Are canine/feline ear infections similar to ear infections in people?
Most canine and feline ear infections only involve the external ear. In humans, the disease most often involves the middle ear. Whereas a respiratory viral and/or bacterial illness is often the culprit behind ear infections in people (think the common cold), ear infections in cats and dogs are set off by inflammation from a variety of causes. Another difference is that cats and dogs usually dont outgrow ear infections, but in people it is usually children that are affected and with age the problem will resolve. How does inflammation cause an ear infection? Normally the inside of the ear flaps and the ear canals are lined by a happy, healthy outer skin layer (the epithelium). When inflammation is present, this layer becomes reddened, thickened, and sometimes very swollen. This inflammation alone can make a pet go crazy with itching. The itchiness factor rises exponentially when bacteria and yeast that are normal inhabitants of the skin and ear canals thrive on this inflamed surface and
