Ear infections can be distressing for your pets, which is something you would know if they’ve ever had one. It causes them a lot of pain, discomfort, and various health issues which can take a turn for the worse if they are not taken care of immediately. In such situations, it’s best to turn to emergency veterinarians, as they can diagnose and treat the condition quickly. In this article, you will learn about the various methods they employ to treat pets with this condition.
Detailed Examination to Recognize the Issue
The first thing that emergency veterinarians like UrgentVet Brandon do is carry out a detailed examination to know the type and severity of the infection. They do this by visually inspecting the ear canal and the surrounding areas. During the examination, they look for redness, discharge, swelling, and foul smell, all of which indicate the presence of an infection.
Sometimes, they might use an otoscope to look at the ear canal and eardrum closely, as this helps them in knowing if the infection was caused by parasites, bacteria, or yeasts.
Giving Topical Medicines For Quick Relief
Once the doctor has examined the ear closely and knows the cause behind the condition, they will use topical medicines to provide quick relief. These medicines are usually antibacterial or antifungal elements and can be directly applied. Most veterinarians prefer these because they work directly on the affected area with minimal side effects. Apart from applying the medicine themselves, they will show you how to apply it at home, which will allow the treatment to continue until your pet gets better.
Using Oral Antibiotics and Anti-Inflammatories
Oral antibiotics and anti-inflammatories are helpful if the infection is severe or has spread to other areas besides the ear canal. In such situations, it is important to stop it from spreading further, and these medications do that job perfectly. While antibiotics stop bacterial infections from spreading in the body, anti-inflammatory medicines reduce swelling and pain that follow such infections. Doctors use both of these medications at once to provide the utmost comfort and ensure the best results.
Carrying out Various Diagnostic Tests
If your pet keeps getting ear infections, it’s a good idea to inform the veterinarian about it. They will carry out different types of diagnostic tests, like cultures or skin scrapings, to determine the kind of pathogens causing the problem. Conducting these tests also helps them understand if there is another health condition that is responsible for the infection, and come up with a suitable treatment accordingly.
For instance, a bacterial culture helps in knowing if certain strains that require antibiotic therapy are present in the affected area. In a similar way, skin scraping helps the specialists know if a parasiticide treatment is required.
Thorough Cleaning of the Ear Canal
Cleaning the ear canal is a basic but important part of treating ear infections. Veterinarians specializing in emergencies thoroughly clean your pet’s ear canal to remove the wax buildup, discharge, debris or any other substance that might increase the severity of the infection. A gentle but deep cleaning prevents the growth of bacteria or fungus while reducing the chances of further infections in the future. It also contributes to the overall health and well-being of your pet.
Providing Solutions for Pain Management
All kinds of infections, including those in the ear, can be painful for your pet. It causes them a lot of pain and discomfort, and this is sometimes expressed through their behavior. For example, they might become irritable, aggressive, and exhibit changes in other aspects of their behavior. Veterinarians can provide various kinds of painkillers to ease the discomfort.
For regular cases, they might prescribe nonsteroidal drugs to reduce inflammation and decrease pain, while topical anesthetics might be needed for severe cases of ear infections. However, these are helpful for short-term relief only, with their sole purpose being to bring some much-needed comfort to your pet.
Educating Owners on Prevention Strategies
Emergency veterinarians make it a point to educate pet owners about the various aspects related to ear infections, particularly if this is their first time dealing with such a condition. They provide detailed information regarding the condition, including recognizing its signs, cleaning the affected area safely, and taking steps to reduce the chances of its occurrence in the future.
They might also ask you to get your pet checked every few months and keep your house clean at all times, since that plays a key role in reducing infections.
If you think your pet might be having an ear infection, it is better to contact an emergency veterinarian like UrgentVet Brandon immediately without wasting any time. The longer you wait, the worse the condition could get. They will carry out the required tests, identify the problem, and provide medications for immediate relief. Having an idea of the various methods used by the specialists is helpful because it helps you to communicate the issues clearly, speed up the recovery process, and make the right decisions when necessary.
