Since your pet can't tell you when it's in pain, it's a good idea to watch for signs of an ear infection. If you suspect that your pet's ear is infected, bring it to Firestone Animal Hospital in Downey, CA. Our veterinarian will examine your pet's ear canal to look for signs of an infection.

What Causes Ear Infections In Pets?

One of the most common causes of pet ear infections is environmental allergens. Several allergens can cause infections, including dander, pollen, and mold. Exposure to allergens can also cause inflammation and irritate the ear canal.

While cats rarely suffer from bacterial ear infections, these infections are frequently seen in dogs. Ear mites, which are small black mites that eat skin debris, can live in a dog's ear, causing inflammation and bacterial infections. If mites aren't removed from your dog's ears, it could eventually lead to hearing loss.

Your pet is more likely to suffer from ear infections if it has a build-up of wax in the ear canal. That's why you should clean your pet's ears on a regular basis. You can clean its ears with an ear-cleaning solution and a cotton ball.

Symptoms of Pet Ear Infections

Since ear infections can cause pets a great deal of discomfort, they will usually show unusual behavior if they have an infection. Ear infections can also cause physical symptoms. Some signs of an ear infection include:

• Pawing at the ear
• Repeatedly tilting or shaking the head
• Odor coming from the ears
• Ear discharge
• Scabs
• Swollen ear canal

If you see any of these signs, contact us as soon as possible so that we can check your pet's ears.

Bring Your Pet to Our Veterinarian in Downey, CA

The sooner your pet's ear infection is treated, the better. Ear infections can be painful, but they're usually very treatable. Call Firestone Animal Hospital today at (562) 928-1341 if you need to make an appointment for your pet.