It may be time for a vet visit
It’s not uncommon for a dog to scratch their ears or shake their head. But, when it becomes persistent and frequent it is a warning sign that your dog has an infection.
Other signs to watch for include:
Treatment isn’t one-size-fits-all
Ear infections can crop up due to any number of causes. Our team will examine your pet’s ears and run any necessary tests to confirm the root cause. From there our veterinarian will build a custom care plan for your pet to get them back to happy and healthy as quickly as possible.
Tackle returning infections
Floppy ears are adorable but come at a cost. If your pet has floppy ears they are much more likely to have chronic ear infections. Our team of experts know that this is both uncomfortable for your pet and a headache for you. We will work with you to develop the best treatment plan for your pet’s unique situation.
Identifying the Root Cause of Infection & Ear Pain
Ear mites are a highly contagious mite that lives on the skin surface and in the ear canal.
These mites are not easily observed with the naked eye but can be identified by the irritation, dark and crusty discharge, rash, and hair loss they cause.
Often a seasonal problem, foreign bodies occur when objects wind up in your dog's ear that shouldn't be there. Often times, grass seeds are the culprit.
Your dog may shake their head and have inflamed ears if foreign bodies are the cause of their ear discomfort.
Bacteria is the primary cause of most ear infections in dogs. This will present with general ear infection symptoms.
Treatment generally consists of using a medicated cleanser, antibiotics, and an anti-inflammatory.
Yeast is a fungus that naturally occurs on the skin and ears. But when the balance of yeast is off it can lead to excessive yeast growth.
This results in an itchy, smelly, and greasy discharge from the ear canal.
Excessive moisture in your pet's ear occurs when water gets trapped in the ear or allergies result in moisture secretion from within the ear.
This is best prevented by thoroughly drying your dog's ear after they have a bath or go swimming.
Some dog breeds are just naturally predisposed to ear infections.
Hounds, spaniels, retrievers, and setters are all more likely to develop chronic ear infections. This is due to having floppy ears and extra hair around the ears.
An otoscopic evaluation will be performed on your pet during their exam. This process gives the veterinarian the opportunity to fully examine all parts of the ears. This helps them to make a thorough and accurate diagnosis.
Using the samples collected from your dog’s ear, the veterinarian will run a cytology. This test looks at the samples under a microscope after staining and heat fixation. Checking for mites will include using mineral oil on a slide without heat fixation.
Ear ointment may be prescribed to aid in complete healing. It’s important to follow the treatment exactly to avoid reinfection.
This is the process of collecting a sample from the ear for further testing. Our team will gently collect a sample from your dog’s ears using an ear swab.
While in-office, your dog’s vet may recommend we do a deep ear flush and thorough cleaning. This will likely be followed by a prescription ear cleaner that you will use at home during the treatment process.
Sometimes a result of scratching from ear infections a burst blood vessel will produce a fluid-filled pocket in the ear. This requires immediate treatment as it can lead to permanent disfigurement to the ear or ear canal. Our team will discuss options for surgical treatment if your pet has developed an ear hematoma.
"I just love Dr Q and staff!! We just moved here from out of state and cannot be happier with my doggies vet care here!! I am so glad we found such a wonderful Dr and office! Highly recommended."
"My experience is always over and above my expectations! Dr. Qasim has taken care of my three dogs and on kitty for years and years! Thank you so much for taking good care of all of my babies for years."
"If I could give this place more stars, I would. Everyone is honest and genuine. I was lucky enough to find this one. I’m very happy with the service and will continue to be a long term customer."
"Not only were the surgical outcomes positive, the service and standard of care were top notch. The staff is super attentive and friendly and services are delivered in a timely fashion. 5 stars!"
"Wouldn't go anywhere else, worth the drive! We bring our 2 cats 45 minutes each way because we love this vet. 2 more kittens are coming home and we have the appointment ready for their first check up."
"Windermere Veterinary Services is the best! He has been my veterinarian for over 5 years. He is amazing and truly cares for animals. The staff is great. I would highly recommend Windermere Veterinary!"
"Dr. Qasim gives me options to both help me stay in budget while still being able to treat my pet. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Windereme Veterinary Services and their sister location Dr. Phillips Animal Hospital!"
"Such a nice staff and doctors. Treat our two French bulldogs with great care. Plus they are affiliated with Dr Phillips Animal hospital which is open until 11 pm. This Vet is Highly recommended. 5 stars!"
Windermere’s Top Vet
Dr. Bilal Qasim has been serving animals and pet owners in Central Florida for over 17 years. With extended hours, he knows that accidents and injuries don’t always happen at convenient times. Dr. Qasim and his team will care for your pet like they were their own so that you can get back to a normal, healthy life again.
Windermere’s Top Vet
Dr. Bilal Qasim has been serving animals and pet owners in Central Florida for over 17 years. With extended hours, he knows that accidents and injuries don’t always happen at convenient times. Dr. Qasim and his team will care for your pet like they were their own so that you can get back to a normal, healthy life again.
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