Otitis in dogs

               

 It is the most common disease symptom in dogs and involves infection of ears. Any infection to the tubular canal that carries sound to the ear drum is known as Ootitis externa. This condition occurs when the layer of  cells lining the ear canal get inflammed. It is very common in hairy breeds with hairy ears like cocker spaniels, poodles, sheep dogs etc.

Etilogical factors :

                  Parasites ( Demodicosis, otodectes, sarcoptes, ticks etc) 

                  Foreign objects 

                  Atopic dermatitis 

                  Adverse food reactions 

                  Neoplasia ( cancer growth) 

                 Auto - immune and cell mediated immune diseases. 

       Secondary factors :

                 Some of the bacterial infections like staphylococcus, streptococcus, E coli, proteus, pseudomonas, corynebacterium. 

                 Some of the fungal infections like malassezia, candida, aspergillosis sps etc. 

Clinical signs :

                Some of the symptoms like head shaking, swelling, scratching, Redening of skin, odor,  black or pusy discharges from ear, scaling, due to continuous irritation and scratching dog may develop aural haematoma. 

Diagnosis :

               Based on the history, clinical signs of erythema, head shaking, hyper pigmentation, trauma, primary and secondary skin abnormalities and physical examination using otoscope (this helps in checking closing of ear canal with discharges or inflammation of ear canal cells).

Collection of tissues for culture ( to identify any infection causing microbes).

Smears collected using cotton tipped applicator gives immediate results.

A dark discharges from the ear canal usually suggests yeast or Parasitic infections anday also associated with mixed infection.

Other tests like allergy tests ( like increase in eosinophils in blood). Antibiotic sensitivity test using bacterial culture. These are some of the techniques can be used to detect infection in ear.

Treatment :

                       Shaving of the area around the ear which helps in easy cleaning of ear and also treatment. Topical therapy is the main stay for Ootitis externa, although Systemic usage of anti - inflammatory therapy or anti microbial therapy may be indicated for individual patients. Most dogs with Ootitis irrespective of condition can benefit with anti - inflammatory therapy. Glucocorticoids can also be used for short duration to help with pain and swelling, thus helps in improving compliance for treatment and ear cleaning. Glucocorticoids can also helps im biofilm formation thus preventing developing of chronic condition.

Some of the common anti microbials used in Ootitis externa condition in dogs are

   

  Ciprofloxacin + dexamethasone combinatiom ear drops

       Ofloxacin ear drops

      Finofloxacin ear drops.

Anti-fungal ear drops like

       Ketoconozole 

       Fluconozole 

       Miconozole etc.

                   Best method of treatment include application of anti-microbials, Anti-fungal drugs should be associated with Corticosteroids which works well against pain and inflammation.

Prevention :

            Make sure that dog is free of any infection by regular ear cleaning and check up. Not any abnormality in pigmentation, erythema, temperature changes, sudden increase of moisture etc. Care should be taken in order to prevent any moisture present after bathing or dog, presence of moisture can easily attract infections agents (fungal infection). Clipping of plucking hair from inside the pinna and around the ear canal, which helps in ventilation and prevents moisture accumulation.