Ear Infections in Wallabies
Wallabies have long, upright, pointed ears. Ear mites, yeast overgrowth and infections are quite common in wallabies, just like they are in more traditional pets that have ears of similar size/shape. This is especially true in warm and humid climates.
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Identification
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In hot and humid climates, ear wax and sweat can build up over time and become stagnant because of the large ear surface of the typical wallaby. If this occurs, or if your pet wallaby shows signs of distress, ear mites and/or infection might be present. These problems are easily diagnosed by a veterinarian via visual examination or analyzing an ear wax smear.
Generally, if something abnormal is found, your vet might preform a more detailed microscopic analysis of a stained slide of ear wax, or she might send in a yeast culture directly from the ear for further lab analysis.
Treatment
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Once the tests are performed and the problem has been identified, treatment is generally simple and quite effective, given the proper diagnosis was made. Treatment can range from a simple ear cleaning to, in some more severe cases, a seven-to-14- day course of oral or topical antibiotic. Generally, as long as the problem is caught early, full recovery is expected.
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Prevention
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It is important to clean your pet wallaby's ears fairly regularly. You can simply use a cotton ball and any brand of dog ear cleaner from your local pet store. It is best to consult your veterinarian regarding any abnormal behavior or ear discharge, because the sooner a problem is identified, the sooner it can be treated and taken care of.
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References
- Photo Credit wallaby face image by Xavier MARCHANT from Fotolia.com
