pontivet / About Ear Infections

ABOUT EAR INFECTIONS AND TREATMENT
Why Ear exams are required in order to dispense ear medications:

1. We need to know what type of infection we're treating.
     A. this can only be done by swabbing the ear discharge and examining it under
          the microscope.
     B. Infection types can and do change. What started as a yeast infection may
           have transitioned to a primarily bacterial infection and vice-versa. What may
           look like ear mites can actually be an infection, etc.

2. We need to design an appropriate treatment plan.
     A. based on the results of the ear swab/cytology, we'll prescribe the
          appropriate cleaner and ointment. There are many different types and
          SOME OINTMENTS ARE NOT SAFE IF THE EAR DRUM IS RUPTURED.
          Sometimes, oral medications are necessary as well.
     B. In some (especially chronic) cases, the lower ear canal is so plugged with
          debris that no amount of cleaner/ointment will be able to penetrate to the
          source of infection. In these cases, we must sedate the pet and do an ear
          flush or the infection will never resolve. We must also evaluate if the ear
          drum is intact or not.

3. We need to identify any underlying factors that may be predisposing the pet to
     ear infections.
     A. Repeated ear infections are not normal. Sometimes food or environmental
         allergies or thyroid problems or improper ear care can be causing ear
          infections. Additional testing for these problems may be required.

****Remember, treating ear infections can be EXPENSIVE!

But improperly or incompletely treating ear infections is MUCH MORE EXPENSIVE!!!