👉 Before you dive into the article, be sure to familiarize yourself with the terms and verbiage used regularly when talking about pet insurance in our pet insurance glossary.
Pet insurance can help with the cost of treating ear infections in pets by helping ease the out-of-pocket expenses associated with prescription medications and exams. Choose the right pet insurance plan for your furry family member so you get the best coverage for yourself and your pet.
Most pet insurance policies cover injuries and illnesses. The exception to this would be for pre-existing conditions. But, not to worry if this isn’t Fido’s first ear infection. Providers have two categories when it comes to pre-existing conditions: curable and incurable.
Most infections in general, including ear infections, are considered curable. If your pet has had any symptoms or been diagnosed with one within the last year (in the same area of their body), it won’t be covered. But, if it’s been over a year since the last occurrence, most policy providers will cover the bill (up to your deductible).
Compared to some other ailments and accidents that can happen with pets, a simple outer ear infection isn’t that expensive. The price can add up though, especially without insurance.
*Costs are based on Fetch by the Dodo data for insurance plans with a $300 deductible and 80% reimbursement rate. Vaccination rules vary by state—look up your state here—and reoccur on different schedules.
Your vet may also suggest cleaning your pet’s ears monthly to prevent infections or treat for ear mites, which would add about $10 every month to your pet budget.
👉 Leave diagnoses to the professionals. Plan a vet visit if your pet shows clinical signs of an ear infection!
For our four-legged friends, ear infections are fairly common. In both dogs and cats, ear canals are vertical and have an L-shape that tends to hold fluid easily. Most ear infections occur in the otitis externa, the external part of the ear.
Pet ears are dark, warm, and moist, making them a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. When fluid is trapped, bacterial and yeast infections can occur—more commonly in dogs, but cats’ ears are susceptible, too. Breeds with a lot of hair in the ear canal, floppy-eared dogs, or pets with smaller ear canals may be more at risk of ear infections.
Not all infections are due to moisture, though. Parasites such as mites or an injury to the ear can lead to an infection as well. Your vet needs to see your pet and determine the underlying cause to treat the infection properly, especially if it becomes recurring.
While most ear infections occur in the outer ear, middle and inner ear infections can sometimes occur. When the two innermost chambers of the ear (the otitis media and the otitis interna) are infected, it often means a visit to a specialized veterinarian.
Some pets are more likely to develop frequent ear infections than others, depending on a few factors:
Most infections are secondary to an underlying problem. Bacteria and yeast can be naturally occurring on skin and in ear canals. When inflammation happens at a cellular level, bacteria and yeast on the surface get into places where they don't normally live, creating an infection. Allergies can trigger inflammation.
Dr. Erica Irish
The symptoms of an ear infection in pets are similar to other conditions (like a ruptured eardrum) or more serious issues that could indicate neurological problems. Here are a few of the signs that may indicate your pet is dealing with an ear infection:
🚨 If your dog is walking in circles, has difficulty standing, or is experiencing unusual eye movements, these could be signs of a more serious problem. You should seek vet care immediately.
A diagnosis might be as easy as a quick vet exam if the infection is in the outer ear. Infections in other parts of the ear or recurring infections might mean a more complex diagnosis.
Here are three things your vet might do to diagnose your pet’s ear infection:
Once your vet has determined what kind of ear infection your pet has, they’ll begin treatment. This typically starts with a thorough cleaning of your pet’s ears. For uncomplicated and small infections, a medicated wash might be enough. For more severe infections, your vet might prescribe your furry friend an antibiotic and some anti-inflammatory medications to help with pain and discomfort.
In rare instances when ear infections are caused by conditions like cancer or other severe ear diseases that aren’t otherwise curable, removing the ear canal might be the best course of action so your pet can have a better quality of life.
There are ways to help minimize the chance of your pet getting an ear infection. Here are some tips to prevent ear infections before they get the chance to start.
Yes, most dog insurance covers ear infections as long as they aren’t a pre-existing, chronic condition.
It depends on the cause of the infection and where it is. For simple infections covered by insurance, it could be less than $20. For more complex infections in uninsured pets, that amount might jump to several hundred dollars or more.
Yes and no. An ear infection is a pre-existing condition, but it’s considered curable. If a pet hasn’t had one in over a year, then it isn’t something that should impact insurance.
First, make a vet appointment. If your vet has prescribed Benadryl in the recent past for your dog’s allergies, it’s safe to use that to alleviate some of your dog’s itching. It’s still important to go to the vet as soon as possible.
