Common Ear Problems

Ear infections are common in in dogs and occasionally seen in cats as well. Mites can also cause itchy ears, and are often seen in cats and pocket pets. To better treat an animal's individual ear problem, we get a sample of the debris within the ears and look at it under the miscroscope. By identifying yeast, different typres of bacteria, or mites we can better choose a medication.

Most ear infections are treated with a combination of ear cleaners, topical anitibiotics, and anti-inflammatories. If an infection extends into the middle ear it may need to be treated with oral antibiotics or anti-fungals as well. Ear infections can be a recurrant problem in dogs with long droopy ears, or in animals with allergies.

If an ear infection is not quickly resolving with traditional therapy, we may recommend a deep ear flush or culture and sensitivity to better identify an organism and the type of antibiotic needed. If your pet is having recurrent ear infections, we may try to determine if there is an underlying problem such as allergies or other systemic problems that can decrease immunity and make an animal more susceptible to infections.

Although treating ear infections can at times be frustrating for both veterinarian and pet owner, most infections are easily treated with topical medications, and can even be prevented with routine ear cleaning at home.

Common Eye Problems

The doctors at Mayfair Animal Hospital regularly see animals with eye problems. Animals experience many of the same eye problems that humans do, including trauma to the eye, inflammation, infection, increased pressure in the eye, dry eye, cataracts and blindness. Signs that your pet may need to be seen for an ocular problem include redness, watery or mucous-like discharge, bulging eye, squinting, pain, blue color to the eye, or loss of vision.

Common tests to determine what type of eye problem your pet may have include visual exam of the outer eye structures, magnified exam of the fundus (back of the eye), pressure testing for glaucoma or uveitis (inflammation), measurement of tear production, and staining for corneal ulcers or scratches. Many of these problems can be managed with medication, while a few may require surgical procedures performed by our veterinarians.

Occasionally, a problem is identified that requires referral to a specialist. We are fortunate to have local veterinary ophthalmologists in Cary and at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital to assist our clients when necessary.