In this article on our site we are going to talk about external otitis in dogs, a relatively common disorder that, therefore,, it is likely that we will have to face as caregivers. Otitis is an inflammation of the external auditory canal that may or may not affect the tympanic membrane and may or may not be accompanied by infection. For its cure, it is essential to identify the cause that produces it, since, if it is not discovered or, directly, not treated, it could become chronic.
Symptoms of external otitis in dogs
As we have said, external otitis is inflammation of the external auditory canal, in its vertical and horizontal sections, which can affect the tympanic bulla. The symptoms will depend on the severity and are as follows:
- Auricular erythema, that is, redness inside the ear due to increased blood in the area.
- Mostly, head shaking and scratching.
- Pain in the area.
- If there is associated infection there will be secretion.
- In cases of chronic external otitis in dogs, otohematoma and even deafness can occur.
Causes of external otitis in dogs
The primary causes behind external otitis in dogs are the following:
- Parasites.
- Hypersensitivity mechanisms, such as atopic dermatitis and adverse reactions to food, ie both intolerance and true allergy. These mechanisms are the most common cause.
- Foreign bodies or trauma.
- Neoplasms or polyps that block the duct, although this cause is more common in cats.
- Keratinization disorders that dry the skin and are related to endocrine diseases such as hypothyroidism.
- Finally, autoimmune diseases may also be behind canine otitis externa.
Other factors in external otitis in dogs
Although they are not directly responsible for external otitis in dogs, there are other elements that contribute to establishing, aggravating or perpetuating the condition. They are as follows:
- Predisposing causes: although they are not enough to trigger external otitis, they will facilitate its establishment. Among them are the pendulum shape of the ears of some dogs such as cockers, which makes ventilation of the duct difficult, ear canals with a lot of hair like those of poodles or very narrow like those of shar peis. Also consider canal moisture in dogs that swim or bathe frequently.
- Secondary causes: these are the ones that will aggravate external otitis over time. Even if they are cured, if the primary cause is not treated, the condition will not be resolved definitively. These are infections caused by bacteria or fungi, which is the case of external otitis in dogs by Malassezia
- Perpetuating factors: are those that physically impede medical treatment such as hyperplasias, calcifications or stenosis. Only surgery could be used. The chronification of external otitis, that is, not treating it, can cause this damage and otitis media, in which the tympanic membrane is damaged or absent and that, in turn, it can cause otitis interna We see, then, the importance of early treatment of acute external otitis in dogs.
It is important to know that pulling out the hairs in the ear canal does not prevent the onset of otitis and may even predispose to suffering from it.
Diagnosis of external otitis in dogs
In order to diagnose external otitis in dogs, it is necessary to assess the state of the tympanic membrane, which is doneby otoscopic examination The problem is that in suppurative external otitis in dogs the eardrum will not be visible, so it will be necessary to resort to flushing or auricular lavage which, in addition, allows rule out the presence of masses or foreign bodies, the appearance of any pathological change in the duct and also favors the effect of local treatment. Requires general anesthesia because material could pass into the nasopharynx, which could lead to aspiration pneumonia.
Treatment of external otitis in dogs
The treatment, which should always be prescribed by the veterinarian after the otoscopic examination and cytology, if applicable, is aimed at controlling the inflammation of the ductand to remove infections if any. For this, preference is given to local medication, that is, applied directly to the duct, since it will have a lower risk of side effects than systemic treatment and will be more concentrated.
The exception to the above treatment is dogs with lesions in the duct or in which topical treatment is not possible. The vet has to check the ear at 7-15 days to see if the healing has been complete. In addition, the primary cause must be treated and predisposing or perpetuating factors corrected.
