Then use a cotton ball saturated with mineral oil to wipe inside the ear flap. The otoscopic and microscopic examination results usually determine the diagnosis and course of treatment. Perpetuating factors sustain and aggravate the inflammatory process and prevent resolution of, or worsen existing, otitis externa.1,2 Once present, they accentuate or permit the development of secondary causes, such as infection, by providing favorable environments and microscopic niches. 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.16 Malassezia species are also common organisms15 (Figure 4). Otherwise, a pinch or two of boric acid is an effective preliminary treatment.. In patients with otitis media and/or otitis interna, concurrent neurologic abnormalities (eg, facial paralysis, nystagmus, ataxia, head tilt) may be present; therefore, a detailed neurologic examination is indicated. Ear Infections in Dogs (Otitis Externa) | VCA Animal Hospitals However, overcleaning should be avoided because it can contribute to maceration and ear disease. 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. By the first or second application, says Dr. Hershman, you should see all kinds of debris flowing out. Papich MG. Ciprofloxacin pharmacokinetics and oral absorption of generic ciprofloxacin tablets in dogs. Use to remove results with certain terms Pet Products. This type of infection is also known as otitis externa. Note erythema and brown purulent exudate at the entrance to the vertical ear canal. So, three easy tips for keeping infections at bay include: 1. Ears should not be cleaned at home after application. Ear Infections in Dogs | Blue Cross But what approach works best? Many dogs with chronic or recurrent ear infections have allergies; allergies are a component of ear infections in as many as 43% of cases. Your vet will often first treat these dogs the same as dogs with acute otitis. Cytologic samples should be collected gently from the horizontal canal. When they are chronic and difficult to treat, it is usually because primary causes or perpetuating factors have not been adequately addressed. Written by You can also try massaging the base of their ear to ensure the cleaner is doing its job of getting all the debris or wax out. ), are more prone to ear infections, but they can occur in any breed. For up to 70% of dogs with chronic otitis externa, the driving factor for the chronic inflammation is allergy. Numerous topical preparations of variable potencies are available for use in the external ear canal.1013 The frequency of use varies from q6h to q24h, depending on the product and the severity of the otitis. Clinicians should sample the middle ear separately if otitis media is confirmed when the tympanic membrane is intact. 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). Dogs with ear infections are uncomfortable. Then empty the syringe before filling it again.. Have used pellitol and hes been off antibiotics for 2 months!!! Chronic Ear Infection in Dogs and Cats - Vetstreet Aerobic and anaerobic bacterial microflora of the middle ear cavity in normal dogs. See the handout Applying Ear Drops to Dogs for a step-by-step guide to administering ear medication to your dog. I live on Belvoir Media Group, LLC. Treating your Yard for Fleas and Ticks. Shop. Emily Johnson, Medically reviewed by Dr. Dwight Alleyne, Everything we create is factually accurate and biased toward science meet our team of experts. Substances that are usually not irritating in normal ear canals may cause irritation in an ear that is already inflamed. I often have them hold the end of the Q-tip while I demonstrate cleaning so they feel confident about doing it correctly without hurting their dogs.. For the patient, the case is much more critical -- they are often in severe pain. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you. Follow your veterinarian's advice on cleaning ears at home. Ear mites can cause several signs, including a black discharge, scratching, and head shaking. Having moisture in the ear canal can lead to bacteria growth, causing a bacterial infection. Signs include headshaking, odor, redness of the skin, swelling, scratching, increased discharge, and scaly skin. This condition occurs when the layer of cells that line the external ear canal becomes inflamed. Griffin CE. Chronic Ear InfectionsWhat Dog Owners Should Know 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. If the mass is large and aggressive, your veterinarian may recommend a total ear canal ablation (TECA) procedure where the entire ear canal is removed. 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. The vestibular disease causes symptoms such as a head tilt, loss of balance, incoordination, and uncontrollable shifting eye movements known as nystagmus. Odor. Chronic otitis is a common and frustrating disease for owners and veterinarians. Holistic veterinarian Stacey Hershman, of Nyack, New York, took an interest in dog ear infections when she became a veterinary technician in her teens. The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user. Use a gentle cleaning agent such as green tea, or a commercial product such as Halos Natural Herbal Ear Wash. 2. Understanding otitis and its associated causes and contributing factors is an important initial step toward successful diagnosis and treatment. Disorders of the Outer Ear in Dogs. Glucocorticoids have antipruritic, anti-inflammatory effects and decrease exudation and swelling, thereby helping to reduce pain and discomfort. When Dr. Hershman began her veterinary practice, she met many dogs who wouldnt let anyone touch their ears. Sometimes, the problem is a foreign body, a polyp, or a tumor; treatment with medication alone will not resolve these problems. Your veterinarian may also recommend removal of the hair in the ear canals, a painful procedure usually done under anesthesia. Culture and susceptibility tests are often used in severe or chronic ear infections to ensure your dog receives the right medication. Lorie Huston, DVM, was a veterinarian and writer with over 20 years of hands-on expertise providing medical and surgical care to pets. Hes been having chronic ear infections since march and nothing has worked. Available ear cleaners include drying agents, antiseptics, ceruminolytics, and combination products. Ear mites are tiny parasites that suck blood and fill the ear with waste matter that looks like black coffee grounds. Canine chronic and recurrent otitis externa can be extremely challenging to treat and require multifactorial, step-by-step strategic plans. Assemble real (not synthetic) cotton balls and the ear cleaning solution. I tell people to protect their furniture for a day or two, says Hershman. An important part of the evaluation of the patient is identifying an underlying disease. Were reader-supported. Absolutely! Boric acid is toxic; note warnings on the label. In chronic cases, the ears may appear crusty or thickened, and the ear canals often become narrowed (stenotic) due to chronic inflammation. All rights reserved. A dark discharge in the canal usually signals the presence of either a yeast infection or a parasite such as ear mites, but may also be seen with a bacterial or mixed infection. An ear flush can be traumatic if the ear is inflamed, she warns, and occasionally there will be an ulcer or sore that you dont know is there and it will bleed. Copyright 2023 Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA and its affiliates. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Ear infections typically wont go away on their own, so its important to have your dog seen by your veterinarian for treatment. If it creates a brownish red stain when you smear it, youre looking at digested blood from mites. If your dog has any type of discharge from its ears, it should be examined by a veterinarian. An ear infection is an irritating and painful overgrowth of bacteria or yeast in the ear canal, usually caused by an underlying condition such as ear mites, a skin problem, or excess earwax. An examination using an otoscope will allow identification of foreign objects deep in the ear, impacted debris, low-grade infections with parasites, and ruptured or abnormal eardrums. Identifying these factors is key to successful control of the inflammation. There may be an underlying issue that your holistic veterinarian can identify and treat. It should not be inhaled, swallowed, or placed in the eye. Your dog must be examined to ensure the eardrum is intact. "}},{"@type":"Question","name":"Can ear infections be caused by food allergies?","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Absolutely! How to Treat Dog Ear Infections Properly. This procedure should be performed under general anesthesia so that the ear can be completely cleaned and the ear canal and tympanic membrane examined. I usually recommend C/S before a systemic antibiotic is selected. To clean your dog's ears correctly, follow these steps: Hair samples for ringworm tests may be warranted. Gently grasp the base of the ear and pull the pinna up and away from the head in order to straighten out the L shape of the canal. I learned this by trial and error. She also obtained a Master of Science degree in veterinary dermatology at the University of Minnesota, where she completed a residency in veterinary dermatology. Causes of chronic ear infections in dogs Here are some potential reasons why your dog is having frequent ear infections: 1. This may involve plucking, shaving, and removal of hair from the ear canals. Chronic Ear Infections in Dogs: What You Need to Hear Your dog's ear infections should not be ignored, as they can easily lead to permanent hearing loss. That excess will dry and fall off. Usually, higher doses are recommended to achieve good penetration in the middle ear. Here's what to know about dog ear infections. Closing of the ear canal is another result of a chronic ear infection. Here are some potential reasons why your dog is having frequent ear infections: Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of natural yeast in your dogs ear, most commonly stemming from allergies. Otitis Externa in Animals. In a retrospective study3 of 100 dogs with acute (37%) and chronic-recurrent (63%) otitis externa, the most common primary cause of otitis was allergic dermatitis (43/100 dogs; Figure 2), followed by grass awns (12/100) and otoacariasis (7/100). How can you tell if your dog has ear mites? Otitis in Dogs - Madison Veterinary Specialists See the handout "Total Ear Canal Ablation and Bulla Osteotomy (TECA-BO)" for information on this surgery. The immune system will not recognize and react to the new protein, which may reduce your dogs symptoms. The frequency of cleaning usually decreases over time from daily to once or twice weekly as a preventive maintenance procedure. In other words, ear infections are among the most common recurring canine problems. The most recently proposed classification for otitis includes primary and secondary causes and predisposing and perpetuating factors (Table 1).13. ","acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Most ear infections in dogs will have a dark discharge or drainage, swelling, visible irritation or inflammation, scabbing or crust around the ears, and usually comes with a foul odor. Also, there have been cases in which the alternatives described here dont work. Defalque V, Rosser EJ Jr, Peterson AD. Ear mites and parasites like ticks will cause your dogs ears to itch. 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. Cause of Ear infections in Dogs | My Pet and I Several techniques to clean and flush the ears exist.9 Follow-up visits after flushing are very important to monitor response to therapy and evaluate the status of the tympanic membrane. Ear Infections (Otitis) in Dogs - FirstVet View the Professional Version Treatment Preventive Care For More Information The tubular portion of the outer ear that carries sound to the eardrum is called the ear canal. She serves as scientific advisor and editor for several journals and has presented at many national and international conferences. Oral anti-inflammatory dosages of prednisone or prednisolone (0.5 to 1 mg/kg q24h) can be used initially and then tapered to the minimum alternate-day dosage that controls the clinical signs. {"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Whats the most common cause of dog ear infections? . Air-Dried and Freeze-Dried Raw Diets for Dogs, Whole Dog Journals 2023 Approved Freeze-Dried/Dehydrated Dog Foods. But after 30 years of treating ear infections, Im convinced more than ever that they are the best way to treat canine ear infections.. In any of these cases, flushing is not recommended. Next, push a Q-tip into the vertical ear canal until it stops, then scoop upward while rubbing it against the walls of the vertical canal. Already have a myVCA account? All are dosed at 5 to 10 mg/kg q24h or q12h (divided). If you suspect your pet is sick, call your vet immediately. His ears remarkably cleared up, dried up, and now hes got a new lease on life. Although otitis interna is uncommon in dogs with chronic otitis externa, otitis media is common, with a reported incidence of 50% to 88.9%. Because they all had different techniques, I saw dozens of different treatments, and I kept track of what worked and what didnt.. The procedure begins with a mild, natural, unscented liquid soap from the health food store. Copyright 2023 Today's Veterinary Practice Web DesignbyPHOS Creative. If the dog has a very narrow ear canal, I gently work it down with a Q-tip., Next, she attaches the Pellitol applicator to the tube and squeezes the pasty ointment into the ear canal, applying enough pressure as she withdraws the tube to completely fill the canal. These factors may be subtle at first but can develop into the most severe component of chronic ear disease. They can have an array of underlying causes such as allergies, moisture in the ear, wax build-up, or parasites. Ear infections in dogs - PDSA Ear Infections In Dogs: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, And Prevention Bacterial infections come from bacterial growth in the ear, usually caused by moisture or wax buildup. VCA Hospitals. I would really like to try this for my choc. They dont teach this in veterinary school, she says. Otic products containing betamethasone (Otomax) and dexamethasone (Tresaderm) are usually effective but can be absorbed systemically and cause adrenal suppression with long-term use, so they should be used cautiously. The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes. Dr. Hershmans cleaning and flushing program can be used afterward for preventive maintenance. Cytologic appearance of degenerate neutrophils and cocci (high-power oil immersion field 100 objective). This is particularly true of propylene glycol. How Do Dogs Get Ear Infections + Tips For Preventing One - PetFriendly Box These organisms may cause disease if the environment of the ear changes in a way that allows them to multiply and cause an infection. Heres how to finally break the cycle and get your pup some much needed relief. Irritating medications (eg, home remedies and vinegar dilutions) should be avoided. But if the ears are not inflamed and are simply waxy or filled with tarry exudates, flushing works well.. The recommendation is for use in the clinic after ear cleaning, and only with intact tympanic membranes. She obtained her DVM degree at the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Emily Estep is a biologist and fact checker focused on environmental sciences. For dogs with bacterial and yeast infections, you should expect weekly or bi-weekly physical examinations and tests until there is no evidence of infection. Thanks! By The trusted provider of veterinary information since 1955, Ear Infections and Otitis Externa in Dogs, Reviewed/Revised Jun 2018 | Modified Oct 2022. Wax is a normal occurrence in both our ears and our pups ears. There are a variety of vet-approved ear cleaners you can buy to help. Your vet also may end up treating any residual infection with antibiotics or other medications, such as topical medication or a medicated cleanser. Clients must also be taught how to clean the ears and place ear medications. In some cases, the ear canals become so stenotic (narrow) that it is impossible to treat them medically. Additional tests are sometimes needed to identify the factors causing the inflammation. Thats when I use cotton balls or Q-tips to remove whatevers left, says Dr. Hershman. In addition, when she treats a dog with infected ears, she usually gives a homeopathic remedy to stimulate the dogs immune system and help it fight the infections underlying cause. Dog owners shouldnt clean their dogs ears more than 2-3 times weekly to avoid irritation unless instructed by your veterinarian. However, when they do it, the ear sometimes reabsorbs the blood unevenly, and the dog is stuck with a scarred ear, sometimes called a "cauliflower ear," for life. You dont want to push so hard that you cause pain, she says, but for maintenance cleaning using gentle pressure, its impossible to harm the eardrum. The Spruce Pets uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Ear infections in dogs are not uncommon, but using simple, preventive tips can help stop ear infections from developing. Removing the vertical canal is relatively easy but removing large amounts of tissue from the horizontal canal is more complicated. It just attaches to whatevers there, dries it up, and everything falls out together., Pellitol ointment contains zinc oxide, calamine, bismuth subgalante, bismuth subnitrate, resorcinol, echinacea fluid extract, and juniper tar.