Skin and Ear infections

Skin and Ear problems are not uncommon in the pet community.

These conditions can result in a variety of painful symptoms, and some of them can grow increasingly serious without prompt treatment. Here at Apex Animal Hospital, we not only treat these skin and ear problems — we also offer preventative checkups and home care recommendations to prevent them from happening in the first place.

Many animals’ skin and ears offer a relatively large passageway from the outside world into the ear canal, and ultimately to the delicate structures of the middle and inner ear. This complex architecture provides not only for hearing but also for normal balance. Older dogs who appear dizzy or tend to lean in one direction, for example, may be suffering from an inner ear disorder. A more common everyday threat, however, is infection.

A dog ear infection may be caused by a wide range of irritants, pests and/or germs that enter the ear canal. Ear mites in cats are a typical example. These tiny creatures are almost invisible but can cause a great deal of trouble and discomfort for your pet. They use the natural oils and ear wax as a food source and seem to have a special affinity for outdoor cats, though they can be spread from cats to dogs. Ear mites cause your pet to scratch or paw at the itchy ear continuously, and this abuse can cause the smaller blood vessels under the skin to burst, forming a painful, swollen hematoma of the ear flap. The constant scratching may also break the skin, allowing bacteria to enter and creating a secondary dog ear infection. Bacteria, allergens or other foreign matter can also enter the ear directly, creating redness, swelling, itching and pain. Serious ear infections may even lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss. Over scratching can result in rupture of ear blood vessels and ear hematoma.

Allergies are another important factor.  In pets we often seen as skin rash or an ear infection. Many food or environmental allergies result in dermatitis and ear infections. Yeast and Bacteria that normally live in the ear and skin can cause secondary infections.

How we treat these conditions:

Many of the skin and ear problems are preventable by regular hygiene practices  and periodic evaluation at our veterinary clinic. We will teach you how to take care of the skin and ears of your loving pet.
After the exam we can , discover the underlying cause, and prescribe the proper medications or other treatments to resolve the issue and relieve your pet’s discomfort.