Friday, July 9, 2021 « the western weekender
PET HEALTH WITH DR ERIN SHORT • GREENCROSS COREEN AVENUE • 4731 3055
Ear problems in our pets E
ar infections, are a common problem seen amongst our furry friends, especially those with long ears. Ear infections can cause extreme discomfort and further health problems if left untreated. There are many types of infectious bacteria, fungi, parasites, and foreign material which might cause inflammation and infection in the outer, middle, or inner ears. Dogs’ and cats’ ear canals are shaped like a long, ‘L’. They are great for hearing, but this shape predisposes them to collect debris and moisture. The most common causes of ear disease include allergies, heat and trapped moisture, excessive earwax, ear mites, foreign material like a grass seed, or an unknown growth.
There are many causes of ear problems in dogs. This may include allergies, temperature, trapped moisture, excessive wax, ear mites, foreign material, polyps and unknown growths. Some breeds, particularly those with floppy or hairy ears like Cocker Spaniels, Poodles, or Golden Retrievers, can be more prone to ear infections. However, they can occur in any breed. Healthy ears are generally pink, clean, and have an unobtrusive smell. A pet suffering from an ear infection could show a number of symptoms. Symptoms of an ear infection may include ears appear red and inflamed with a coloured discharge, a strong odour, constant ear scratching or shaking of the head, swelling around the ear and whimpering due to discomfort. Serious ear problems may cause loss of balance, hearing loss, unusual eye movements and walking in circles or head tilting. Ears are very sensitive. If you feel your pet may have a problem, please contact your veterinarian and arrange an appointment. Having your pets’ ears examined by a veterinarian will allow them to determine whether the eardrum is intact or if
there are any foreign materials in the ear canal. Vets can also obtain a sample for further diagnostics. Your vet will diagnose the cause of the problem and provide the best treatment and home care plan to combat the condition and have your pet in top shape once again. How are pet ear infections diagnosed? A thorough clinical examination, including examining your pet’s skin, assessing the ear drum to ensure it is intact coupled with taking a small sample of the ear contents and looking under the microscope will allow your veterinarian to determine the cause of the disease. When a pet is in extreme pain and does not allow the examination, it may be necessary to sedate or anesthetise the pet for a more thorough examination and diagnosis. How are ear infections treated? In many cases, ear drops can be applied to the affected ear. If there is foreign matter or excess discharge in the ear canal, the pet may need to be sedated or anaesthetised so that it can be removed prior to the ear drops being administered. Sometimes, more than one type of infection could be diagnosed, and this may require the use of multiple medications. Your veterinarian will recommend a tailored treatment plan
based on the diagnosis. Always follow your vet’s after care instructions and follow the medication directions that have been advised by your veterinarian. Do not use expired medications or medications that have been prescribed for another pet. If you suspect that they have an ear infection or irritation, contact the team at Greencross Vet Coreen Ave on 4731 3055.
HEALTH WITH FELICITY SPENCER-DAVEY ONE POINT HEALTH • 4732 5188
Common statement: “I’d love to get a massage, but I’m pregnant”
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here are plenty of myths surrounding pregnancy massage, so its not surprising to hear this remark. Since the early 1900s, when pregnancy and birth became more the domain of doctors than traditional midwives, people have been steered away from massage, as pregnancy was viewed as a fragile, dangerous condition, and many formerly commonplace activities were considered inappropriate. From the 70s, there was a change, home births became more common, many people sought a less medical birth, and natural therapies were once again considered, but massage was largely left out until the mid 90s. It’s been slow going, though, as even now there is a common belief that massage will somehow be harmful to mother, baby, or both. One of the most common myths around pregnancy massage is that it will cause a miscarriage, usually emphasised in the first trimester. Fortunately, there has been no evidence to show that this is the case. It is suspected that this misconception has come about due to the unfortunate statistic of 80 per cent of miscarriages happening in the first trimester. Massage therapists are highly
likely to have treated women in their first trimester unknowingly, as it’s common for women to be unaware of pregnancy in the first few weeks, or at times, months, especially if they are not planning for it. It’s also worth remembering how often a partner or parent of a pregnant woman has given them a massage, to alleviate some of the pain common to carrying that extra load. One could argue that an untrained touch would be far more dangerous, yet we can see that it is not causing complications. The benefits to pregnancy massage are considerable; reducing both muscle and nerve pain, improving quality of sleep, and lowering stress and anxiety levels, among the most notable. There are few reasons not to get a massage while pregnant, and these involve pregnancies that are high risk to begin with. You should seek approval from a GP if you have experienced: placenta previa, pre-eclampsia, pre-term contractions or previous pre-term labour, recent bleeding, pregnancy induced hypertension, or severe, sudden headaches. If you’re pregnant and thinking about a massage, hopefully this has made the decision a little easier, and you feel confident about your next visit!
