If are careless with the protection of your pet’s ears, it may only be a matter of time before infections and other health challenges start setting in, putting your pet’s overall health in danger. Just like pet dental health, pet ear care involves a combination of at-home practices and occasional visits to a veterinarian.
If you want to learn more about pet ear care, keep scrolling as we at Fort Hunt Animal Hospital serving Alexandria, VA, shed more light on this topic.
Symptoms of Pet Ear Infections
Since your cat or dog’s ears are L-shaped, they are susceptible to attracting moisture, germs, and dirt that puts them at risk of infections. If debris isn’t removed by cleaning, it may lead to infections that may exhibit symptoms like:
- Itchiness
- Smelly discharge
- Redness in the ear canal
- Swelling around the ear
- Pawing at the infected ears
- Head shaking or tilting of the head
- Hearing loss
- Loss of balance
- Walking in circles
If you notice your pet exhibits one or more symptoms of pet ear infections, schedule an appointment with a veterinarian on our team. Failing to treat ear infections can lead to further health complications.
How to Take Care of a Pet’s Ears
Taking care of your pet’s ears is not an option because infections and foreign objects can lodge in the ears, causing untold health problems. Considering this, observe the following tips and tricks to take care of your pet’s ears:
- Cleaning: Cleaning your pet’s ears isn’t rocket science. All you need is an appropriate ear wash. Ear cleaning gets rid of wax buildup and relieves itching. Just put a few drops in the ear, apply some liquid to the cotton bud, and carefully swab the inside of the ear to remove dirt. However, be careful not to push the cotton ball deep inside the ear canal.
- Frequently check your pet’s ears: What can go wrong with your pet’s ears? Bacteria, allergies, ear mites, yeast, and other infections can alter the optimal functioning of the ears. Look out for discharge, swelling, redness, and other symptoms that indicate the presence of an infection. Also, look inside the ear canal to spot foreign objects. When you see any foreign object, you can remove it on your own with tweezers if it is not stuck too badly. If it is or you just want help, book an appointment with a veterinarian at our animal hospital for expert removal.
- Visit a veterinarian: There is so much you can do to take care of your pet’s ears. Sometimes, you need the help of a vet, especially when you have spotted signs of an infection. Also, regular ear exams will catch any ear problems (like ear mites) before they cause further problems.
Contact Us for a Pet Ear Care from a Veterinarian at Our Animal Hospital
Looking for pet ear care services in Alexandria, VA? Get our help at Fort Hunt Animal Hospital for your pet care needs, including pet ear care. Call us at (703) 360-6100.
