Caring for special needs pets at home

As pet owners, sooner or later you will have a pet that will need special care at home. As our pets grow older, their health needs change, and with advances in veterinary medicine, pets are living longer happy lives, even with medical issues. We all should be familiar with the heath issues our pets may encounter, and educate ourselves as well as we can so we are able to provide the best care for our pets at home.

A good relationship with your veterinarian is the first step in keeping your pets happy and healthy at home. Regular yearly wellness visits should be standard for all your pets. Talk to your vet and ask questions! Become an involved owner! I can't imagine any vet or vet tech that would not take the time to answer any and all questions, and talk to you about your pets, and address whatever concerns you have. Discuss your pets' health, and future health. Is your pet getting older? Ask what should you look for as clues to possible health issues with your animals. Is your breed of dog prone to specific health problems? Does your cat show signs of urinary infection or kidney disease?

Many common pet health issues include allergies, gastrointestinal issues (vomiting/diarrhea) , ear infections, hot spots, joint problems like arthritis or hip dysplasia, separation anxiety, seizures, lameness, back or disc problems, and respiratory problems.

A few more serious issues include cancer, heart disease, kidney disease, and diabetes.

Today lets take a closer look at ear infections, which are very common in both dogs and cats. An educated pet owner can easily identify and often treat ear infections in their pets. It is recommended of course to always talk to or visit your veterinarian before treating your pet at home. But there are some things you can do until you get to the vet.

Infection of the external ear canal (outer ear) is common. It is called otitis externa. Some breeds, particularly those with large or hairy ears like Cocker Spaniels, are more prone to ear infections, but they may occur in any pet.

Signs:
Ear infections are sore. Most dogs and cats will rub or shake their head and scratch their ears trying to get the debris and fluid out. The ears often become red and inflamed and develop a bad smell. A black or yellowish discharge is often seen.

Causes:
Ear mites are infectious parasites primarily found in young cats. They are spread from direct contact from cat to cat.

Ear infections are most typical in dogs. Most ear infections are caused by an underlying allergy, such as to food or environment.

Some are caused by water in the ear after bathing or swimming. Dogs with large floppy ears, such as Basset hounds, are prone to infections as their ear canals have poor air circulation, trapping moisture and allowing bacteria and yeast to grow.

What can you do?
Clean your pet's ears. White vinegar is very effective at removing debris from the ears and killing the yeast and bacteria responsible for ear infections. Grab the ear where it attaches to the head (at the ear base), gently squeeze your thumb and forefinger together, rubbing the solution deep into the ear canals. Wipe the inside of the ear well with cotton balls to remove debris coming from the ear canal.

For dogs that get recurring ear infections it often helps to change the diet. It should include a completely different protein with minimal added ingredients, no by-products or fillers. Organic and/or holistic diets often help a great deal. One example commercial diet is made of fish and sweet potato. There are many high-end commercial brands that address allergy issues. It may take a few tries to find the best one for your pet.

Administering medication:
Your veterinarian will most likely supply you with ear cleaning solutions and/or medication to use at home. They should always show you how to clean your pet's ears and administer any meds during your vet visit. Most vets also provide home care instructions and information sheets for you. If you have any concerns, ask them to go over it or show you again.

It is important to get the medication into the horizontal part of the ear canal. Unlike our ear canal, the dog's external ear canal is "L" shaped. The vertical canal connects with the outside of the ear and is the upper part of the "L".

The horizontal canal lies deeper in the ear canal, ending at the eardrum. The goal is to get the medication deep into the lower part of the "L" - the horizontal ear canal.

Try these steps:
1. Gently pull the earflap straight up and hold it with one hand.

2. Place a small amount of medication into the vertical part of the ear canal while continuing to keep the earflap elevated.

3. Put one finger in front of and at the base of the earflap, and put your thumb behind and at the base.

4. Gently massage the ear canal between your finger and thumb. A squishing sound tells you that the medication has gone into the ear canal.

5. Clean the outer part of the ear canal and the inside of the earflap with a cotton ball soaked in some of the medication.

Usually this will need to be done daily. Remember, ear infections, especially in dogs, often recur. Don't get discouraged! Keep some cleaning solution and medication at home if your dog is a chronic sufferer. Once a week preventative cleanings once the infection is cleared up can help prevent recurrences.

THANKS AND LETS KEEP OUR PETS HAPPY AND HEALTHY!