Tag Archives: ear

Seasonal Itches!

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Seasonal Itches!

 

As the weather improves and we head out of lockdown, spare a thought for our pets who often start to itch more – Our Summer Blog looks at the possible causes. If your pet is showing signs of skin problems, come and see us for a check – up. It can be quite tricky to cure allergies, but modern treatments can be very effective in relieving the itch!

 

Should I have my pet neutered?

As the number of pet owners has risen dramatically risen over the last 12 months, these pets are now reaching an age where neutering needs to be considered. As well as preventing unwanted pregnancies, there are a wide range of other benefits to neutering that are discussed in our Summer News Blog. Great News – If you are considering neutering your dog we are now able to perform Keyhole surgery from our Ealing surgery – see if your pet could be a candidate here.

UV Alert!

Cats with white noses and white ear tips are at risk of getting theses areas sunburnt and this can lead to cancerous changes. Our Summer Blog discusses the challenges of pet ownership in the warmer months and how to help keep your pet safe and well this summer.

Our Summer Blog has arrived, be the first to read it here. If you have a question on any of the articles mentioned do not hesitate to contact our team for more advice.

Our experienced team have been treating pets from all over West London for over 50 years, and we offer a wide range of services for your and your pet. Not yet a client? Register here, and visit a vet who is passionate about your pet.

When is itchy skin a sign your dog should visit the vet?

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When is itchy skin a sign your dog should visit the vet?

 

Every dog loves a scratch, yes? Dogs itch, just like they bark at cats, shake after rainfall and growl at the postman. But when is a good scratch actually a bad scratch? Sometimes scratching belies a deeper problem that needs proper attention. Here’s what to look out for to prevent your furry friend from any skin-related stress.

 

Excessive scratching

 

Given your wet-nosed pal’s propensity to claw away at his coat, it’s easy to overlook the odd scratch, but you know your dog best. Observe how long they spend scratching and where on their body seems to be irritating them. Is it one place specifically? Is it causing them stress? Are they super focussed on a specific area? That’s no ordinary itch!

 

 

Biting their legs/feet

If your dog is gnawing furiously at their paws or legs, chances are there’s a problem that’s literally skin-deep – and without treatment it’s only going to worsen. If their skin has dried out, it may be causing them pain, and nobody wants to see their dog in distress.

 

Skin blemishes

Noticed anything unusual just beneath the coat? Have a closer look through the fur to inspect for raw spots. Redness, flaky patches and bleeding means that their skin is damaged and needs attention. Providing your pet lets you, and isn’t already too sensitive from all the surface distress, have a good check through and see if there’s an obvious looking problem. A bath is a good time to inspect more thoroughly, but remember that if he is already suffering he might be even more reluctant than usual to participate.

 

(Too much) ear scratching or head shaking

Dog’s ears aren’t just a velvety accessory. They also act as a great antenna to transmit to you your barking buddy’s state of mind. They alert you to excitement, lethargy, sadness and the rest – the Greek chorus of canine kind, and a valuable asset to all dog owners to let you know how your four-legged friend is feeling. Same too with itchy skin. A dog’s ears are prone to excessive itchiness. Intense scratching or shaking their heads means there’s a problem to be addressed. Again, keep an eye on the ears. If he’s doing it for longer and with greater intensity, check for inflammation beneath the fur.

 

 

Licking

Your mutt will use whatever means they can to soothe that itch. If their skin is still prickly and burning, expect to see that long pink tongue rolling out to lick at the source of their pain. Again, keep a good eye on the amount of time they’re taking to attend to one spot. If they’re repeatedly returning to one area, then there may be an issue which may need medical relief.

 

What next?

Chances are, if your dog is itching excessively there’s a problem that needs to be addressed. Observation is key. It’s easy to dismiss a scratch as part of their usual behaviour. But keeping vigilant about their scratching is key to winning the battle against uncomfortably itchy skin. It’s normal for dogs to scratch, but constantly chewing their feet, flapping their ears or biting their behinds definitely isn’t part of their usual behaviour. If you think you’ve identified excessive itchiness, a vet visit is advised strongly.

Itchy skin is a symptom of many different ailments, from infections to allergies to parasites and disease. Your vet will be able to treat the itch whilst they try to diagnose the problem and provide the medical cure that’s needed.

 

if you have concerns that your dog is unusually itchy please do not hesitate to contact our friendly team for further help and advice.

 

Blog supplied by Zoetis

Written by Gemma Hopkins BVETMED, MRCVS.

 

Autumn News 2017.

Our Autumn Newsletter has arrived, read it here!

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Our Autumn Newsletter has arrived, read it here!

 

Parasite alert!

Continue to treat your pets against parasites and come and talk to us about how to protect your home as well. Read our Autumn NEWSLETTER to learn more about Harvest mites and ticks, that thrive in your home once the heating is turned on. Pets should be checked daily for ticks and if found they should be removed promptly with a specially designed tick remover.

 

Toxic Alert!

Make sure you keep anti freeze well out of reach of your pets and clean up any spillages. Cats find anti freeze very tasty despite the fact that it is toxic! If you suspect your pet may of tasted anti freeze, even the smallest amount, make sure you bring them to us immediately.

 

A word in your ear!

Read our NEWSLETTER to learn the signs of ear disease, and watch out for in your pet. Infections can have many different triggers including objects getting into the ear canal, allergies, excessive wetness after swimming and ear mites. To prevent or reduce ear infections it is important to identify the cause and start treatment as soon as possible.

 

Arthritis alert – Is your pet affected?

Have you noticed your older pet slowing down lately? Have you just put this down to old age or have you thought about pet arthritis, its a lore more common than you may think! Arthritis can become more noticeable during the cooler months, it affects all species and breeds and can strike at any age. Read our NEWSLETTER to understand the signs to watch out for, particularly in your cat as they are masters of hiding pain. There are many different treatment options available and as every pet is different,we follow no set protocol. Contact our friendly team if you suspect you pet may be suffering.

 

Read our newsletter here.

 

Cleaning dog ears- how to and when ?

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  • 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. Please note that ear mites are usually seen in young puppies ( usually picked up via close contact with their mums), and so it is not appropriate in adult dogs to use mite treatments in their ears without being checked first by your vet.

 

  • Ear problems in adult dogs may be caused by grass seeds, which usually causes acute onset irritation. If present they will need to be removed by a vet, as they are usually lodged deep down at the eardrum level.

 

 

  •  The commonest cause of recurrent ear problems in adult dogs is allergies. It is important to get your dog checked by a vet if ear problems persist or recur frequently.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Inside a dogs ear.

How and when to clean your dog’s ears

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Inside a dogs ear.

Inside a dogs ear a detailed picture.

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

When you first bring your puppy home, its a good idea as part of daily handling to look inside their ears and look out for any bad odours, discharge and understand what is normal for your dog. This will help any veterinary visits be as stress free as possible in the future for you and your puppy.

 

 

Dog ear infections and causes

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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.