Ear Disease
Head shaking and ear scratching may mean inflammation has already begun inside.
Signs to watch for
- Odor from the ears with more discharge
- Frequent head shaking or a head tilt
- Scratching around the ears causing wounds
- Red, swollen ear flaps
- Slower response when called
What causes it?
Otitis externa
The ear canal is a warm, humid tunnel where bacteria and yeast grow easily. Floppy ears and frequent swimming or baths raise the humidity and invite inflammation.
Ear mites
Signature dark, coffee-ground-like debris; common in kittens. Housemate animals must be treated together to prevent reinfection.
Allergy showing in the ears
Recurrent ear infections are often a sign of underlying skin allergy. Treating only the ears invites relapse, so we look at the root cause together.
How we diagnose & treat
- 1
Step 1. Otoscopic exam
We examine the ear canal and eardrum and evaluate the discharge.
- 2
Step 2. Microscopy
Discharge is examined to distinguish bacteria, yeast, and mites so the right medication is chosen.
- 3
Step 3. Cleaning & treatment
Ear canal cleaning followed by targeted medication (drops and/or oral).
- 4
Step 4. Relapse management
We teach proper ear cleaning, and pursue allergy workup for repeat cases.
Key conditions
- Otitis externa
- Otitis media
- Ear mites
- Foreign body in ear canal
- Aural hematoma
- Chronic proliferative otitis
FAQ
We advise against it — swabs push debris deeper and can scratch the ear canal. We will show you how to care for the outer ear with a cleaning solution.
Contact Us
Ask us about these symptoms
10:00 AM – 9:00 PM · Closed Tuesdays (Open weekends)