Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Dog Ear Cancer: What is it?

Like humans, dogs can also be tormented by a number of skin tumors. Skin tumors can be evident on the dog’s ears. Squamous cell carcinoma is one of the skin tumor types that can affect the dog’s ears. It is an invasive and malignant tumor, which can reside in the cells of epithelium, the tissue that protects the body. These tissue cells are commonly called as Squamous.

By definition, Carcinoma is an insistent and malignant form of cancer. It can frequently return after it has been eliminated from the body. Also, it can metastasize to other body organs.

One of the dog ear problems such as the dog ear cancer is caused by the presence of an auricular squamous cell carcinoma in the dog’s ears. This cancerous cell in the dog’s ears is caused by the excess exposure to the sun. White dogs, dog’s with white ears, and dogs with light hair coats are more likely to get afflicted by this type of dogs' ears tumor.

This tumor’s primary symptom is the visibility of crustiness and redness on the tips of the dog’s ears. Generally, this dog ear cancer can be cured if it is treated at its early stage. This form cancer in dogs is rare and oftentimes, it can be treated successfully.

The following are some of the known symptoms of cancer in the dog’s ears.

•    Crusty and red sores on the tips of the dog’s ears

•    Bleeding from sores on the dog’s ears

•    The sores slowly grow bigger in the ears

•    Ear tips may disappear, or malformed ears (when sores grow bigger)

•    Sores on the face

Friday, July 29, 2011

Dog Ear Care

Dog ear problems definitely can cause pain and discomfort for your dog. Proper dog ear care and the use of appreciate dog ear care products will help ease the pain from any dog ear problems such as a yeast infection, ear mites, or any parasitic ear infections.

A chronic dog ear infection can be treated by antibiotic or anti-infection medication. These types of dog ear products will help in eliminating the infections caused by dog ear parasites, bacteria, fungi, yeast, or viruses.

Dog ear mites and ticks bring discomfort to your dog. One of the recommended dog ear care product for these dog ear problems is the Pyrethrin. It is a type of insecticide medication that kills and eliminates ticks and mites in dogs. Pyrethrin has aloe Vera content that helps sooth the irritation and wax in the dog’s ears.

Furthermore, dog parasites such as mites and ticks can spread from another dog. If your dog’s environment is with other infected dogs and cats, all of them must be treated by eliminating the harmful parasites on them.

It really does not matter what type of ear care products you use; however, none of those products will be effective without any proper dog ear care.

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Hearing Aids for Dogs: Learn How to Prevent Dog Hearing Loss

Dog ear problems are the main factors why dogs get affected with deafness. It can be frustrating when you symptoms of deafness in your dog. Though, many dogs are affected by inherited deafness, other become deaf due to an accident, old age, overdose of a certain medication, or ear infections.

Hearing aids for dogs functions the same as the human’s hearing aids. If your dog does not listen or respond to you as it used to, it is either your pet is just being stubborn or cannot hear you. A sign of hearing impairment in dogs is that they become irritable or uncomfortable when you touch their ears. Other symptoms are constant head shaking and unresponsive unless touched. These symptoms can be related to any dog ear problems. So, it is important that you determine what the problems in your dog’s ears really are. Dog ear problems such as yeast infection, hematoma, and ear mites can also result to hearing loss.

If you are suspicious that your dog is suffering from a hearing problem, you can try to use a squeaky toy to test. Try to squeeze the toy behind your dog and make unexpected or annoying noise. If your dog is not responsive to it, there’s something wrong with your dog’s hearing.

One of the major questions many dog owners have regarding hearing aids for dogs is whether it fits in their dog’s ears. Generally, dog hearing aids are custom-made by veterinarians. Most of the time, hearing aids can fit in the dog’s ears; however, there are some exceptions for that. Dogs that were born with hearing-impairment associated with a pigment cannot use a hearing aid. This means that those dogs with inborn hearing problems cannot be cured by hearing aids.

Hearing loss in dogs can be painful and distressing. We would not like that to that to happen to our dogs or any dogs. Hence, proper dog ear care is essential in keeping our dogs healthy and happy.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Dog Ear Problems: What is Hematoma?

One of the most common dog ear problems is ear hematoma. It can afflict a dog of any age and breed. Nevertheless, there is a major factor in this type of condition; dog ear hematoma is caused by permanent abnormalities in the dog’s ears. Ear hematoma can be very hurting to a dog. In result, the dog will obsessively scratch their ears, which certainly make the ear problem worse.

This condition is actually complicated because there’s no documented precise reason why this ear problem occurs in dogs. Ear hematoma in dogs is also known as auricular hematoma and aural hematoma. In simple term, it is a collection of blood or fluid in the dog’s ears. This blood in the dog’s ears is the result of ruptured blood vessel. This usually occurs between the cartilage and the skin of the dog’s ear. When a blood vessel is ruptured, there will be blood discharges from your dog’s ear, and it is extremely painful for them.

If by unfortunate chance, your dog has a history of chronic dog ear infections or allergies, your dog may have a higher risk of getting hematoma. Although the authentic cause is not yet proven, there are theories revealing that ear mites may cause it.

Hematoma in the dog’s ears is a serious condition. It is very crucial to have your dog checked by a veterinarian if symptoms persist.

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Dog Ear Discharge: What are the causes and cure for it?

Dogs’ ear discharge is not actually a particular disorder. In fact, it is one of the symptoms of a core problem in your dog’s health, for example, dog ear problems or ear infections.

These dog ear problems can be tremendously excruciating. Your dog does not deserve to suffer its effects. Dog owners should be aware of the causes and symptoms of dog ear problems, as well as its prevention.

Dog ear discharge can be caused by any of the following: dog ear mites, Inner ear infection (otitis interna), and outer ear infection (otitis externa).

Ear discharge in dogs is painful to them, especially when their ears are touched. If you notice that your dog keeps on head shaking, pawing, and ear scratching, it is possible that your dog has ear problems. Also, inflamed ears and bad ear odor are some of its symptoms too.

This type of dog ear problem needs the veterinary’s attention, regardless of it is an internal or external dog ear infection. This problem may require a vet’s prescription, antibiotic cream, or ear-cleaning solutions. If it is not so bad, you can even treat it from your home; however, chronic dog ear problems may need a surgery.

Dog ear problems prevention is vital before they can affect your dog’s health. Keep your dog safe from these problems by cleaning your dog’s ears regularly, healthy diet, and clean environment.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Anatomy of a Dog’s Ear

It is well-known that dogs have the capability to hear well than humans do. The anatomy of a dog’s ear enables them to have higher sensitivity to a broader frequency of hearing any sound. In fact, the reason why dogs have survived through centuries. Unfortunately, the dog’s ear anatomy cannot save them from any dog ear infections or dog ear problems.

Dog_ear_anatomy


Ear flap - It is also known as pinna, which is the outer ear’s primary part. It can be in the shape of upright, floppy, or pointed. Pinna is composed of skin, hair, and cartilage. It can of hearing infinite amount of movement to regulate in better auditory angles and social cues transmission in dogs.

Ear Canals – Dogs have two types of ear canals: the vertical and horizontal canals. Cerumen is a waxy component that resists water. These two dog ear canals and cerumen protects the ears from water retention.

Inner Ear – It is part of the dog’s ear that is filled with fluid. Its primary function is to transmit sound to the appropriate nerves.

Middle Ear – It is where the ossicles and bulla are located. Ossicles vibrate when waves of sound smash them. On the other hand, bulla is responsible in detecting the lower sound registers.

Based on studies, the anatomy of dog’s ears are capable of hearing range up to 45,000 Hertz, while humans are only up to 23,000 Hertz. It is interesting to learn about dog ears. However, knowing the importance of it should motivate us take care of our dog’s ears. Read this Complete Guide for Dog Ear Care.