News Release
Texas Animal Health Commission
Box l2966 * Austin, Texas 78711 * (800) 550-8242 * FAX (512)
719-0719
Bob Hillman, DVM * Executive Director
For info, contact Carla Everett, information officer, at
1-800-550-8242, ext. 710, or ceverett@tahc.state.tx.us
For immediate release:
Nation's First Case of Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) for 2009 Detected in Texas
The nation's first case of vesicular stomatitis (VS) for 2009 has
been detected in a horse in Starr County, in far south Texas. VS is
a sporadically occurring virus that is endemic to the U.S. Signs of
the disease include blisters, lesions and sloughing of the skin on
the muzzles, tongue, teats and above the hooves of susceptible
livestock, which include horses, cattle, sheep, pigs, deer and some
other species of animals.
"The most recent outbreak was in 2006 limited to Wyoming only, where
17 horses and a dozen cattle on 13 premises were confirmed to have
the virus," said Dr. Bob Hillman, Texas' state veterinarian and head
of the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the state's livestock
and poultry health regulatory agency. "To prevent the spread or
introduction of infection, many states and countries will place
additional entry requirements or restrictions on the movement of
animals from affected states, or portions of the state. Call the
state or country of destination before moving livestock, to ensure
that all entry requirements can be met. Do not risk shipments being
turned away, or worse, spreading disease and facing legal action by
animal health authorities."
"Often horses are the signal, or first, animals to be confirmed with
vesicular stomatitis when the virus is active. If the blisters and
lesions are seen in cattle, sheep, pigs or other cloven-hooved
animals, our first concern is a possible introduction of
foot-and-mouth disease, the most costly and destructive foreign
animal disease. Horses are not susceptible to foot-and-mouth
disease, but anytime blisters or unusual sores are seen, animals
should be examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible."
"Move sick animals away from the remainder of the herd to protect
against disease spread," urged Dr. Hillman. "Do not move sick
animals from the premises, and call your veterinarian or the nearest
Texas Animal Health Commission area office, or the Austin
headquarters at 800-550-8242. Laboratory testing to confirm
infection can be run at no charge to the livestock owner.
"Vesicular stomatitis is painful for affected animals, but usually,
the lesions will heal within two weeks to a month. For some severe
cases, owners may elect to have an infected animal euthanized, to put an
end to the suffering. In dairies, VS infection can lead to a
substantial loss of production," said Dr. Hillman. Treatment of
VS-infected animals consists of supportive care, and antibiotics may
be needed to prevent secondary infections in the open sores. Animal
health officials in nearly all states, including Texas, require
VS-infected animals and their herd mates to be quarantined until at
least 21 days after all lesions have healed. A follow-up examination
of the animals by the state veterinarian's office is required prior
to quarantine release.
VS outbreaks are extremely sporadic, and years may lapse between
cases. Sand flies and black flies are thought to play a role in the
virus transmission, so controlling insects is important. In 2005,
the VS outbreak involved livestock on at least 445 premises in nine
states, including Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nebraska, New
Mexico, Texas, Utah and Wyoming. In 2004, affected animals were
detected in eight counties each in Texas and New Mexico and in 22
Colorado counties. Before the 2004 outbreak, VS had been "silent"
since 1998, when Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas had cases.
More information about VS and a map showing the location of Starr
County in Texas are available on the TAHC web site at:
http://www.tahc.state.tx.us.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Cattle Tuberculosis Confirmed in Texas; Check with States of Destination Before Shipping Cattle
News Release
Texas Animal Health Commission
Box l2966 * Austin, Texas 78711 * (800) 550-8242 * FAX (512) 719-0719
Bob Hillman, DVM * Executive Director
For info, contact Carla Everett, information officer, at 1-800-550-8242, ext. 710, or ceverett@tahc.state.tx.us
For immediate release:
Cattle Tuberculosis Confirmed in Texas;
Check with States of Destination Before Shipping Cattle
Cattle tuberculosis (TB) has been confirmed in a west Texas dairy that has been quarantined since April when some cattle in the herd responded to a TB test being conducted prior to a sale. (The sale was canceled.)
The cattle TB diagnosis was confirmed at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa, where M. bovis, or cattle TB bacteria, was grown or cultured from tissues that had been collected during the necropsy of the test-positive cattle.
The infected herd remains quarantined while the final disposition of the herd is determinedeither slaughtering the herd, or repeatedly testing and removing infected animals until the herd is free of cattle TB, said Dr. Bob Hillman, Texas state veterinarian and head of the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the state's livestock and poultry health regulatory agency. Dairy, calf-raising and dairy animal replacement operations with epidemiological links to the infected herd are being tested to determine both the origin and potential spread of the disease.
"I encourage ranchers or accredited veterinarians to call the state of destination prior to shipping bison, beef or dairy cattle out of Texas," said Dr. Hillman. "Some states may impose enhanced TB entry requirements on Texas cattle and bison. Keep in mind, too, that many states, like Texas, have implemented cattle trichomoniasis testing requirements, so call before you haul."
Dr. Hillman said Texas cattle TB-free status with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) could be in jeopardy, if the infected dairy cannot be depopulated, or if a second infected herd is detected within 48 months.
Nebraska, in early June, confirmed TB infection in a beef herd. Currently, California and Minnesota are not cattle TB-free, and areas in Michigan and New Mexico have specified zones that are not TB-free. When TB-free status is lost, breeding cattle and bison moved out of a state need a negative TB test within 60 days prior to shipment, or animals must originate from a herd that has accredited TB-free status, achieved through a formal testing and retesting program.
Texas initially gained TB-free status in November 2000, when all counties except El Paso and portions of Hudspeth Counties were declared free of the disease. (The El Paso Milk Shed had a history of recurring infection, and eventually, the dairies were depopulated. Dairies no longer operate in this area along the U.S.-Mexican border near El Paso.)
In June 2002, Texas lost TB-free status after infection was detected in a beef herd and in an operation with both beef and dairy cattle. To regain TB-free status, 2,014 Texas purebred beef herds and the state's 818 dairies were tested for the disease from October 2003 through August 2006. One TB-infected dairy was detected and depopulated. In September 2006, the USDA issued the coveted TB-free status for all of Texas 254 counties.
When exposed to cattle TB, an animal's immune system will fight the invasion by encapsulating the bacteria. This can cause the formation of lesions or growths in and on lymph nodes, mammary glands, lungs and other internal organs. Although infected, the animals may appear healthy, until the latter stages of the disease, when signs may include weight loss, coughing or breathing difficulties. The disease is not treatable in livestock.
"Cattle TB is a serious, transmissible disease that can spread among herds," said Dr. Hillman. "In the early 1900s, when the national cattle TB eradication program was initiated, more than five percent of the country's herds were infected with the disease. At that time, cattle TB posed a significant human health threat, because consumers could become infected when they drank raw, unpasteurized milk that had not been through heat-treatment to kill bacteria. Today, commercially produced milk is pasteurized. While bovine TB is still a human health threat, other forms of tuberculosis, such as the human and avian strains, now pose the greatest risk of TB exposure to persons."
--30--
Texas Animal Health Commission
Box l2966 * Austin, Texas 78711 * (800) 550-8242 * FAX (512) 719-0719
Bob Hillman, DVM * Executive Director
For info, contact Carla Everett, information officer, at 1-800-550-8242, ext. 710, or ceverett@tahc.state.tx.us
For immediate release:
Cattle Tuberculosis Confirmed in Texas;
Check with States of Destination Before Shipping Cattle
Cattle tuberculosis (TB) has been confirmed in a west Texas dairy that has been quarantined since April when some cattle in the herd responded to a TB test being conducted prior to a sale. (The sale was canceled.)
The cattle TB diagnosis was confirmed at the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) in Ames, Iowa, where M. bovis, or cattle TB bacteria, was grown or cultured from tissues that had been collected during the necropsy of the test-positive cattle.
The infected herd remains quarantined while the final disposition of the herd is determinedeither slaughtering the herd, or repeatedly testing and removing infected animals until the herd is free of cattle TB, said Dr. Bob Hillman, Texas state veterinarian and head of the Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), the state's livestock and poultry health regulatory agency. Dairy, calf-raising and dairy animal replacement operations with epidemiological links to the infected herd are being tested to determine both the origin and potential spread of the disease.
"I encourage ranchers or accredited veterinarians to call the state of destination prior to shipping bison, beef or dairy cattle out of Texas," said Dr. Hillman. "Some states may impose enhanced TB entry requirements on Texas cattle and bison. Keep in mind, too, that many states, like Texas, have implemented cattle trichomoniasis testing requirements, so call before you haul."
Dr. Hillman said Texas cattle TB-free status with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) could be in jeopardy, if the infected dairy cannot be depopulated, or if a second infected herd is detected within 48 months.
Nebraska, in early June, confirmed TB infection in a beef herd. Currently, California and Minnesota are not cattle TB-free, and areas in Michigan and New Mexico have specified zones that are not TB-free. When TB-free status is lost, breeding cattle and bison moved out of a state need a negative TB test within 60 days prior to shipment, or animals must originate from a herd that has accredited TB-free status, achieved through a formal testing and retesting program.
Texas initially gained TB-free status in November 2000, when all counties except El Paso and portions of Hudspeth Counties were declared free of the disease. (The El Paso Milk Shed had a history of recurring infection, and eventually, the dairies were depopulated. Dairies no longer operate in this area along the U.S.-Mexican border near El Paso.)
In June 2002, Texas lost TB-free status after infection was detected in a beef herd and in an operation with both beef and dairy cattle. To regain TB-free status, 2,014 Texas purebred beef herds and the state's 818 dairies were tested for the disease from October 2003 through August 2006. One TB-infected dairy was detected and depopulated. In September 2006, the USDA issued the coveted TB-free status for all of Texas 254 counties.
When exposed to cattle TB, an animal's immune system will fight the invasion by encapsulating the bacteria. This can cause the formation of lesions or growths in and on lymph nodes, mammary glands, lungs and other internal organs. Although infected, the animals may appear healthy, until the latter stages of the disease, when signs may include weight loss, coughing or breathing difficulties. The disease is not treatable in livestock.
"Cattle TB is a serious, transmissible disease that can spread among herds," said Dr. Hillman. "In the early 1900s, when the national cattle TB eradication program was initiated, more than five percent of the country's herds were infected with the disease. At that time, cattle TB posed a significant human health threat, because consumers could become infected when they drank raw, unpasteurized milk that had not been through heat-treatment to kill bacteria. Today, commercially produced milk is pasteurized. While bovine TB is still a human health threat, other forms of tuberculosis, such as the human and avian strains, now pose the greatest risk of TB exposure to persons."
--30--
Monday, June 15, 2009
DSHS Offers Hot Weather Precautions
As many Texas areas mark record high temperatures, the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) health officials offer precautions people can take to reduce the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
The elderly, the very young, people with chronic diseases and those without access to air conditioning are those most likely to suffer in extremely hot weather.
Staying in an air-conditioned area, either at home or in a public place such as a mall, library or recreation center, is the most effective way to combat heat. If air conditioning is not available, open the windows, pull the shades down to keep out the sun and use cross-ventilation and fans to cool rooms.
Other heat precautions from DSHS:
· Never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle in hot weather, even for a short time.
· Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid drinks with alcohol, caffeine or a lot of sugar. Don't wait until you are thirsty. Start drinking fluids at least 30 minutes before going out.
· Plan strenuous outdoor activity for early morning or evening when it’s cooler.
· Take frequent breaks when working outside.
· At the first signs of heat illness – dizziness, heavy sweating, nausea, headaches, muscle cramps – move to a cooler location, rest a few minutes and slowly drink a cool liquid. Seek medical attention immediately if conditions do not improve.
· Eat more frequently but be sure meals are well balanced, cool and light.
· Check frequently on the elderly, the ill and others who may need help.
· Adjust to the environment. A sudden change in temperature – an early heat wave or travel to a hotter climate – will be stressful to the body. Limit physical activity until you become accustomed to the heat.
· Check with a doctor or pharmacist about the effects of sun and heat when taking prescription medications, especially diuretics or antihistamines.
The best defense against heat-related illness is prevention. Staying cool, drinking plenty of fluids, wearing cool clothing and monitoring outdoor activities are keys to staying healthy in hot weather.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Technical and Financial Assistance to Fight Cattle Fever Tick Available Through USDA-NRCS
Natural Resources Conservation Service
13434 Leopard St, Suite A14
Corpus Christi, TX 78410
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Melissa Blair, 361-241-0609, melissa.blair@tx.usda.gov
May 29, 2009
Technical and Financial Assistance to Fight Cattle Fever Tick
Available Through USDA-NRCS
The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is providing technical and financial assistance to ranchers in a 17-county area to help fight the spread of the cattle fever tick. The conservation assistance will be available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for the Rio Grande Domestic Animal Stress/Mortality Statewide Resource Concern, since the cattle fever ticks can carry and transmit a tiny blood parasite called, ‘babesia,’ that can be deadly to cattle.
The 17 counties included are Brooks, Cameron, Dimmit, Duval, Frio, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, La Salle, Kinney, Maverick, Starr, Val Verde, Webb, Willacy, Zapata, and Zavala.
Livestock producers can voluntarily work with their local NRCS and soil and water conservation district (SWCD) to develop a conservation plan with land management practices that help them meet their land management goals and objectives. The producers will also receive technical assistance to implement the conservation plan and in installing land management practices to fight the spread of cattle fever tick.
Conservation and land management practices that are eligible for financial assistance in the cattle fever tick initiative are cross fencing, trough and livestock pipe, pond, well, brush management, range planting, prescribed burning, prescribed grazing, and wildlife upland habitat management. The installation and implementation of these practices will serve to facilitate livestock handling, prescribed grazing, alter or destroy the cattle fever tick habitat, and also help manage the wildlife, which are potential carriers/hosts of the fever tick.
“We know that in working together with the landowners and other partners to fight the cattle fever ticks, we will be that much closer to eradication,” said Don Gohmert, Texas state conservationist with NRCS. “By utilizing the delivery system already on the ground, NRCS and the SWCDs can work with landowners to develop and implement conservation plans that address the whole property in order to protect their natural resources while disrupting the life cycle of the cattle fever tick.”
Conservation plans will provide landowners the management tools he or she can follow to meet their natural resource management objectives and goals, and provide the mechanism for the management of cattle and wildlife.
Gohmert reminded agricultural producers that a conservation plan is not a contract. Only when the landowner receives financial assistance on practices identified in the plan, will he/she have contracts drawn up for those specific practices. The assistance and services provided through NRCS and the SWCDs are provided without a fee and are available to all agricultural producers.
NRCS is working in partnership with the SWCDs, Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Councils, Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB), Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), and the USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on this fever tick initiative.
Interested livestock producers should visit their nearest NRCS office for more information about technical and financial assistance available to help them fight the cattle fever tick through conservation planning and implementing land management practices.
###
"The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer."
13434 Leopard St, Suite A14
Corpus Christi, TX 78410
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Melissa Blair, 361-241-0609, melissa.blair@tx.usda.gov
May 29, 2009
Technical and Financial Assistance to Fight Cattle Fever Tick
Available Through USDA-NRCS
The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is providing technical and financial assistance to ranchers in a 17-county area to help fight the spread of the cattle fever tick. The conservation assistance will be available through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for the Rio Grande Domestic Animal Stress/Mortality Statewide Resource Concern, since the cattle fever ticks can carry and transmit a tiny blood parasite called, ‘babesia,’ that can be deadly to cattle.
The 17 counties included are Brooks, Cameron, Dimmit, Duval, Frio, Hidalgo, Jim Hogg, Jim Wells, La Salle, Kinney, Maverick, Starr, Val Verde, Webb, Willacy, Zapata, and Zavala.
Livestock producers can voluntarily work with their local NRCS and soil and water conservation district (SWCD) to develop a conservation plan with land management practices that help them meet their land management goals and objectives. The producers will also receive technical assistance to implement the conservation plan and in installing land management practices to fight the spread of cattle fever tick.
Conservation and land management practices that are eligible for financial assistance in the cattle fever tick initiative are cross fencing, trough and livestock pipe, pond, well, brush management, range planting, prescribed burning, prescribed grazing, and wildlife upland habitat management. The installation and implementation of these practices will serve to facilitate livestock handling, prescribed grazing, alter or destroy the cattle fever tick habitat, and also help manage the wildlife, which are potential carriers/hosts of the fever tick.
“We know that in working together with the landowners and other partners to fight the cattle fever ticks, we will be that much closer to eradication,” said Don Gohmert, Texas state conservationist with NRCS. “By utilizing the delivery system already on the ground, NRCS and the SWCDs can work with landowners to develop and implement conservation plans that address the whole property in order to protect their natural resources while disrupting the life cycle of the cattle fever tick.”
Conservation plans will provide landowners the management tools he or she can follow to meet their natural resource management objectives and goals, and provide the mechanism for the management of cattle and wildlife.
Gohmert reminded agricultural producers that a conservation plan is not a contract. Only when the landowner receives financial assistance on practices identified in the plan, will he/she have contracts drawn up for those specific practices. The assistance and services provided through NRCS and the SWCDs are provided without a fee and are available to all agricultural producers.
NRCS is working in partnership with the SWCDs, Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Councils, Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB), Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), and the USDA-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on this fever tick initiative.
Interested livestock producers should visit their nearest NRCS office for more information about technical and financial assistance available to help them fight the cattle fever tick through conservation planning and implementing land management practices.
###
"The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer."
Monday, June 1, 2009
Pet Talk - Ear Care for Pets
Ear Ye, Ear Ye
Hot, humid days are rapidly approaching as summer slowly begins. The season means finally diving into the neighborhood swimming pool, children on summer vacation running through the streets, and grass lawns growing at seemingly breakneck speeds. But summer could also mean painful ear infections for your pet. Heat, moisture and even grass clippings could cause serious problems for your furry friend’s ear
canals.
“Allergic skin disease affecting the ears and the ear pinnaes, ear mites, foreign bodies such as plant material like a grass awn, or ectoparasites such as a tick are all probable causes of ear infections,” explains Dr. M.A. Crist, a clinical assistant
professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. “Hair can grow deep in the ear canals causing the build-up of wax and moisture leading to bacterial growth and infection.”
The causes range from a variety of factors, but one fact seems to remain the same. Our pets often contract ear infections on a regular basis. Crist explains why our pets are so susceptible to contracting these problems.
“The basic anatomy of the cat and dog ear canal has a vertical and horizontal section that predisposes them to ear infections. Waxy debris must work its way upward and outward instead of just straight out,” says Crist. “Irritation to the ear usually results in overproduction of waxy debris.”
An ear infection can sometimes go unnoticed, as our pets cannot always tell us when something is wrong. Fortunately, there are a few warning signs that can let pet owners know when an ear infection might be present.
“Early signs that your pet may be developing an ear infection may include them scratching at their ears, shaking their head, redness of the ears, holding one ear flap slightly dropped to one side or the animal may exhibit signs that ear or ears are painful when you pet or touch around the area,” notes Crist. “Debris or a discharge might be noted in the ear canal and an odor from the ears may become
noticeable.”
If symptoms go untreated, ear infections could become very painful and cause the animal to have more severe clinical signs, sometimes requiring the pet to be sedated or put under general anesthesia to have the ears examined.
“Severe infections of the middle ear can lead to facial nerve paralysis, which gives a ‘droopy jaw’ appearance on the affected side of the face,” describes Crist. “Another complication is an aural hematoma and needs to be corrected surgically.”
If you suspect that your pet has an ear infection, it is important to visit your veterinarian to receive a full examination and diagnosis. “If a pet owner believes their animal to have an ear infection, it is recommended that they visit a veterinarian for a general dermatological history and full examination, complete with a thorough physical examination of the ear, otoscopy and cytologic examination,” says Crist. “A sample of the discharge will be obtained, examined and
identified. Once a diagnosis has been made, medications are selected and home treatment is usually continued for several weeks. The ears need to be rechecked to make sure the infection has been resolved.”
Fortunately, there are several preventative measures that can be taken to keep your pet free from pain and your wallet from becoming empty.
“Prevention is key,” urges Crist. “Heat and moisture are enemies of the ear canal and allow bacteria and yeast to flourish. Keeping the animal’s ears clean and dry is important. It is also important to check your pet’s ears regularly as part of their regular grooming routine to avoid ear infections. Giving their ears a quick glance daily could help prevent ear problems from arising.”
While it sounds simple enough, many pet owners are uninformed of the proper methods of ear care and some ignore ear care entirely.
“Routine ear cleaning is a simple method of providing ear therapy,” notes Crist. “A variety of ear cleaners are available and your veterinarian will prescribe the most appropriate ear cleanser for your pet to use during their regular grooming routine. The frequency of cleaning will also be determined by your vet.”
Ear cleaning is easy and can prevent major problems down the road and save your pet from extensive damage to their hearing abilities.
“You want to begin an ear care regimen before your pet keeps you up at night shaking their head, scratching at their ears or before the smell of their ears reaches you before your pet does,” emphasizes Crist. “Every moment that your animal’s ears are inflamed and infected causes damage to the ear canal. It is important to seek
veterinary care right away and to follow through with the treatment regimen.”
Don’t let an ear infection put a damper on your summer fun. Following a few preventative measures and being aware of the warning signs will help ensure that your furry friends are both happy and healthy.
ABOUT PET TALK...
Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Stories can be viewed on the Web at http://tamunews.tamu.edu/.
Hot, humid days are rapidly approaching as summer slowly begins. The season means finally diving into the neighborhood swimming pool, children on summer vacation running through the streets, and grass lawns growing at seemingly breakneck speeds. But summer could also mean painful ear infections for your pet. Heat, moisture and even grass clippings could cause serious problems for your furry friend’s ear
canals.
“Allergic skin disease affecting the ears and the ear pinnaes, ear mites, foreign bodies such as plant material like a grass awn, or ectoparasites such as a tick are all probable causes of ear infections,” explains Dr. M.A. Crist, a clinical assistant
professor at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. “Hair can grow deep in the ear canals causing the build-up of wax and moisture leading to bacterial growth and infection.”
The causes range from a variety of factors, but one fact seems to remain the same. Our pets often contract ear infections on a regular basis. Crist explains why our pets are so susceptible to contracting these problems.
“The basic anatomy of the cat and dog ear canal has a vertical and horizontal section that predisposes them to ear infections. Waxy debris must work its way upward and outward instead of just straight out,” says Crist. “Irritation to the ear usually results in overproduction of waxy debris.”
An ear infection can sometimes go unnoticed, as our pets cannot always tell us when something is wrong. Fortunately, there are a few warning signs that can let pet owners know when an ear infection might be present.
“Early signs that your pet may be developing an ear infection may include them scratching at their ears, shaking their head, redness of the ears, holding one ear flap slightly dropped to one side or the animal may exhibit signs that ear or ears are painful when you pet or touch around the area,” notes Crist. “Debris or a discharge might be noted in the ear canal and an odor from the ears may become
noticeable.”
If symptoms go untreated, ear infections could become very painful and cause the animal to have more severe clinical signs, sometimes requiring the pet to be sedated or put under general anesthesia to have the ears examined.
“Severe infections of the middle ear can lead to facial nerve paralysis, which gives a ‘droopy jaw’ appearance on the affected side of the face,” describes Crist. “Another complication is an aural hematoma and needs to be corrected surgically.”
If you suspect that your pet has an ear infection, it is important to visit your veterinarian to receive a full examination and diagnosis. “If a pet owner believes their animal to have an ear infection, it is recommended that they visit a veterinarian for a general dermatological history and full examination, complete with a thorough physical examination of the ear, otoscopy and cytologic examination,” says Crist. “A sample of the discharge will be obtained, examined and
identified. Once a diagnosis has been made, medications are selected and home treatment is usually continued for several weeks. The ears need to be rechecked to make sure the infection has been resolved.”
Fortunately, there are several preventative measures that can be taken to keep your pet free from pain and your wallet from becoming empty.
“Prevention is key,” urges Crist. “Heat and moisture are enemies of the ear canal and allow bacteria and yeast to flourish. Keeping the animal’s ears clean and dry is important. It is also important to check your pet’s ears regularly as part of their regular grooming routine to avoid ear infections. Giving their ears a quick glance daily could help prevent ear problems from arising.”
While it sounds simple enough, many pet owners are uninformed of the proper methods of ear care and some ignore ear care entirely.
“Routine ear cleaning is a simple method of providing ear therapy,” notes Crist. “A variety of ear cleaners are available and your veterinarian will prescribe the most appropriate ear cleanser for your pet to use during their regular grooming routine. The frequency of cleaning will also be determined by your vet.”
Ear cleaning is easy and can prevent major problems down the road and save your pet from extensive damage to their hearing abilities.
“You want to begin an ear care regimen before your pet keeps you up at night shaking their head, scratching at their ears or before the smell of their ears reaches you before your pet does,” emphasizes Crist. “Every moment that your animal’s ears are inflamed and infected causes damage to the ear canal. It is important to seek
veterinary care right away and to follow through with the treatment regimen.”
Don’t let an ear infection put a damper on your summer fun. Following a few preventative measures and being aware of the warning signs will help ensure that your furry friends are both happy and healthy.
ABOUT PET TALK...
Pet Talk is a service of the College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University. Stories can be viewed on the Web at http://tamunews.tamu.edu/.
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