Tag Archives: ear

Keeping It Cool

Keeping It Cool

Leave a reply

Keeping It Cool

 

Keeping It Cool It is vital to ensure that your pet keeps cool in hot weather. Our Keeping It Cool pet blog talks about summer safety for your pet during the warmer weather. From walking your dog in early mornings to UV alert, it’s all included. Read our Keeping It Cool pet blog here.

 

Rabbits: don’t get caught on the hop! 

Our Keeping It Cool pet blog, talks about bunny care. Did you know that rabbits are the third most popular pet in the UK. Just like cats and dogs, rabbits benefit from regular vaccinations and health checks to keep them fit and well. Flystrike is another very serious problem for rabbits, understand how to protect your bunny in our Pet Blog here.

 

Keeping It Cool

 

 

Ear disease and aches

are surprisingly common in pets and often result in head shaking and ear scratching. It’s a good idea to check your pet’s ears regularly to pick up on any problems early, if left too long, ear disease can become very difficult to treat. Our Pet Blog, discusses how your pets ears work and where problems can occur.

 

Also included in this Summer’s Pet Blog, Neutering my pet – Besides preventing unwanted pregnancies, there is a wide range of benefits for both male and female pets when it comes to neutering.

Seasonal Itches – As the weather warms up, have you noticed your pet is scratching more than usual? Our Keeping It Cool Pet Blog discusses some of the possible causes of skin irritation that could affect your pet.

We understand that every pet we see if unique, and that owners know their pets best. Our West London surgeries offer a full range of services available for your and your pet, contact our friendly team today and see how we can help you.

On Snowy Days

Leave a reply

On Snowy Days

 

On Snowy Days remember to check your pets paws after walks and give them a wipe down. If you have been walking on gritted pavements a quick paw wash and towel dry can help stop sore irritated pads and paws. Our Winter News explains the things pet owners need to be aware of during the cold periods.

 

 

Ear Ear! Watch out for ear disease!

In order to effectively treat ear conditions it is important to identify the underlying cause. Our Winter Newsletter explains the different types of ear problems and the signs to watch out for. The longer an ear problem is left, the harder they are to manage effectively. If you have concerns about your pets ears, please contact our team and arrange an appointment for your pet.

 

Puppy and Dog care

Pets ears come in all shapes and sizes.

 

Sore joints

Pets with joint problems often start to struggle in the cold weather. Our Winter News explains the signs to watch out for in your pet. Many older pets could benefit from a joint supplement and a change in exercise routine, contact our experienced team if your pet is showing signs of slowing down.

 

We hope you enjoy reading On Snowy Days – If you have any questions on the articles mentioned please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly team for further help and advice.

How and when to clean your dog's ears

Leave a reply

Have a look at this ear cleaning video if you would like any tips on how to clean your own dogs ears.  Dogs ears should normally look clean when you look inside, so if there is a dark waxy discharge,  you can use an ear cleaner to loosen the wax and clean out the ear. We would recommend coming to the surgery to pick up an ear cleaner, and the nurse or vet can recommend the best one to use.
If the ear looks very red, has an abnormal smell, or is sore, then you should make an appointment with your vet, to have it checked before using any ear cleaners.
See www.youngvets.co.uk for contact details of your local surgery

 

 

Dog ear infections and causes

Leave a reply

Dog ear infections are commonly seen in many breeds but why is this ?

ear anatomy

Certain breeds such as those with long floppy ears may be more susceptible, but we do see ear infections in all breeds with all types of ears.

The main causes are

  • Bacterial or fungal infection– if the ear becomes full of wax, it blocks the air flow into the ear, and it becomes hot and sticky. The normal bacteria or fungi that live on all skin can then grow rapidly and cause an infection. This often causes the ear to give off a pungent smell.

Treatment involves a visit to your vet to confirm the infection and then usually a course of  antibiotic containing ear drops, possibly with an ear cleaner and  oral antibiotic tablets.

Prevention- keeping the ear free from a build up of wax is the most important way to prevent ear infections. You can use an ear cleaner which helps dissolve and move the wax out of the ear once or twice weekly.

ear cleaning solutions

  • Allergies–  unfortunately allergies are common in dogs to a variety of indoor and outdoor allergens. The commonest  allergen is the house dust mite,  however other allergens such as  pollens and grasses can occur.  Food allergies are rarer but do sometimes occur.  All of these allergens can cause inflammation and redness of the outer ear and ear canal lining. This causes increased secretion of wax and a secondary infection often follows.

Treatment involves investigation of underlying allergies with possibly exclusion diets, or blood tests. The allergy will need to be treated as well as the ear infection, to prevent recurrences of the ear infection.

  • Ear mites can be the cause of an infection, but as they are passed on by close contact between dogs such as grooming each other, they are much more common in young puppies. If your puppy has noticeably waxy ears you should ask your vet to check him for ear mites.

Treatment may involve ear drops for some weeks and a spot on treatment such as stronghold.

  • Grass seeds can lodge in the ear canal and cause acute onset head shaking as well as secondary ear infections. They are mainly a problem in the summer months.

Treatment usually requires either heavy sedation or anaesthetic to remove the grass seed as it often passes deep down to the level of the ear drum.