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Ear infections occur with great frequency in dogs and
cats. Infections of the external or outer ear
canal are by far the most common problem seen with our
pet's ears.
Most commonly, infection of the external ear canal
include bacterial infections, yeast or fungus infection,
and ear
mite infection. Infection of the external
ear canal can be either simple or infrequent, or it
can be chronic leading to severe ear canal disease.
Chronic infection of the ears in dogs usually is associated
with an underlying cause or disease syndrome.
In cats the most common cause of chronic ear infection
is brought upon by ear mites. Dogs can be affected
by ear mites too, but cats are the natural host and
carriers for this parasite. Dogs will often time
become infected from associating with a cat with an
ear mite infection.
What then can lead to chronic ear infection in our
dogs. Most commonly associated as an underlying
cause of ear infection in the dog is allergies.
Allergic dogs release histamine and other so-called
"mediators of inflammation" in patterned regions
about the skin over their body.
External ear canals being covered by skin, are often
times involved with this release of inflammatory
mediators, which of course is very irritating and
itchy to the dog. Dogs with this pattern of inflammatory
mediator release often shake their heads, or scratch
at their ears to try and relieve the irritation.
This type of scratching and shaking of the head, if
done excessively, is usually the first sign of impending
ear problems secondary to an allergic condition.
If in the course of shaking the head or scratching
at the ears, a blood vessel should rupture within the
ear flap itself, the result is what is known as an ear
hematoma.
The secondary reaction to the release of inflammatory
mediators in the ears, is excessive production of ear
wax. This excessive production of wax provides
a medium for bacteria and or yeast which normally inhabit
the external ear canal, to flourish.
Bacteria and yeast are organisms that are considered
opportunists. This means, they live in virtual
harmony with the host until the opportunity to grow
is presented to them. Dark, moist, environments
are their favorite in which to grow. Thus, the
external ear canal being a dark place, given the extra
added moisture of wax, then creates an ideal environment
for pre-existing bacteria and or yeast to grow.
Bacterial or yeast infections therefore typically
develop in the affected individual, and are not created
by spread from another infected individual.
As this infection occurs, by-products of digestion
of the bacteria and yeast occur, which results in a
discharge material characteristic of infection within
the external ear canal. Left untreated, this infection
can work its way into the middle and inner ear, causing
more serious concerns as vital nerve structures and
the equilibrium balance center are located in the middle
and inner ear respectively. If infection remains
in the external ear canal, yet is left untreated, over
time the tissue of the external ear becomes extremely
thickened and cauliflower like, which serves to further
occlude the external ear canal.
Thus a vicious cycle begins, as the discharge deep
in the external ear canal can not escape and continues
to build up, creating an even more perfect environment
for bacteria and or yeast to survive. At this
point, aggressive medical therapy aimed at the infection
in the ear, as well as the inflammation is necessary.
For cases that fail to respond to medication, surgery
to remove this thickened tissue about the external ear
is often required, in order to establish drainage from
deep within the ear canal.
Water in the ears (much like swimmer's ear in people),
or overly aggressive cleaning of the ears with hydrogen
peroxide, can as well create a good environment for
bacteria and yeast to grow. If at home remedies
for ear cleaning are preferred, the best mixture to
reach for is white vinegar in water as a 50/50 mixture.
The vinegar acts to break down the wax in the ear, and
creates a pH in the ear which prohibits the growth
of bacteria and yeast.
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