Canine Ear Problems
By: www.dog-lovers-online.com Staff
Ear problems are a fairly frequent mishap for most dogs. The three main causes of aer trouble are:
1. Torn ears (from fighting or by barbed wire).
2. Haematoma (a haemorrhage under the skin of the ear flap).
3. Foreign bodies in the outer ear canal (e.g., grass seeds).
1. Torn ears
2. Haematoma
A dog's ear consists of a layer of skin, then a thin layer of cartilage, then a further layer of skin.
Occasionally, especially in large-eared dogs, a violent shaking of the head causes a rupture of one of the many small blood vessels supplying the skin and the tissues below. This results in the ear flap becoming suddenly hard and balloon-like. The condition is not serious but may need surgical measures to return the ear to normal size. This, of course, will have to be carried out by a veterinary surgeon. As this condition is usually the result of violent head shaking or ear scratching it is as well to have the ears examined to make sure there is nothing producing an irritation in the ear canal itself. Such an irritation can result from a local infection, or can be produced by:
3. Foreign objects in the ear
Grass seeds occasionally work their way down the ear, into the external canal of this organ, resulting in an acute irritation. The animal holds its head on one side, whimpers, and is in obvious discomfort. It should be promptly seen by a veterinary surgeon who, by means of a special instrument, will be able to see the seed, and with special forceps remove it. Some cases will require an anaesthetic. The earlier this is attended to the better, as presence of the grass seed will result in a sore ear, and maybe a secondary infection.
Do not pour oil or any other liquid into the ear. This will make the veterinary surgeon's job more difficult, by obscuring his range of vision when he examines the ear with the auroscope.
Do not probe or poke about in the ear with forceps or pieces of cotton wool. This will push the grass seed further down.
If an ear is damaged in a fight, or by sharp wire, it will bleed fairly profusely. In addition, the irritation caused often makes the animal shake his head violently, which adds to the bleeding and also spatters blood in all directions. Blood is a good example of a little going a long way; within a few moments of the injury the dog appears to have lost at least half its total amount.
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