Some conditions of the ear

The ear consist of three parts the outer, middle, and inner, it is of vital importance in maintaining balance in particular the

inner ear which informs the brain of the position of the head.

Ear mites

Ear mites occur in horses, often showing no signs but can be responsible for severe irritation, headshying,and an aural

discharge (in the normal horse ear the wax is a thick dark grey). treatment with anti parasitic drugs is usually affective.

Dentigenous cyst

A Discharge sinus at the base of the ear or from the edge of the pinna may be associated with a dentigenous cyst this cyst is

a congenital abnormality which may contain an aberrantly situated tooth and can be removed surgically.

Swollen partotid gland

The parotid salivary gland is situated at the base of the ear and may occasionally become swollen when horses or ponies

are at grass the affected animals look as though they have mumps. The cause is unknown but is thought to be an allergy

the condition spontaneously and rapidly resolves its self when the animals are brought indoors.

The parotid gland is also a common site of a melanoma- the black pigmented tumour of the grey horse.

Vertigo -loss of balance

Loss of balance and in co-ordination of the limbs could result from a condition affecting the inner ear, they are fortunately very

rare in the horse.

Bleeding from the ear

Very rarely horses may bleed from the ear usually after a fall, but fungal infections can do this as can a very bad tooth.