An ear infection, technically referred to as 'otitis,'
occurs when the ear canal becomes infected. Any dog or
cat, regardless of breed, can get an ear infection, although
the problem is more common in cats than in dogs. Dogs
that have long or floppy ears and those with lots of hair
on the inner ear flaps are at greater risk. Among cats, the
Persian breed seems to be more predisposed to getting
ear infections.

Ear infections can be quite painful for your pet, and
infections that are left untreated for too long can cause
more serious problems, including deafness. The good news is
that many ear infections are easily treated with medication and
thorough ear cleaning.

What Is an Ear Infection?
Ear infections occur for a variety of reasons, including parasites
such as mites (a common problem in cats), allergies, foreign
bodies (such as grass awns), bacterial or yeast infections, excessive hair, excess earwax, a growth inside the ear, or excessive moisture in the ear (such as from swimming).
In most cases, dogs and cats develop ear infections in the outer portion of the ear canal. This is called 'otitis externa.' When an ear infection worsens, it can spread farther down the ear canal and damage sensitive membranes, such as
the eardrum. This is called 'otitis media' or 'otitis externa,' depending on how far down the ear canal the infection has spread. Otitis media and interna infections could result in
rupture of the eardrum.

Diagnosing the Problem
An infected ear is often painful to the touch. Depending on the cause of the infection, there may also be a bad smell; a crusty, black material; or a thick, oozing liquid involved as well.
Dogs and cats with ear infections typically will shake their head frequently and scratch at the base of the ear as a result of irritation and discomfort from the infection. Severe ear
infections can cause redness and inflammation of the ear, nausea and vomiting, frequent tilting of the head, lack of balance, vision problems, or hearing loss. If you notice your dog
or cat showing any of these signs, contact your veterinarian.
An ear infection is diagnosed by examining the outside of the affected ear as well as taking a look inside the ear canal with an instrument called an otoscope. Your veterinarian also will likely take a sample of the debris in the ear canal to examine under a microscope and culture to determine the cause of the infection. Some pets may need to be sedated for a thorough examination and diagnostic tests.

'Ears' to Your Pet's Health
In general, ear infections in both dogs and cats are easy to treat with medication and daily ear cleaning for 1 to 2 weeks. It is important to note that while medicine often cures the problem in most pets, some ear infections are caused by allergies or other underlying medical problems. In those cases, additional examination and treatment may be needed. Because many animals are prone to repeated ear infections, it is important
to see your veterinarian for follow-up visits to ensure that the infection has fully cleared.

In general, ear infections in both dogs and cats are easy
to treat with medication and daily ear cleaning for 1 to
2 weeks.