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Otitis Externa (ear infections) In Dogs
5 dog ear infection treatments - Understanding Otitis: Cause and Pathogenesis
- Treating Otitis Externa in Dogs | Today's Veterinary Practice
Although treating otitis externa can be challenging, most chronic and recurrent cases can be medically treated and successfully managed, especially when underlying causes are addressed. Under certain circumstances, a surgical intervention may be necessary, but it should be performed only after all primary causes have been identified and corrected. Because of the severity of chronic otitis and potential involvement of the middle ear, the most effective surgical procedure is total ear canal ablation combined with lateral bulla osteotomy; however, clients must be informed about the potential risks and postsurgical complications.
It is very important to clearly and thoroughly discuss with clients the requirements for successfully managing chronic otitis. Discussions should address the primary causes e.
To increase client compliance, show them how to clean and treat the ears, provide detailed written instructions, and schedule follow-up calls, all of which can be done by skilled veterinary nurses. To increase patient compliance, provide pain control and ensure that ear cleaning and treatment are gently performed.
Paterson S, Matyskiewicz W. A study to evaluate the primary causes associated with Pseudomonas otitis in 60 dogs. J Small Anim Pract. Aetiology of canine otitis externa: a retrospective study of cases. Vet Dermatol. Oral cyclosporine in the treatment of end-stage ear disease: a pilot study. Nuttall T. Successful management of otitis externa.
In Practice. Chen T, Hill PB. The biology of Malassezia organisms and their ability to induce immune responses and skin disease. Preliminary study of the stability of dexamethasone when added to commercial veterinary ear cleaners over a day period. Cerumen microbial community shifts between healthy and otitis affected dogs. Section 2: Otic preparations. Ames, IA: Wiley-Blackwell; — Pets may shake their heads, scratch their ears, or rub their ears against furniture or the floor. Some pets with severe infections may cry or groan as they rub and scratch their ears.
Some pets scratch so severely that their nails create wounds on the skin around their face, neck, and ears. External ear infections may progress to involve the middle and inner ear, leading to more serious signs of disease: External ear infection otitis externa Itchy or painful ears Head shaking Discharge and odor from the ears Narrowing or even closing of the canals Middle ear infection otitis media Paralysis of the nerves in the face Dry eye Hearing loss Abnormal pupil size Inner ear infection otitis interna Inability to keep balance, stand, or walk Nausea Head tilt How Is an Ear Infection Diagnosed and Treated?
During a physical examination, your veterinarian will look in the ear for the presence of inflammation, redness, discharge, growths, or other findings that may indicate an ear infection. Sometimes, a cotton swab is used to collect debris from the ear. This material can be placed on a slide and examined under a microscope to determine if the infection is due to yeast, bacteria, or mites.
Your veterinarian may also collect a sample of ear debris for culture and sensitivity testing, which identifies the exact organisms present and helps your veterinarian select the best antibiotic to use. In severe cases, or if the animal is in too much pain to permit an examination of the ears, sedation may be needed to evaluate the ears, collect samples of discharge, clean the ears, and initiate treatment. With the pet sedated, the ears can be gently flushed to remove debris and facilitate better examination of the ear.
Unfortunately ear infections are a recurring problem for some dogs. The following information is intended to give you an understanding of why ear infections occur, and the best way to treat them.
There are a number of factors that can predispose a dog to ear infections. These factors alter the environment in the ear canal, making it more likely to become infected. Common predisposing factors in dogs include:. The conformation of the ear canals, such as narrowed ear canals, the presence of hair, or an abundance of secretory glands.
Certain breeds are more prone to ear problems due to their conformation. Moisture can predispose dogs to ear infections. Increased humidity or swimming can result in increased moisture in the ear canals and maceration of the ear canal, resulting in infection. Trauma from excessive cleaning with ear cleaners or cotton buds, or vigorous hair plucking can also predispose to infection. There are also primary factors that can directly cause inflammation of the ears otitis externa.
Canine chronic and recurrent otitis externa can be extremely challenging to treat and require multifactorial, step-by-step strategic plans. Understanding otitis and its associated causes and contributing factors is an important initial step toward successful diagnosis and treatment. Understanding the multifactorial nature of otitis and paying attention to the different causes and contributing factors, not just the infection, is critical because the infection is usually only part of the problem Figure 1.
The most recently proposed classification for otitis includes primary and secondary causes and predisposing and perpetuating factors Table 1. Pathologic cycle for chronic otitis externa. Primary disorders initiate the inflammatory process within the ear canal and alter the aural environment, allowing secondary complicating factors, such as infections, to develop.
The primary cause may be very subtle and often is unrecognized by the owner or even the veterinarian until a secondary complicating factor arises. Most cases have a primary cause. No primary factor could be identified in 32 of cases. Allergic and hormonal diseases can be associated with unilateral or bilateral otitis, but bilateral otitis is more common. Foreign bodies, neoplasia, and polyps are usually associated with unilateral otitis; however, bilateral problems have been reported.
Otitis externa secondary to allergies. Secondary causes occur in combination with primary causes or predisposing factors. The most common secondary causes are infections.
When they are chronic and difficult to treat, it is usually because primary causes or perpetuating factors have not been adequately addressed.
Predisposing factors alone do not cause otitis externa, but they facilitate inflammation by permitting the external ear canal microenvironment to be altered, thereby allowing pathogenic or opportunistic bacteria or yeast to become established. It is important to eliminate as many of these factors as possible while realizing that some, such as ear conformation, cannot be changed. Perpetuating factors sustain and aggravate the inflammatory process and prevent resolution of, or worsen existing, otitis externa.
In many cases, perpetuating factors prevent the resolution of otitis externa when treatments are directed only at primary and secondary causes. These factors may be subtle at first but can develop into the most severe component of chronic ear disease. They are not disease specific and are most commonly seen in chronic cases.
Perpetuating factors are the most common reasons for surgical intervention. A detailed and complete history is essential to help investigate the underlying cause and associated factors. The ear examination allows the clinician to evaluate the amount and type of exudate in the ear canals; estimate the amount of otic inflammation; identify hyperplasia along with palpation of the horizontal and vertical ear canals , masses, and foreign bodies; and determine the status of the tympanic membrane eg, changes in structure or rupture.
These findings help in determining whether medical management or surgery total ear canal ablation with or without bulla osteotomy is the best treatment. Regular ie, handheld otoscopes should have a strong light and power source. If available, fiberoptic video-enhanced otoscopy eg, video-otoscope [ Figure 3 ] is extremely helpful in improving diagnosis and therapy because it not only allows visualization of fine details that may not be seen with regular otoscopes but also facilitates proper flushing of the ears, determination of disease extent, and discovery of indications for additional diagnostics and treatment eg, myringotomy, otitis media.
However, because of the expense to purchase and maintain this equipment, referral to a dermatologist may be necessary. Performing a complete physical examination, including a detailed dermatologic examination, can help in identifying an underlying or primary cause.
If your dog is showing signs of painful ear irritation, the problem is not likely to go away on its own. Additionally symptoms of an ear infection mirror other ear issues, such as polyps or tumors, allergies, hematoma, or even neurological disease. A veterinarian will determine what type of ear infection your canine companion has, and that will determine the appropriate treatment. There are three kinds of dog ear infections; otitis externa outer ear , otitis media middle ear , and otitis interna inner ear infection.
The most common type of ear infection for a dog is otitis externa or outer ear infection. Humans and animals metabolize medications differently, and certain human meds can be toxic for animals. Medications for dog ear infections should only be administered as prescribed by your vet.
If a prescription is available at your local pharmacy, you may be able to use your SingleCare card to save. Some medications your veterinarian may prescribe to treat dog ear infection may include:.
Ear drops are often used to treat animals with chronic ear infections.
Search for:. Home Care. Facebook Twitter Email Print. Skip To. Chronic ear infections may involve bacterial or yeast overgrowth in the external, middle, or inner ear. Chronic infection can permanently damage the ear canal and cause pain, neurologic signs, and deafness. Ear infections are usually secondary to an underlying condition that allows for an unhealthy ear environment.
Treatment is based on eliminating the bacteria or yeast with antibiotics or antifungal medication while working to resolve the underlying condition. Regular ear cleanings and resolution of the underlying condition help to prevent recurrence. What Is a Chronic Ear Infection? Ear infections are usually secondary to inflammation of the external ear canals the tube-shaped part of the ear visible under the ear flap.
Inflammation of the canals leads to the reproduction of normal bacteria and yeast that live in the ear to the point where the body is unable to control their numbers called overgrowth. Other bacteria can also take advantage of the inflammation and unhealthy environment inside the ear to establish infection. The overgrowth of these organisms causes more inflammation. Inflammation of the ear canal causes swelling, making the tube narrower than usual. Inflammation also causes an increase in the production of wax.
The ears become very itchy and painful. Severe ear infections can lead to eardrum rupture and middle and inner ear infections.
Deep infections can lead to deafness and neurologic signs. Certain disorders or diseases may be the primary reason ear infections develop. These conditions include: Allergies environmental and food Ear mites Foreign bodies Skin disorders like seborrhea Thyroid disease in dogs Tumors or polyps in the ear Ear infections may recur because of the inability to control the original infection or treat the underlying cause. Chronic changes lead to future infections, and scar tissue and permanent narrowing of the ear canals can make future infections difficult to treat.
What Are the Signs of an Ear Infection? An external ear infection first shows signs of local inflammation redness, discharge. Pets may shake their heads, scratch their ears, or rub their ears against furniture or the floor. Some pets with severe infections may cry or groan as they rub and scratch their ears. Some pets scratch so severely that their nails create wounds on the skin around their face, neck, and ears.
External ear infections may progress to involve the middle and inner ear, leading to more serious signs of disease: External ear infection otitis externa Itchy or painful ears Head shaking Discharge and odor from the ears Narrowing or even closing of the canals Middle ear infection otitis media Paralysis of the nerves in the face Dry eye Hearing loss Abnormal pupil size Inner ear infection otitis interna Inability to keep balance, stand, or walk Nausea Head tilt How Is an Ear Infection Diagnosed and Treated?
During a physical examination, your veterinarian will look in the ear for the presence of inflammation, redness, discharge, growths, or other findings that may indicate an ear infection. Sometimes, a cotton swab is used to collect debris from the ear. This material can be placed on a slide and examined under a microscope to determine if the infection is due to yeast, bacteria, or mites. Your veterinarian may also collect a sample of ear debris for culture and sensitivity testing, which identifies the exact organisms present and helps your veterinarian select the best antibiotic to use.
In severe cases, or if the animal is in too much pain to permit an examination of the ears, sedation may be needed to evaluate the ears, collect samples of discharge, clean the ears, and initiate treatment.
With the pet sedated, the ears can be gently flushed to remove debris and facilitate better examination of the ear. Radiographs X-rays and other diagnostic tests can be performed while the pet is sedated to determine if the middle or inner ear are also involved. Once the infection has been identified, most animals with chronic ear infections can be treated at home. Ear mites are relatively easy to treat with medication placed directly into the ear or applied topically between the shoulder blades.
Most yeast and bacterial infections can be treated with regular cleanings and topical or oral medication. When inflammation is severe, a steroid may be needed to give comfort to your pet and decrease the swelling around the ear canals. If there are underlying problems such as thyroid disease or seborrhea, these must also be addressed to clear the infection and reduce the chances of recurrence.
If the ear canals have been permanently narrowed or damage is otherwise severe, surgery may be recommended to allow for drainage and application of medication. In other cases, more extensive surgery may be recommended to prevent the pet from being in chronic pain due to a permanently deformed, infected ear.
Once an infection has been cleared, maintaining a healthy ear environment with regular cleaning helps prevent recurrence. Underlying diseases such as allergies and skin disorders must be identified and resolved in order to help avoid future infections. This article has been reviewed by a Veterinarian. Care Your Pet's Prescribed Diet. Care Vomiting in Cats and Dogs. Care Selecting a Groomer.
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A course of corticosteroid tablets (prednisolone) is often required to help reduce the inflammation. In severe cases we will also need to use. Prednisone does not treat infections. Prednisone reduces the inflammation response and may alleviate the symptoms. But it also suppresses the immune response of. localhost › care › chronic-ear-infecti. Corticosteroid ear drops are generally used to decrease inflammation, itching and pain. This type of medication may also be used to decrease the amount of. Oral anti-inflammatory dosages of prednisone or prednisolone ( to 1 mg/kg q24h) can be used initially and then tapered to the minimum alternate-day dosage. Histopathology and bacterial culture of removed tissue or masses should always be performed. These drugs may be used in animals with otitis media, moderate or marked proliferative changes with suspected otitis media, or no response to appropriate topical therapy and cleansing. For more severe and chronic cases, the authors prefer to use a topical product containing antifungal medication e.She also obtained a Master of Science degree in veterinary dermatology at the University of Minnesota, where she completed a residency in veterinary dermatology. She is the author of Canine and Feline Dermatology Drug Handbook as well as many scientific articles and book chapters. She serves as scientific advisor and editor for several journals and has presented at many national and international conferences. Her professional interests include allergies, otic diseases, autoimmune disorders, multidrug-resistant infections, and equine dermatology.
Canine chronic and recurrent otitis externa can be extremely challenging to treat and require multifactorial, step-by-step strategic plans. Understanding otitis and its associated causes and contributing factors is an important initial step toward successful diagnosis and treatment.
Understanding the multifactorial nature of otitis and paying attention to the different causes and contributing factors, not just the infection, is critical because the infection is usually only part of the problem Figure 1. The most recently proposed classification for otitis includes primary and secondary causes and predisposing and perpetuating factors Table 1.
Pathologic cycle for chronic otitis externa. Primary disorders initiate the inflammatory process within the ear canal and alter the aural environment, allowing secondary complicating factors, such as infections, to develop. The primary cause may be very subtle and often is unrecognized by the owner or even the veterinarian until a secondary complicating factor arises.
Most cases have a primary cause. No primary factor could be identified in 32 of cases. Allergic and hormonal diseases can be associated with unilateral or bilateral otitis, but bilateral otitis is more common.
Foreign bodies, neoplasia, and polyps are usually associated with unilateral otitis; however, bilateral problems have been reported. Otitis externa secondary to allergies. Secondary causes occur in combination with primary causes or predisposing factors. The most common secondary causes are infections. When they are chronic and difficult to treat, it is usually because primary causes or perpetuating factors have not been adequately addressed.
Predisposing factors alone do not cause otitis externa, but they facilitate inflammation by permitting the external ear canal microenvironment to be altered, thereby allowing pathogenic or opportunistic bacteria or yeast to become established. It is important to eliminate as many of these factors as possible while realizing that some, such as ear conformation, cannot be changed.
Perpetuating factors sustain and aggravate the inflammatory process and prevent resolution of, or worsen existing, otitis externa.
In many cases, perpetuating factors prevent the resolution of otitis externa when treatments are directed only at primary and secondary causes. These factors may be subtle at first but can develop into the most severe component of chronic ear disease. They are not disease specific and are most commonly seen in chronic cases. Perpetuating factors are the most common reasons for surgical intervention.
A detailed and complete history is essential to help investigate the underlying cause and associated factors. The ear examination allows the clinician to evaluate the amount and type of exudate in the ear canals; estimate the amount of otic inflammation; identify hyperplasia along with palpation of the horizontal and vertical ear canals , masses, and foreign bodies; and determine the status of the tympanic membrane eg, changes in structure or rupture. These findings help in determining whether medical management or surgery total ear canal ablation with or without bulla osteotomy is the best treatment.
Regular ie, handheld otoscopes should have a strong light and power source. If available, fiberoptic video-enhanced otoscopy eg, video-otoscope [ Figure 3 ] is extremely helpful in improving diagnosis and therapy because it not only allows visualization of fine details that may not be seen with regular otoscopes but also facilitates proper flushing of the ears, determination of disease extent, and discovery of indications for additional diagnostics and treatment eg, myringotomy, otitis media.
However, because of the expense to purchase and maintain this equipment, referral to a dermatologist may be necessary. Performing a complete physical examination, including a detailed dermatologic examination, can help in identifying an underlying or primary cause. Otic cytology establishes whether an infection is present in the ears and assists with the selection of topical therapy.
Cytologic samples should be collected gently from the horizontal canal. Exudate samples can be smeared onto a slide with mineral oil to look for mites. The most common type of coccoid bacteria found in the ears of dogs with otitis externa is Staphylococcus pseudintermedius , and the most common type of rod bacteria is Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
This might explain why, in some cases, sensitivity results in vitro and response to topical therapy in vivo do not always correlate. Clinicians should sample the middle ear separately if otitis media is confirmed when the tympanic membrane is intact.
The types and sensitivity pattern of bacteria isolated from the middle ear may differ from those of bacteria isolated from the external canal.
Dogs with chronic, recurrent, and severe otitis and those with neurologic signs eg, vestibular signs or facial nerve paralysis , para-aural swelling, or pain on opening the mouth usually require diagnostic imaging to help identify contributing problems, such as middle ear disease eg, otitis media, neoplasia and otitis interna, that cannot be identified with regular otoscopy Table 2.
Patients with an apparently normal tympanic membrane may also have otitis media. This procedure is very helpful not only as a diagnostic tool but also as part of the treatment plan. This procedure should be performed under general anesthesia so that the ear can be completely cleaned and the ear canal and tympanic membrane examined. Anesthesia also allows the placement of an endotracheal tube, which precludes the aspiration of fluids that may pass through the middle ear into the auditory tube and then into the posterior pharynx.
Ideally, computed tomography of the tympanic bulla should be performed before the flush to stage ear disease and help make the decision to perform myringotomy if otitis media is present. Several techniques to clean and flush the ears exist. If myringotomy is performed, the tympanic membrane usually heals within 30 days after the procedure. Deep ear flush and myringotomy are best performed by experienced practitioners with a video-otoscope; therefore, referral to a dermatologist might be ideal.
In most cases of otitis externa, topical therapy alone is sufficient and is preferred when possible. In contrast, chronic, severe cases of otitis externa and otitis media often require additional systemic therapy.
The amount of medication applied is important. Generally, the recommendation is to use about 0. Ear cleaners should be used at home as part of most treatment protocols initially once daily to twice weekly depending on the severity of the otitis and amount of discharge present and as maintenance therapy usually once to twice weekly to help prevent future infections once the otitis and infection are resolved.
However, overcleaning should be avoided because it can contribute to maceration and ear disease. Clients should be educated on the proper technique to clean the ears and to avoid using cotton balls and cotton swabs inside the ears.
Available ear cleaners include drying agents, antiseptics, ceruminolytics, and combination products. Many different acaricidal products may be used to treat infections caused by Otodectes cynotis ear mites and, less commonly, Demodex species. It is important to always use higher volumes or concentrations of topical antibiotics because they may prove efficacious, even when resistance has been suggested on a susceptibility panel.
With topical drugs, concentrations to times superior to the minimum inhibitory concentration may be reached. For Pseudomonas Figure 7 and multidrug-resistant infections, I recommend treating the patient until 1 week past negative cytologic and culture results. Chronic Pseudomonas otitis. Antibacterial agents: These products are indicated when infection is present and cleansing solutions are insufficient.
Most topical antibacterial products also contain glucocorticoids and antifungals. Numerous topical preparations of variable potencies are available for use in the external ear canal. Most cases of chronic otitis externa benefit from topical glucocorticoids. Glucocorticoids have antipruritic, anti-inflammatory effects and decrease exudation and swelling, thereby helping to reduce pain and discomfort. In addition, they cause sebaceous atrophy and decrease glandular secretions.
Glucocorticoids may reduce scar tissue and proliferative changes, which helps to promote drainage and ventilation. Most ear products contain various combinations of glucocorticoids, antibiotics, antifungals, and parasiticides.
Two new veterinarian-administered products containing florfenicol, terbinafine, and mometasone furoate Claro, bayerdvm. The duration of effect is 30 days for Claro and 7 days for Osurnia. Ears should not be cleaned at home after application. The recommendation is for use in the clinic after ear cleaning, and only with intact tympanic membranes. These are great options for patients that do not allow topical therapy at home and to improve compliance, with potential benefit for acute or mild otitis cases.
Their use in chronic severe otitis cases is limited because severe hyperplasia and stenosis preclude ear cleaning and evaluation of the tympanic membrane. These drugs may be used in animals with otitis media, moderate or marked proliferative changes with suspected otitis media, or no response to appropriate topical therapy and cleansing.
Usually, higher doses are recommended to achieve good penetration in the middle ear. Treatment duration may vary; however, I usually treat for 1 month after resolution of clinical signs and healing of the tympanic membrane from spontaneous perforation or myringotomy.
Fluoroquinolones may be prescribed when Pseudomonas species, other relevant gram-negative organisms, or very resistant gram-positive bacteria are isolated and susceptibility is confirmed after culture. Higher doses than usually recommended may be needed. Ciprofloxacin should be avoided in dogs because oral absorption is inconsistent and low In rare cases, injectable antimicrobials, such as aminoglycosides, carbapenems, and ceftazidime sodium, may be required to treat multidrug-resistant otitis cases.
Potential side effects with these therapies need to be considered. Referral of these cases to a dermatologist should be considered, particularly when treatment options are limited.
Antifungal agents can sometimes be used in severe cases of Malassezia otitis or cases with poor response to topical agents alone. Oral antifungals commonly used include ketoconazole Nizoral, nizoral. Terbinafine Lamisil, lamisilat. Glucocorticoids are usually indicated in cases of markedly inflamed and painful otitis with chronic pathologic changes, such as marked hyperplasia and stenosis of the canal.
Oral anti-inflammatory dosages of prednisone or prednisolone 0. I typically recommend oral glucocorticoids for cases of Pseudomonas otitis and for dogs that have undergone deep ear flushing. Oral glucocorticoids can also be helpful to reduce pain and discomfort, particularly a few days before the owners clean and medicate the ears. When longer-term treatment is expected, alternate-day glucocorticoid therapy may be indicated, with careful monitoring for adverse effects.
Oral cyclosporine Atopica, us. All dogs were evaluated clinically every 4 weeks to monitor progress; they all showed significant clinical improvement based on owner and clinical assessments. Individual owners also commented on improved disposition, hearing, and quality of life.
I have seen limited benefits with oral cyclosporine in end-stage disease Figure 8 , but the drug may be considered in cases when surgery cannot be performed. It is very important to talk to clients about the lengthy process of managing otitis, including the need for proper home therapy and frequent follow-up visits, pain management, quality of life, long-term prognosis, and medical costs.
Clients must also be taught how to clean the ears and place ear medications.
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