488 DISEASES OF THE EAR 



In some animals the thick, heavy, cartilaginous conchal base 

 may be fractured by external violence. 



Symptoms.— In dogs careful shaking of the head and hold- 

 ing it to one side, crying and evincing pain when the ear 

 comes in contact with objects are often noted. Careful 

 inspection will reveal the nature and extent of the wound. 



Prognosis.— Favorable in most cases. In dogs with long 

 ears, and when the wounds are extensive, it is difficult to 

 prevent their shaking the head and aggravating the wound, 

 which will materially influence the healing process. 



Treatment.— In recent wounds the edges should be care- 

 fully cleaned, straightened with the scissors if necessary, and 

 approximated with sutures. To facilitate union in some cases 

 it is necessary to bandage the ears over the top of the head 

 using a cap to cover the entire head to hold them in place. 

 Frequent dressing (twice daily) is advisable. Apply boric 

 acid powder as an antiseptic and to prevent adhesions of the 

 parts by the secretions. When extensive tearing of the entire 

 structure is found, it is necessary in some cases to remove 

 a portion of the ear-flap. In this case it is best to remove a 

 similar portion of the normal ear so that the ears will be 

 symmetrical after healing takes place. 



ULCERATION OF THE CONCHA. 



This condition occurs most frequently in dogs and espe- 

 cially in the breeds possessing long pendent ears. The ulcer- 

 ous process is found in nearly all cases on the edge of the 

 concha. 



Etiology.— Occurs in most cases from injuries with more 

 or less constant shaking of the head. The irritation thus 

 produced keeps up the injury and interferes with union of the 

 parts. Ulceration is most frequent during the fly season. 

 The irritation produced by the flies causes the animal to 

 shake its head violently, injuring still further the wounded 

 parts. This is observed especially in older animals. Other 

 diseases such as otitis and eczema produce it in a similar 

 manner. Hunting dogs are frequently affected from the ears 

 becoming injured while going through brush, briers, etc. 



