Which of the following are examined in a pet's ears during grooming?

• A. Ear wax buildup
• B. Hematomas only
• C. Signs of infection and hematomas
• D. Signs of infection only

Answer: (C)

During grooming, the ears are checked as part of the pet’s overall health to catch problems early. The focus is on signs of infection—redness, swelling, discharge, or a foul odor—and on hematomas, which are blood-filled pockets in the ear flap or canal that can result from scratching or trauma. Identifying both kinds of findings helps determine whether veterinary care is needed or if a change in grooming approach is required. Ear wax buildup can be observed, but it isn’t by itself a problem unless there are accompanying infection signs or discomfort; similarly, detecting only hematomas would miss infections, and only infection signs would miss a potential hematoma. So the comprehensive ear check during grooming targets both infection signs and hematomas.