OTITIS EXTERNA - DOG AND CATS

It is an acute or chronic inflammation of the external ear canal. Owner may complaint about head shaking, head rubbing, ear scratching, and discharge from one or both ears, head tilt or hearing deficit. Physical examination will reveal aural priritis, edema of ear canal, erosions, ulcers, alopecia on the pinna and signs of generalised skin disease. Diagnosis can be made on the basis of history, clinical signs, ear canal cytologic examination, culture and sensitivity, otoscopic examination, CT scan, MRI and allergy testing. Treatment may include antibiotics, orticosteroids, antifungal drugs and ear flushing.

SYMPTOMS OF EAR INFECTION

Infection of the outer ear canal by parasitic organisms like bacteria and yeast is common in cases of canine ear infections. The condition is medically known as Otitis Externa.
Symptoms:-
Bad odor in ears
Black or yellow discharge from ears
Lethargy and irritation
Scratching or rubbing of head and ears
Signs of painful or tender ears
Visible redness in ear flap or canal
Vigorously shaking the head or tilting it to one side

DOG'S SENSE OF HEARING

As dog's ears are able to move in different directions, it is easier for dogs to pinpoint the exact location of a sound's origin. The frequencies that dogs can perceive and hear are almost twice that of humans and they can pick up and distinguish sounds at roughly 4 times the range of humans. Not only do dogs hear the sounds but also perceive the height and depth of the sounds that they hear. Dogs also have the ability to hear ultra high frequencies that humans cannot and many professional doghandlers and trainers use this ability to their advantage by teaching them and training them to respond to different commands given on whistles that produce ultra high frequency sounds. Dogs are also very sensitive to complete silence also taking this as a warning sign of impending threat. This sensitivity to silence is found in almost all wild animals.
Humans can hear sounds approximately within the frequencies of 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz. Anything below 20 Hz, typically cannot be heard although it can be felt. This can be experienced to when you feel the bass of a song. Likewise humans normally cannot hear any sounds above the frequency of 20,000 Hz. Although human hearing is limited to this frequency range, many animals have a wider range of sounds of which they can hear, like dogs for example.

The frequency range of dog hearing is approximately 40 Hz to 60,000 Hz, of course depending on the breed of dog as well as its age. Like humans, dogs can begin to go deaf as they become older. In some breeds of dogs it is natural for them to go completely deaf in their old age.

DOG ODOUR - CAUSES AND HOW TO GET RID OF IT

causes of dog odour and steps to remove it -

1. Wash your dog properly - Too many people do not wash their dogs properly. This can actually make things worse. First, check the dog over thoroughly for any obvious stink sources such as something they rolled in or poop stuck in the fur. Once wet, using a gentle dog shampoo, lather the dog up good and proper. Finally, rinse, rinse, rinse to get all of the shampoo out or it will dry, itch, and cause the dog to produce excess skin oil.
2. Dry the dog thoroughly - It's not just oils and the things the dog rolled in that create dog odor. It's also bacteria and bacteria waste. These bacteria love wet animal fur and are able to live and reproduce quite happily in it. The dogs with thick coats, hit them with a blow dryer. Just make sure you set it on the coolest setting possible.
3. Dog breath - If bad enough, dog breath can make a dog and the house wreak like hell. There are several things you can do to help reduce this odor. The most important is to start a proper oral hygiene regimen. It is often recommended that you brush your dog's teeth once a day. If the dog isn't healthy, it probably won't smell healthy either.
4. Anal glands - secrete an ishy, musty smelling substance with the feces. Sometimes these glands get clogged. This can cause some serious pet odor. A vet or groomer can drain these glands and make Doggy smell pretty again.
5.Ear infections - If the ears look nasty or are stinky, take the dog to the vet. The dog might also just have a skin infection that is causing the smell. It could be a yeast infection, a bacterial infection, or an allergy that has caused an increase in the musty-smelling.

FUNGAL EAR INFECTION - DOG

Fungal Ear Infections
Fungal ear infections in dogs are triggered by a fungus, which can often spread to other parts of the body, including the face and paws.
In the case of a yeast infection, which is among the most common types of fungal infection, the yeast is constantly present on the body. The dog's body typically keeps the yeast in-check, but moist conditions, can result in an overgrowth of the yeast – a yeast infection.
Fungal infections in dogs are often associated with discharge, redness, swelling, scaling, dryness, oozing and intense itching. When a dog scratches his ears, this not only spreads the infection, but the dog's nails can break the skin, resulting in a secondary bacterial infection affecting the dog's outer ear.

Yeast and other fungal infections have a tendency to spread to other body parts.
The most common treatment for a dog's fungal ear infection involves the use of ant-fungal drops or ointment, in conjunction with twice-daily cleanings of the dog's ears.

German Shpherd dog - common features

German Shepherds are a large-breed dog which generally are between 55 and 65 centimetres at the withers and weigh between 22 and 40 kilograms. They have a domed forehead, a long square-cut muzzle and a black nose. The jaws are strong, with a scissor-like bite. The eyes are medium-sized and brown with a lively, intelligent, and self-assured look. The ears are large and stand erect, open at the front and parallel. They have a long neck, which is raised when excited and lowered when moving at a fast pace. The tail is bushy and reaches to the hock.

A solid black German ShepherdGerman Shepherds can be a variety of colours, the most common of which are the tan/black and red/black varieties. Both varieties have black masks and black body markings which can range from a classic "saddle" to an over-all "blanket." Rarer colour variations include the sable, all-black, all-white, liver, and blue varieties. German Shepherds sport a double coat. The outer coat, which is shed all year round, is close and dense with a thick undercoat. The coat is accepted in two variants; medium and long. The long-hair gene is recessive, making the long-hair variety rarer.

Yeast infection

Yeast infection - One of the most common cause of canine ear problems is yeasts.
Owners will notice the dog shaking its head or scratching at its ears. Certain bacteria i.e. Staphylococci, Streptococci, E coli, and Pseudomonas spp also can cause infections in the dog's ear, and in many cases both bacteria and yeast are present. If the infection persists, the ear canal will become inflamed and often discharge a purulent exudate.
Veterinarian usually take an ear swab and examine it under a microscope to find out the exact cause of the infection as it will help in specific treatment plan to resolve the problem.

It is important to know that recurring ear infections in a dog are manifestations of other concurring diseases. Systemic allergies often cause dermatitis and itching in the ear canal, which predispose self-trauma and ear infection. Dogs with floppy ears are much more susceptible to yeast infection in dog ear than dogs with erect ears, because their ears provide a warm, dark place for yeast to grow.
Yeast infections (Malassezia otitis) may be the result of an adverse food reaction or as a reaction to ear mites. In middle age dogs, allergy (atopy) or a problem with the endocrine gland (endocrinopathy) should be considered as well as reactions to food.
Symptoms of yeast infection in dog ear include increased production of ear wax and other secretions. Ear wax may appear to be pinkish-brown and often the ear will have a bad smell.
You won’t be able to see it without magnification, but your vet will notice upon examination with a magnifying device that the ear tissue has changed to become thicker and spongier.
Your dog’s ears will itch. He will probably scratch or paw at them. He may also rub his nose with his paws, another a sign of allergies. Another sign of allergy is recurring ear infections during certain times of the year and no problems at other times.
Yeast Infection in Dog Ear DiagnosisYour veterinarian may suspect a yeast infection based on the amount and color of the ear wax and other secretions. They will look at the ear tissue of your dog when examined with a magnifying device. An ear wax sample will be taken with a swab for examination under a microscope.
The testing process will allow your veterinarian to rule out other types of infections. Secretions collected will be cultured for yeast, a test that takes 10 – 14 days in order for a diagnosis to be made. In the meantime, your vet will probably go ahead and begin treatment for a yeast infection.
Yeast Infection in Dog Ear Treatment Yeast infection in dog ear is treated first by cleaning out the ears with a gentle cleansing solution. When using a ear cleansing solution or wash a few drops should be applied to the inside of the ear flap and then the tip of the ear wash bottle should be inserted a few millimeters into the ear canal. Do not tightly force the tip of the bottle into the ear canal as forceful squeezing of the bottle with the bottle wedged into the ear canal could rupture the ear drum.
Most Dogs will shake their head after the wash is inserted into the ear, shaking out much of the solution. massaging the wash solution into the dogs ear. A tip is to massage the base of the ear which distributes the wash throughout the ear canal.
They are then treated with a medicated solution such as chlorhexidine. This will kill the yeast. Oral antibiotics are generally given at the same time. These will not help with the yeast infection, but there is often a bacterial infection present along with the yeast infection. Ear cleaning solutions are sold over the counter. Antibiotic ear ointments are only available with a prescription.
To control the inflammation and itching, an antihistamine such as benadryl may be recommended. Alternatively, a steroid such as prednisone may be prescribed, particularly in severe cases.
Since yeast infections are often related to allergies, the allergen(s) must be identified and dealt with. Often it is a food allergy. Switching your dog to a special diet for allergic dogs may help. Iams makes a lamb and rice food especially for dogs with allergy problems. Hills Science Diet has a formula for allergic dogs as well.
Treating a yeast infection can take up to three weeks, and if allergies are the main cause and if they are not dealt with, the infection usually returns. Talk to your vet about allergies and your dog.
Home Remedies Dog Ear Yeast InfectionHome use of an acetic acid/boric acid solution (Malacetic Otic, DermaPet) can be effective in treating yeast infection. The ear cleaner or flush is used daily for 7-10 days by filling the ear canal to overflowing, massaging the base of the ear, and allowing the solution to remain in the ear canal for 5 minutes. Loosened debris is wiped off of the concave pinnal surface with a dry cotton ball. This procedure is repeated once daily. When the ear canal is clean, the cotton ball will remain fairly white when the solution is wiped away. At that time, home ear cleaning is reduced to once weekly.
If the problem happens often, you might want to consider a dietary supplement designed for ear conditions. Dog ears contain wax and a variety of flora (e.g. yeast and certain bacteria). This can be healthy and helps to keep ears clean and free of infection. Herbal products help to maintain the natural balance of flora and healthy organisms in the ear. A solution worth trying are ear drops made by Pet Alive Ear Dr. which contains a blend of herbs selected for ear health.

Canine Ear Checklist
You may need to take your dog to the vet for a thorough examination if it:
Shakes its head or scratches its ears
Lives with other pets with parasitic infestations
Exudes a pungent odor from its ears
Has long, pendulous ears
Lives in a humid environment
Loves to swim or bathe
Has a history of recurring ear infections

Portuguese Water Dog -- White House Ist Dog

The Portuguese Water Dog is obedient, robust, functional conformation; and able to do a full day's work in and out of the water.

General Appearance

It is a swimmer and diver of exceptional ability and stamina. This highly intelligent breed has two coat types - curly or wavy and has a powerful, thickly based tail.
Height--Males, 20 to 23 inches. The ideal is 22 inches.

Females, 17 to 21 inches. The ideal is 19 inches.

Weight--For males, 19 to 27 Kg and for females, 16 to 22 Kg.

Head - An essential characteristic; distinctively large, well proportioned

Expression--Steady, penetrating, and attentive.

Eyes-- Medium in size; set well apart, and a bit obliquely. Darker eyes are preferred. Haws are dark and not apparent.

Ears--Set well above the line of the eye, except for a small opening at the back, ears are held against the head. Tips should not reach below the lower jaw.
Skull--It is slightly longer than the muzzle, when viewed head-on, the top of the skull is very broad and appears domed, with a slight depression in the middle. The forehead is prominent, and has a central furrow.

Jaws--Strong.

Nose--Broad, well flared nostrils. Fully pigmented; black in dogs with black, black and white, or white coats.

Teeth--Not visible when the mouth is closed. Canines strongly developed.

Body--Chest is broad and deep, reaching down to the elbow. Ribs are long.

Tail--Not docked; thick at the base and tapering; set on slightly below the line of the back; should not reach below the hock. The tail is of great help when swimming and diving.
Feet are round and rather flat. Webbing between the toes is of soft skin, well covered with hair, and reaches the toe tips. Central pad is very thick.

Nails held up slightly off the ground. Black, brown, white, and striped nails are allowed.
Coat - A profuse, thickly planted coat of strong, healthy hair, covering the whole body evenly. No undercoat or ruff. There are two varieties of coat:
Curly--Compact, cylindrical curls, somewhat lusterless.
Wavy--in waves, not curls
Color - Black, white, and various tones of brown and also combinations of black or brown with white.

Portuguese Water Dogs have a multi-octave voice. They are quiet dogs although they warn when the home is approached, and they communicate their desires vocally and behaviorally to their owner. Their bark is loud and distinctive. They sometimes whine.

Ear infection in your dog

For ear infection, the vet should always be consulted so that the right treatment therapy is provided to your pet. The cure of ear infection start the moment it is diagnosed. Otherwise, the condition may worsen. Ear infection is one major health concern and all dog owners should be well-informed about this.
The infection can be outer, middle, and inner ear infections. The primary symptoms are foul-smelling wax discharges, swelling, redness, pain, and inflammation. Affected dog will be either shaking or cocking its head frequently and at an unusual angle. It may also rub its ear because of irritation. In worse cases, dogs may develop balance problems and hearing impairment due to the disease.
Causes of ear infection -

it is due to either bacteria or yeasts or both. Mites may cause this disease as well. if your dog has some external parasites, be sure that you do what it takes to eliminate them from your pet's body. Allergies, underlying diseases, and foreign objects may trigger the problem as well.
it is strongly advised that you don't just buy over-the-counter medications as they may not necessarily help your pets. Instead, take your dog to the vet and follow his advice.

Dog owners should be more concerned on how to prevent ear infections. Regular grooming and proper hygiene can help a lot.

If left untreated, ear infection could lead to a complex health concerns for your dog. The bottom line is that simple ear infection can develop into diseases with complications are next to impossible to reverse. And these diseases shouldn't have occurred in your beloved pets, if you were only there to give them the necessary medical attention.
So the next time you see your pet irritable, scratching its ears often, and has abnormally high ear wax excretion, better be ready to take it to the vet.

Motion Sickness in dogs

Car sickness or Motion sickness is related to stress rather than the motion of your car. Like humans, dogs can also suffer from motion sickness. It can be caused by a number of factors, but primarily it is by movement in the inner ear. Receptors in the ear called the vestibular apparatus help an animal process position and movements. The dog will experience motion sickness if the signals coming in are excessive. Signs of motion or carsickness include drooling, and vomiting.
Management

1. Take very short trips. Start with just sitting in the car. Do this for a week and then start to do very short journey's (5-10 mins) with a really positive experience at the end and gradually increase the length of the car trip as the dog builds tolerance.

When your dog is able to do 30 minute journeys without stress, anxiety or sickness, you are pretty much close to your goal.

2. Allow the pet to see outside the vehicle. It's a good idea to have someone else in the car during these initial journeys as this person can sooth and distract your dog during the journey.

3. Provide lots of room to get up and move around.

4. Keep the vehicle cool and well ventilated.

5. Provide short breaks every 1-2 hours so that the dog has an opportunity to experience absence of car motion regularly. At the end of the return journey, create just as much fuss and play a short game.

You may want to make sure your dog has an empty stomach before getting in the car. Don't give him any food 3 to 4 hours prior to travel. Some vets also recommend limiting water intake just before travelling.
Allow your dog to relieve itself before travelling.