear cleaner mix you have.
Squeeze out as much moisture as you can
Wipe the ear flap part only, cleaning away any discharges that are sitting there.
Clip or trim the hair around if you need to.
Use fresh wipes each time
Start cleaning out the ear canal gently, in a scooping motion, making sure not to push stuff in further.

Please Note:

1. If your pet is in pain, then stop
2. If there is blood, then stop.
3. Don't use cotton tips
4. Don't use olive oil, methylated spirits, eucalyptus oil or anything else that you wouldn't shove into your own ears.

As I've mentioned, this is here to help your pet.  You need to make sure you are giving them lots of treats whilst you are cleaning their ears, and you also need to make sure you don't get yourself bitten or hurt.

How to reduce the swelling?

Many dogs and cats need steroids to control the swelling, as in many cases, the ear infection is due to allergies.   Unless there is a reason why your pet shouldn't be on anithistamines, we recommend your pet has some. 

Our website has an antihistamine dose chart, but you need to know your pet's weight. And remember, it is for Australian Antihistamines.  If you choose to use antihistamines, you accept the risk of any potential adverse resaction.

Now for the pain?

That is where having a great relationship with your vet is going to hold you in good stead.

Do not give your pet Panadol or any paracetamol containing products.
Do not give your pet your own pain medication

DO speak to your vet (or me, if I am your vet),  about what can be used.

And why the Vitamin E cream? - rub a small amount around the ear flap and base - as a moisturising, soothing balm.

But a word of caution, this is general advice only, and is not to replace you taking your pet to the vet.

Naturally, you'll think that what you have done is enough... your pet is alot more comfortable, and you won't need to see a vet.

What do we do?  Why is a vet visit necessary? 

 Well, we can identify why the problem occurred, what the real problem actually is, and what is the best treatment.  And this may involve the use of prescription medications, and the law states ,a vet needs to see your pet to be able to dispense that.

And this is what vets do - diagnose and treat!

Has this helped your pet?