How Much Are You Spending on Your Dog’s Ears?
How many ear infections has your dog had? Would it surprise you to know that ear are the second most common condition in dogs, according to Grand View Research, a market research and consulting company headquartered in San Francisco. Those of you whose dogs have been plagued with ear infections will not be surprised to know that Grand View projects the pet ear infection treatment market will reach $877 million by 2028!
Most of that enormous amount will be continue to be spent on anti-bacterial medications. Topical products are expected to continue to expand, as more diverse products are developed and demand continues to grow.
As you may know, I wrote about ear and skin problems, as well as other common problems , and the veterinary profession’s reactive approach to them. That is, in my opinion, not only short sighted but also fails to prevent the problem from recurring! And now, it’s projected to cost owners many hundreds of millions of dollars each year. In fact, Grand View reports the global companion animal health market was valued at $18.67 billion in 2020, and is expected to grow at a rate of 9.2% yearly.
These numbers are staggering, especially when translated to what a single dog owner might spend on an ear infection. Office visit? $50 – $75, depending on your location. More if it is done at an emergency facility. Ear cytology (microscopic examination of the material in the dog’s ear) $25 – $50. Medication? $30 – $60? That totals $100 – $185. And that’s not considering the possible near for a microbial culture and sensitivity ($200), oral medications ($50 – $100), and any additional related veterinary services. This is a significant expenditure for even one episode — but consider how many dogs have 3 or more episodes a year? And how many dogs are affected to account for all those hundreds of million dollars annually? At an estimate of $225 for an uncomplicated ear infection, that $877 million prediction represents approximately 3,897,777 cases. And I would venture at least half of them could be prevented.
Yes, I believe about two million cases could be avoided. How you ask? First and foremost, by feeding fresh food, not kibble. Whether commercially produced or homemade, a well designed fresh food diet is the very foundation of health. Second, judicious and thoughtful use of vaccines. Overvaccination — meaning repeatedly vaccinating when the dog is already immune to the disease — imposes additional stress on the immune system and promotes inflammation in the body. Third, appropriate grooming and maintenance of the ears, especially in breeds with hairy ears or longer coats.
It really is as simple as that. Of course there will be dogs with allergies, and narrow ear canals, and more. I’m not saying we can prevent every ear infection. But we can prevent many, and lessen the severity of a bunch too. Oh, and save you some significant money, too!
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