Some of the spaniel breeds like
Cocker Spaniels are notorious for their
ear problems. Cavaliers are more
fortunate only occasionally being
susceptible to developing ear issues.
The difference between the Cocker
and Cavalier may lie in the ear
leathers which in the Cocker tends to
be very heavy and so keeps the
moisture in proving a perfect breeding
ground for ear infections. The
Cavalier has a lighter ear leather and
so the air is able to get to the ear
canal and it stays drier.
nausea in addition to the more common
symptoms.
Ear infections generally mean a trip to
the vet to diagnose the cause and so
the correct treatment, though most
treatment can be done at home by the
owner. A vet will generally clean the
ear and take a swab to determine
whether the cause was bacterial or
fungal. Treatment will then usually
include cleaning the ear regularly and
putting in topical medicines which may
range from anti-bacterial, anti-fungal
and corticosteroidal or a combination
drop. In cases which include the middle
and inner ear oral antibiotics may be
required.
One of the most common ear ailments
in dogs is otitis externa which is an
inflammation of the external ear
canal. In more advanced cases otitis
externa may lead to otitis media
which can often include a ruptured
tympanum, the membrane which
separating the external and middle
ears. Causes of otitis externa can
range from allergies, autoimmune,
parasites such as ear mites, incorrect
ear cleaning, the introduction of
moisture from swimming or bathing
and fungal or bacterial infections.
Persistent and untreated ear infections
of the external and middle ear may
over time lead to deafness, facial
paralysis and otitis interna.
There is an ear problem which is
peculiar to the Cavalier King Charles
Spaniel and other brachycephalic
breeds which goes by the rather long
moniker Primary Secretory Otitis Media
(PSOM) sometimes called “glue ear”.
PSOM is a condition where the
Eustachian tube is not working correctly
and does not allow fluid to drain from
the mucus membranes of the middle
ear. The Eustachian tube works to
maintain air pressure between the
inside and outside of the middle ear
allowing the eardrums to work properly.
When the mucus does not drain
properly a mucus plug develops. This
Symptoms of an ear infection can
include pain, scratching at the ear and
odor. You may see a dark discharge
in the external ear canal. In dogs
with chronic ear infections there may
be swelling, redness and scaling of the
surrounding tissue of the ear canal
and inside the ear flap. In cases
where the infection spreads to the
middle and inner ear there may be
head tilting, a lack of coordination and
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