The language barrier between humans and canines exists, but some non-verbal cues help bridge the gap.
The bridge is especially essential when you’re trying to figure out why do dogs get ear infections after noticing symptoms. It’s not uncommon, for instance, for a dog to wake up in the middle of the night, whining, shaking his head, and scratching his ears. There may come a time when you need to visit our office at Sarasota Veterinary Center. Here are some tips and what you should expect when you bring in your pup.
If this is your first visit to our office, be prepared to provide us with a thorough veterinary history.
- How long have the symptoms persisted?
- What are the symptoms?
- Have you noticed swelling, discharge, pain, or an odor emitting from your dog’s ears?
- Is your dog on any medication?
- What has your dog been eating?
To assess why do dogs get ear infections you should be prepared to answer the following:
- How often do you clean your dog’s ears?
- Have you trimmed inside his ears recently?
- Has your dog been taking excessive baths or been swimming recently?
- Do you know if your dog has any allergies?
- Is this the first time you’ve asked “why do dogs get ear infections” because you’ve noticed strange symptoms?
- Our on-staff vet will conduct an examination. It may require sedation, depending upon how much pain your pup is experiencing and how well your dog handles being examined.
The exam may include:
- An examination with an otoscope. This device allows us to look deeper into your dog’s ear to identify foreign any objects, wax buildup, ear mites, debris, or eardrum damage
- A visual assessment that includes looking for signs of swelling, blood, crusts, or redness
- A mild palpation of the ear to assess the level of pain
- Biopsies and x-rays, in extreme cases