Ears and eyes in dogs and cats are susceptible to a host of ailments. Some are serious, others more easily treated but it is essential that if your pet is suffering from either that you get them to your vet and do not try to self-medicate. Self-medicating can do more harm than good and permanently damage your pet. Dogs with long ears, like Spaniels, and those that like to swim, like Retrievers, are more susceptible to ear complaints.
Ears and eyes: symptoms to look out for
• Repeated, vigorous scratching of the ear
• Discharge from the ear
• Bad smell from the ears
• Obvious foreign object in eye
• Tearing, thick discharge from eye
• Squinting or rubbing of the eye
Ears and eyes: diagnosis and treatment
It’s absolutely essential that you get your dog to a vet if he shows any of the symptoms above. Never, ever try to self-medicate ears and eyes unless your vet has shown you how. Pouring something into your dog’s ear or cat’s eye could cause permanent damage. If your pet needs medication for either, your vet will show you the correct method to apply it.
Ear infections can be chronic and if this is your dog’s problem, your vet will first determine whether or not he has an underlying allergy which might be the cause. Without identifying and treating the allergy, the ear infections will continue.
Your vet will also investigate the potential for a drug-resistant bacterial infection. In this case, he or she will take a slide smear and prepare a culture to determine the right kind of antibiotics.
Swollen or ‘cabbage’ ears
Sometimes a dog or cat’s ear flap will swell up. Your vet will investigate underlying causes, like ear mites or infection. Surgery is usually prescribed to rid of the ear of the blood. If it isn’t drained, the ear becomes deformed or ‘cabbage-like’. This affects blood flow in the ear and can put the animal at higher risk of infections. If your dog or cat has ear problems, they must be urgently addressed in order to avoid chronic problems in the future. Find out more about this condition here https://www.cottagevet.co.za/my-dogs-ear-is-swollen-whats-wrong/
Eyes
Given how sensitive and important our own eyes are, pet owners often become very stressed if their pets show any signs of eye discomfort yet there are only two serious eye emergencies pet owners need to worry about. They are: if the eye is hanging out of its socket, or if there is a foreign object in the eye. Any other problems must seen to by your vet as soon as possible but they are not considered emergencies.
• Corneal ulcer
This is the most common eye ailment seen by vets. It is caused by a surface injury to the eye as a result of trauma. It is usually easily treated, unless the pet owner has waited too long to bring the pet for treatment. There is no risk of sight loss.
• Dry eyes
This is a common problem among dogs that don’t produce enough tears. Symptoms include thick, yellow-green discharge. Chronic symptoms can leave scars on the eye, and the dog may go blind unless this condition is treated.
Never, ever self-medicate. You could permanently damage your pet’s eyes. The only time you apply ointment or drops to your pets is those that have been prescribed by your vet for that particular ailment.
Cats’ eyes
If a cat has a sore eye or there is discharge, it is usually as a result of a viral infection like snuffles though it is always important to have it checked by your vet so that the correct treatment can be prescribed.
Ears and eyes are delicate organs and should not be ignored if they show signs of disease or deterioration. Get your pet to your vet for a proper diagnosis and treatment.
