Ear Care Archives - Evesham Veterinary Clinic

Duralactin – A Nutraceutical for Inflammation

Jeffrey Bell, VMD — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 19:06:25 +0000

Duralactin is a nutritional supplement that is used to treat inflammation, supporting normal activity and wellness. It is made from dried milk protein, a natural product. We at Evesham Veterinary Clinic are excited to carry this new product.

Here is some information from the manufacturer, Veterinary Products Laboratories.

Duralactin^® Products

Can be used for many different types of inflammation
Inhibit neutrophil migration—an alternative approach to managing inflammation
Do not have the side effects associated with other therapies
Do not require an initial administration for the first 4-6 weeks, which can lead to additional costs for you, the pet owner
Include formulations that only need to be given once a day
Have a taste dogs and cats love

Duralactin^® products can be use alone as a nutraceutical or in combination with other therapies as your veterinarian recommends. The following pets may benefit from taking Duralactin^® products:

Dogs, cats and horses to help support normal activity and wellness.
Breeds that are prone to inflammation
Older pets to help support mobility
Pets that cannot take other therapies or pets that are not responding to other therapies

EVESHAM VETERINARY CLINIC

800 ROUTE 73 S

MARLTON, NJ 08053

(856) 983-9440

www.eveshamvet.com

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Ear Infections in Dogs

Jeffrey Bell, VMD — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 16:13:36 +0000

Ear infections, or otitis, are a common problem in dogs. Painful, itchy ears can cause a decrease in quality of life, odor, hearing loss, and behavior changes.

Clinical signs:

Redness
Itchiness
Odor
Pain
Discharge

Because there are many possible causes of ear infections, it is important to have a veterinarian evaluate the dog before starting ear medicine.

Factors in ear infections:

Bacterial infections
Yeast overgrowth
Atopy – allergies to pollen, mold, dust mites
Anatomy – narrow ear canals, pendulous ear pinnas – warm, humid ear canal
Food allergies
Swimming
Breed predilection (e.g. Cocker Spaniels)
Thyroid condition (hypothyroidism)
Ear mites, flies, other mites
Ear tumors
Ear foreign bodies

Diagnosis is made by history, physical examination, and otoscopic examination. Other tests can include ear cytology, ear culture and sensitivity, blood chemistry tests, thyroid tests, and allergy tests.

Left untreated, ear infections can progress to chronic changes in the ear canal, pain, deafness, and infection of the middle and inner ear.

Common medications used for ear infections in dogs include Osurnia, Mometamax, Animax, Quadritop, Tresaderm, Revolution, prednisone, Apoquel, cetirizine, diphenhydramine, Simplicef, Baytril, Zeniquin, and others.

For more information or if you believe your dog or cat might have an ear infection, please call us.

Evesham Veterinary Clinic

Marlton, NJ 08053

(856) 983-9440

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Ear Care – Cats

Jeffrey Bell, VMD — Tue, 05 May 2015 01:13:16 +0000

Ear Care

Clean, odour-free, pale pink colour and a minimal accumulation of wax are indications of healthy ears.

Check your pet’s ears regularly.

Signs of Ear Disease

Unpleasant odour
Excessive scratching and pawing of the ear and head
Sensitivity to touch, often resulting in pain
Constant tilting/shaking of the head to one side
Black or yellowish discharge
Redness or swelling of the ear flap or canal
Changes in behaviour like listlessness, depression or irritability
Accumulation of dark brown wax
Loss of balance or hearing and disorientation
Bleeding or discharge resembling coffee grinds

Causes of Ear Disease

Otitis Externa infection of the external ear canal and Otitis Media, infection of the middle ear, are usually caused by ear mites, bacteria and/or yeast. Other possibilities include injury, debris or a foreign object lodged in the ear canal. When seeking treatment, act quickly. If your cat has an ear infection, he will be in considerable discomfort. Antibiotics are used for bacterial infections while antifungals are administered for yeast. Your veterinarian will determine this during your visit and suggest the best course of action.

Ear Mites are common parasites that are highly contagious, often contracted from pet to pet. Excessive itching is the most common sign. Ear mites create dark, crumbly debris that look like coffee grinds.

Aural Haematoma means blood has accumulated in the ear flap (pinna). The exact cause of this condition in many cases is still unknown, but can sometimes be caused by vigorous head shaking, scratching or trauma to the ear area resulting in damage to the blood vessels, often set off by infection, mites, fleas or debris.

Deafness, usually brought on by age, trauma, loud noise or infection, can also be hereditary or congenital. Unfortunately, once diagnosed with clinical deafness, it is a lifelong condition.

Prevention
Ear cleaning solution used on an appropriate basis can be helpful in maintaining your cat’s ears healthy.

How to Administer Ear Drops or Ointment to Cats

Read the label instructions carefully for correct dosage.
Pull the ear flap over the head, squeeze out the desired amount and apply it to the lowest part of the ear canal.
Gently massage the ear area to help work the medication deeper into the ear canal.

IMPORTANT: Always administer medicine to its full term for it to be effective. When administering medication stay calm – your pet can sense if you are nervous making it more difficult to apply the treatment. Always praise and reward your pet with a treat.

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Ear Care – Dogs

Jeffrey Bell, VMD — Mon, 04 May 2015 19:34:58 +0000

Ear Care

Clean, odour-free, pale pink colour and a minimal accumulation of wax are indications of healthy ears. Check your pet’s ears regularly.Signs of Ear Disease

Unpleasant odour
Excessive scratching and pawing of the ear and head
Sensitivity to touch, often resulting in pain
Constant tilting/shaking of the head to one side
Black or yellowish discharge
Redness or swelling of the ear flap or canal
Changes in behaviour like listlessness, depression or irritability
Accumulation of dark brown wax
Loss of balance or hearing and disorientation
Bleeding or discharge resembling coffee grinds

Causes of Ear Disease Some breeds are more susceptible than others, including dogs with pendulous ears or dogs with hairy inner ear flaps. Dogs with allergies are also at risk. Otitis Externa infection of the external ear canal and Otitis Media, infection of the middle ear are usually caused by bacteria and/or yeast. Other possibilities include accumulation of wax, matted hair, debris or a foreign object lodged in the ear canal. When seeking treatment, act quickly. If your dog has an ear infection, he/she will be in considerable discomfort. Antibiotics are used for bacterial infections while antifungals are administered for yeast. Ear infections can also be indicative of other problems such as underlying allergies. Your veterinarian will determine this during your visit and suggest the best course of action. Ear Mites are common parasites that are highly contagious, often contracted from pet to pet. Excessive itching is the most common sign. Ear mites create dark, crumbly debris that look like coffee grinds. Aural Haematoma means blood has accumulated in the ear flap (pinna). The exact cause of this condition in many cases is still unknown, but can sometimes be caused by vigorous head shaking, scratching or trauma to the ear area resulting in damage to the blood vessels, often set off by infection, mites, fleas or debris. Deafness, usually brought on by age, trauma, loud noise or infection, can also be hereditary or congenital. Unfortunately, once diagnosed with clinical deafness, it is a lifelong condition. Prevention Ear cleaning solution used on an appropriate basis can be helpful in maintaining your dog’s ears healthy. How to Administer Ear Drops or Ointment to Dogs

Clean the external ear thoroughly with a moistened cotton ball (water or veterinary-recommended solution).
Gently pull the ear flap over the head and drop the medication into the lowest opening of the ear canal.
Gently massage the ear area to help work the medication deeper into the ear canal. If there is enough medication in the ear, you will just begin to hear a “squishing” noise as you massage.

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