If you decided to leave your Cane Corso with uncropped ears no problem at all! You have increased the risk of an ear infection so I wanted to write this article fast to tell you of my experience with this issue. The only time I had a dog with an ear infection it was a dog who had long ears, however this does not mean its not possible to have an infection in one with cropped ears.
Types of infections
There are two types of ear infections the otitis externa, infection of the external ear canal, and otitis media, infection of the middle ear. Any dog can get an ear infection, some breeds are more prone than others. Breeds with long ears such as spaniels and hounds tend to have a higher occurrence of ear infections.
Most ear infections are easily and successfully treated. But if left untreated, they could result in serious damage.
Causes Of Ear Infection
Bacteria or yeast are most often the culprits of otitis externa. Other causes include an accumulation of wax, thick or matted hair in the ear canal, debris, a foreign body, a tumor or impaired drainage of the ear. Sometimes, infections of the external ear canal are a secondary result of some other bodily infection or ear mite infestation.
Otitis media usually results from the spread of infection from the external ear canal to the middle ear. Also, foreign bodies, debris, or improper ear cleaning can rupture the eardrum and cause infection to the middle ear.
Ear infections are very uncomfortable for your Cane Corso. Your dog will show their discomfort by shaking their head or scratching their ears. Often, the ears will become red and inflamed with an offensive odor and perhaps a black or yellowish discharge. If your pet tilts his head constantly, it could be a sign of a middle ear infection.
Because many different culprits can be the cause of your pet’s ear infection, it is important to have your dog examined by a veterinarian, who can then determine the proper medication or treatment. Your veterinarian will also make sure the eardrum is intact, as some medications can result in hearing loss if administered to a pet with a ruptured eardrum.
What is involved in an ear exam? Your veterinarian will use an otoscope, an instrument that provides light and magnification to view the ear canal. He or she will determine whether or not the eardrum is intact and if any foreign material is present. If this is very painful to the pet, sedation or anesthesia may be necessary to complete the exam.
Next, your veterinarian will take a sample of the material in the canal and examine it under a microscope. This is called cytology, and allows the doctor to determine the organism causing the infection. If more than one organism is the culprit, multiple medications or a broad-spectrum medication may be necessary.
If your veterinarian finds a foreign body, a tick or a very heavy buildup of debris, sedation may be required to remove the irritant or to allow a thorough cleansing.
A middle ear infection can be more difficult to clear up. Diagnosis and treatment may include lab tests, X-rays and even surgery. Four to six weeks may pass before the infection disappears, and often during this time you will be told to restrict the activity of your pet.
For both types of infection, you should keep water from entering your pet’s ears. Follow-up visits to your veterinarian are very important to make sure the treatment is working and the infection has disappeared.
Remember, the longer infection is present, the harder it is to cure. If an ear infection goes untreated, your pet will continue to be in pain. Your pet’s head shaking and scratching can cause further problems, such as broken blood vessels that require surgery to correct. Chronic infections can harm the eardrum and close the ear canal. Surgery of the ear canal may then become necessary.
Treatment prescribed by the veterinarian usually includes cleaning the ears daily for one to two weeks and administering medication. Remember, your pet’s ears are painful, and Fluffy might not appreciate what you are about to do, so use caution. Ask your veterinarian or groomer for a demonstration on how to treat the ears properly.
Most often, with proper diagnosis and treatment, your pet’s ear infection will be cured. It’s very important to handle the infection in the early stages since many complications can arise if not treated.
Prevention is the Best Policy!
The best method for me to keep happy Cane Corsos and less Vet bills is to prevent as I find this to be the best for my dogs as well as my pocket. Cane Corso wners can avoid ear infections by practicing prevention. This is especially important for those dogs that have pendulous ears, have lots of hair in their ears, or have allergies or other medical problems that make them prone to ear infections. I clean the ears with this natural solution at least once per week to prevent infections. We recommend Life’s Abundance Ear Care Formula safely deodorizes and eliminates the accumulation of dirt and wax in the ear canal, I give this to my dogs when needed and it works great!
Weekly ear cleanings get the pet owner to really see the ear on a regular basis, allowing him or her to notice any early warning signs of infection. It also allows the pet to be handled regularly, making future exams, cleansing and medicating easier when necessary.