Pet Health
Condition Overview
Ear Fissure Occurs in breeds with floppy ears. It results from intense scratching along with violent head shaking, which causes the ears to snap.
Symptoms
The ear tips are denuded (lacking a usual or natural covering) or hair and often become bloody. With continued trauma, the tips of the ears split and a crack in the skin, called a fissure, appears.
All symptoms +
Causes
This condition results from intense scratching of the ears, along with violent head shaking, causing the ear to split (or fissure).
Diagnosis
Diagnosis is made by physical examination of the ear.
Treatment
The underlying irritation, often an external otitis, should be sought and treated to eliminate the head shaking. Treat the ear tips by applying an antibiotic-steroid ointment such as Panalog, once or twice daily. If the fissure does not heal, It may need to be surgically repaired. bandaging techniques that prevent ear movement may help to speed recovery.
Prevention
See Ear Otitis for possible preventions.
Support
Please contact your veterinarian if your pet's ear fissure will not heal or becomes infected.
Sources
Dog Owners Home Veterinary Handbook
Publisher: Wiley Publishing, 2007
Website: http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/
Authors: Debra M. Eldredge, Liisa D. Carlson, Delbert G. Carlson, James M. Giffen MD
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