Otitis in Dogs – “Externa” & “Media”
Otitis is the inflammation of the external ear canal and the middle ear. Otitis externa refers to inflammation that occurs in the external ear canal and otitis media is an inflammation of the middle ear.
Often times, otitis media will occur as a result of untreated or improperly treated otitis externa. Otitis externa results when the glands lining the ear canal enlarge and produce excess wax. When this happens, the outer skin and the inner skin produce excessive fibrous tissue, narrowing the canal. This narrow canal can predispose to both bacterial and yeast infections of the ear. In turn, otitis media may result as an extension of the otitis externa, causing the membrane that separates the external ear canal and the middle ear to rupture.
Both otitis externa and otitis media can be caused by a number of things. Primary causes are parasites, allergies, drug reactions, foreign bodies, hair accumulation, dead skin buildup, and autoimmune diseases. However, many other factors may contribute, such as bacterial or fungal infections, changes in the dog’s environment, excessive moisture in the ear, and improper ear cleanings.
Both types of otitis can affect cats also, but they’re more common in dogs. Any age and breed can be affected, but long-eared dogs, such as spaniels, retrievers, and bassets, and dogs with excessive hair in the external ear canals, such as terriers and poodles, are more susceptible.
Common symptoms of otitis externa include pain, head shaking, excessive scratching at the ears, redness and swelling of the inner ear, and a bad odour. Otitis media may show these same symptoms as well as more severe ones, such as tilting of the head, uncoordination, anorexia, and occasional vomiting.
Otitis can be diagnosed in several ways. A veterinarian can typically diagnose this condition with the examination of the ear using an otoscope. Microscopic examination of the ear discharge is also an effective diagnostic tool. Other ways may include skin scrapings and skin biopsies, both of which may help to narrow down an underlying cause of the inflammation such as parasites or allergies. Very severe cases may require an x-ray or MRI to determine the extent of the damage to the deeper structures of the ear.
Treatment for otitis externa and otitis media typically involves outpatient care, unless the inflammation or infection has moved into the inner ear; then that is a whole new ballgame! In most cases, both conditions can be treated by a thorough cleansing of the external and middle ear followed by the use of a topical medication. The type of topical medication may be determined by whatever your veterinarian deems the cause of the otitis, often based on the swabs taken from the ear. These may consist of antibacterials, corticosteroids, anti-yeast, or antiseptic drops. In severe cases, oral antibiotics or antifungals may be prescribed as well. It is very important to allow your veterinarian to determine the type of medication to be used and the duration of treatment. Often times, owners of pets with recurring ear infections will keep ear drops, ointments, or even antibiotics on hand at home and administer themselves instead of seeking veterinary advice. Giving the wrong medication can be detrimental to your pet’s health. Mistreatment may lead to deafness, facial nerve paralysis, or otitis interna. Another fear is that your pet will build up a resistance to these medications, making them useless, and promote the growth of resistant bacteria. ALWAYS seek veterinary counsel before administering ANY kind of medication to your pet.
Follow-up treatments for otitis externa and media may involve repeat examinations of the outer and inner ear, as well as control of any underlying conditions. If your pet is prone to reoccurence of these infections, have a veterinarian or a technician show you how to properly clean the ears and what signs to look for so as to avoid them as well as possible. A healthy pet is a happy pet!