Common Disease Name:

Ear Infection

Medical Term for Disease:

Otitis External- inflammation of the external ear canal

Species Affected by Disease:

Dogs and cats

Age Animal Usually Affected:

Any

Commonly Affected Breeds:

Pendulous-eared dogs, especially spaniels and retrievers; terriers, poodles, shar pei and other dogs with hairy external canals are commonly reported.

Sex Usually Affected:

Any

Disease Symptoms:

Whining while scratching at ears, foul odor, redness and swelling of ear canal, head shaking, head tilting, holding ear down and pain are common complaints.

Method(s) of Diagnosis:

After a complete examination of the ear and canal, microscopic examination of exudates in the ear canal is the single most important diagnostic tool after complete examination of the ear canal. The type of bacteria or yeast present helps select treatment. White blood cells in the exudates means there is an active infection and oral antibiotics are needed. A culture and sensitivity is used when the infection is resistant.

Disease Causes:

Parasites such as mange and ear mites often induce Otitis external. Hypersensitivities including inhalant allergies (atopy), food allergy, contact allergy and systemic or local drug reaction are the most common primary causes of Otitis external. Excessive moisture, due to swimming or to frequent cleanings with improper solutions, can lead to infections. Obstructions due to tumors, polyps, cerumen gland hyperplasia, and accumulation of hair may be either the cause of the problem or contributing to the problem. Keratinization disorders, including seborrhea and increased cerumen production result in functional obstruction of the ear canal. The canine ear is often infected by the bacteria Proteus spp. and Pseudomonas spp. Infections are often mixed with, or due entirely to Malassezia pachydermatis, a budding yeast.

Treatment:

Three steps should be followed in the treatment of all cases of otitis external: 1. The external ear canal should be completely cleaned of debris and foreign bodies. If correctly instructed, clients can effectively clean the ears of cooperative patients. Uncooperative patients with severely affected canals may have to be sedated to flush ears properly 2. Aggressive ear cleaning should be frequent during initial treatment- every 12-24 hours, and maintained every 48 hr. to once per week, once signs of otitis external have resolved 3. Appropriate topical medications should be applied frequently and in sufficient quantity to permit complete treatment of the entire external canal

Prognosis:

Progressive changes, such as canal thickening, excessive wax from cerumen gland over growth, fibrosis, and actually calcification of the ear canal cartilage prevent return to a normal ear canal even with proper treatment and may result in reoccurrence of disease. With proper therapy, most cases of otitis external should resolve in 3-4 weeks.

Complications:

Surgery is indicated when the canal has become severely small or obstructed, or when cancer or a polyp is diagnosed. • Severe, unresponsive otitis media may require surgery. Lateral ear resection as well as ablation leaves the ear flap intact. Uncontrolled otitis external can lead to otitis media, deafness, vestibular disease, cellulites, facial nerve paralysis, progression to otitis internal, and rarely meningitis

Prevention:

Keep ears clean- learn how to properly cleanse your dog's ear. Commercial ear cleansers are highly effective combinations of ingredients for cleaning and disinfecting ear canals. Use a ear drying solution after baths or swimming.

Medicines Used for Treatment of Disease:

Ear cleansers, topical antibiotics, topical anti-fungal solutions to adjust the ear pH and make medications work better, topical steroids, anti-fungal, oral antibiotics and steroids. Skin support diets or hypoallergenic diets often help dogs with underlying atopy or food allergy.

Helpful Products:

Ear cleansers and drying solutions; hypoallergenic diets or skin support diets or supplements