Inflamed ear in a German Shepherd. Otitis in dogs. Causes, symptoms, treatment. A dog has otitis media - what should the owner do?

Otitis in dogs is a fairly common occurrence and experienced owners know about him firsthand.

Otitis is an inflammation of the ear that causes discomfort and severe pain. It occurs in both humans and animals, and in the latter it is an order of magnitude more common. Despite its prevalence, it is quite serious illness, requiring high-quality and timely treatment.

Causes of otitis media in dogs

There can be many reasons, but these are the most common.

Ear mite

Fungal otitis in dogs

Pathogenic bacteria and fungi may be present in a dog’s body, but they can cause disease only with reduced immunity or hypothermia, that is, in a dog, to put it in simple language, can “blow out”.

Allergic otitis media in dogs

Otitis occurs when food allergies– unbalanced diet, poor quality feed and abuse of sweets. At hormonal imbalance, for example in case of malfunctions thyroid gland or when long-term use hormones. At the same time, it stands out a large number of earwax- a breeding ground for bacteria.

Trauma or foreign body

While walking, your dog may get sand, insects, or plant seeds into his ear. These factors can provoke injury to the auricle and, as a result, inflammation. After a fight, ear injuries are common, which in turn can become inflamed without proper care.

Symptoms of otitis media in dogs

Since otitis is an insidious and dangerous disease, every owner must observe the behavior of his dog in order to take everything in time necessary measures. Usually, inflammatory processes accompanied vivid symptoms and sudden changes in behavior. Usually, if an animal is bothered by something, it begins to touch, scratch and lick the sore spot. This becomes a good clue to determine what exactly the dog is suffering from.

Otitis or ear inflammation is of two types.

Otitis externa in dogs

It affects the area from ear canal before eardrum. With this disease, the pet begins to scratch its ears, roll its head on the floor and rub against foreign objects. In addition, purulent and serous discharge with a characteristic odor.

Internal otitis in dogs

It begins when the infection gets behind the eardrum. Inflammation may occur with purulent discharge and without. The dog begins to shake its head, stumble, spin in circles and lose its sense of balance.

If the cause lies in allergies, then the ears may also be affected. skin on the belly and paws. In this case, the dog experiences severe itching.

With all types of otitis, the dog becomes lethargic, eats poorly and reacts painfully to touching the head, and the temperature often rises. The inside of the ear becomes red, swollen, and hot to the touch. A discharge with a characteristic unpleasant odor may appear from the ear.

If symptoms appear, you should immediately go to the doctor. It would be a good idea to remember what the dog ate, whether the dog took walks in cold weather, and how long ago ear mite prevention was carried out. All this will help in making a diagnosis.

Treatment of otitis media in dogs

Inflammatory processes in the ears are a very serious disease and should only be treated by a doctor. The owner is required to contact a specialist as quickly as possible; a timely diagnosis is a guarantee of recovery.

To assign effective treatment, the veterinarian will first examine and swab the ear. The doctor examines the smear under a microscope. Using different methods staining, the doctor can determine the presence of bacteria, or fungal spores or ear mites in the smear. To study the problem in more detail, the doctor may prescribe a clinical (general) blood test. Then, depending on the cause of the otitis media, the dog is prescribed medications and procedures. Depending on the severity of the disease, the dog may stay in the hospital or go home and be treated on an outpatient basis.

As a rule, it is carried out external treatment auricle from visible discharge. How to treat otitis media in dogs veterinarian As a rule, treatment consists of using local funds for treating the ear (otitis drops for dogs) and systemic medications (for example, antibiotics).

Upon diagnosis allergic otitis media, the doctor selects therapeutic diet and appoints systemic drugs to reduce an allergic reaction. In some cases, it is necessary to donate blood for allergens.

If an ear mite has been detected and the owner has several pets, all animals must be treated.

Why is otitis media dangerous in dogs?

Otitis media is not a fatal disease, but it is still better to start treating it as soon as possible. You can get help at any veterinary clinic. At timely treatment Ear inflammation goes away quite quickly, but like any inflammation it can cause complications. So, otitis externa can go to chronic form and torment the dog regularly. Besides, purulent inflammation may pass into the nasal cavity and others neighboring organs, causing meningitis, rhinitis, eye inflammation and other diseases. Then the pet will have a particularly hard time. In some cases, otitis media causes changes in the ear cartilage, narrowing auditory canal. In this case it is necessary surgical intervention. If the disease is neglected, the dog may lose hearing.

Disease prevention

Persistent otitis, as mentioned above, can lead to rather sad consequences.

Owners of dogs with floppy ears should be especially vigilant. Because of this form, ventilation worsens and creates all the conditions for the development of infection. East European Shepherds are also at risk. These dogs have too wide ear canals, which can easily get dirt into them. Frequent otitis media Dogs with excess folds are also susceptible. It happens that the skin and cartilage grow and prevent air from entering the ear. This problem can be solved by plastic surgery.

It is very important not only to consult a veterinarian in time, but to take preventive measures. So, you need to make sure that water does not get into your ears, promptly clean the ear canals from wax and dust, and cut off too thick hair. This should be done extremely delicately so as not to injure the dog. In wet, cold and windy weather, a dog with chronic otitis media you must wear a cap.

Very often dogs become infected ear mites from cats, so it is important to avoid contact with stray animals.

If your dog has suffered from otitis media at least once, it would be a good idea to show it to the veterinarian once a year, while following all the recommendations.

In conclusion, it should be said that in any situation there is no need to panic. If you notice changes in your animal's behavior, contact a specialist. Tell us in as much detail as possible when it all started, what the dog eats, and whether there are other animals at home. Based on your story, the doctor will suggest necessary research and develop a treatment plan. By following the recommendations of a specialist, you are for short time get healthy cheerful animals.

Due to the specific structure of the ear, dogs are often susceptible to otitis media. Inflammation of the middle ear in dogs is often diagnosed; internal and external are less common.

The disease causes discomfort and severe pain to the pet. A visit to the veterinarian will help free the dog from uncomfortable sensations and prevent it from developing into a chronic form. An advanced disease can develop into complete deafness and provoke the death of a pet.

Root causes of otitis media

Otitis in a dog occurs for several reasons:

Ear mites are a common cause of ear inflammation in dogs. Infection is possible from infected animals.
A tumor becomes a provocateur of otitis media if it clogs the ear canal and interferes with the “ventilation” of the ear.
Allergies to food, treats, medications and shampoo can lead to ear disease in your dog.
A foreign object lodged in the ear. Often plant seeds, midges or blades of grass get into the ear, thereby causing otitis media in the dog.

The disease often develops due to insufficient care of the pet’s ears, but it also happens the other way around: excessive cleaning of the ears leads to the destruction of the protective layer, sebum and wax secretions.

The reason may also be weak immunity, bad teeth and hormonal imbalance.

Predisposition of certain breeds to otitis media

Some breeds are more prone to this disease. Most often - dogs with large drooping ears: cocker spaniel, basset hound, dachshund and others. Drooping ears obscure the auditory opening and interfere with “ventilation,” which creates a “paradise” for the reproduction and life of pathogenic microbes.

East European Shepherds also often suffer from this disease. The structure of the ear does not prevent the penetration of dust and microorganisms into it.

Dogs with expressive folds on the muzzle, active swimmers, and those who live in high humidity climates are also at risk.

Symptoms

The owner can easily recognize the first symptoms of otitis media in a dog:

often shakes his head, scratches with his claws sore ear and reacts to touching him;
upon examination, discharge with an uncharacteristic odor and swelling are noticeable;
the ear is hot to the touch;
The dog lies down more and turns away from the food.

If you notice such symptoms, you should consult a doctor.

Diagnostics

During the examination, the doctor visually assesses the signs of otitis in the dog: condition ears, nasopharynx, mouth and eyes. At the same time, asking questions about feeding, vaccinations and existing pathologies.

In some cases, radiography is used. This happens if the research is not informative enough. It shows the presence or absence of tumors and polyps in the nasopharynx. It is also possible to conduct a CT or MRI to exclude the possibility of brain inflammation. Some manipulations can be performed under general anesthesia.

Therapy is prescribed only based on test results. A specialist should tell you how to cure otitis media in a dog. Otherwise, the treatment will not bring results and will worsen the situation.

Types of otitis media and their features

Depending on the causes of infection, otitis media transforms into different shapes with dissimilar symptoms.

Purulent

Purulent otitis in dogs is expressed by discharge from the ears of a yellow-green substance with a sickly-sweet odor. If treatment is not treated in time, weeping ulcers form and the likelihood of damage to the integrity of the eardrum increases, which inevitably leads to deafness.

Chronic

This form of the disease is caused by staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria. An animal with such a diagnosis needs careful and long-term treatment.

Otomycosis

So, they call fungal otitis media in dogs. Its development occurs for many reasons - reduced immunity, allergic reactions, various infections. Most often this secondary disease, which manifested itself as a result improper treatment other forms. The ear becomes red and hot, observed increased secretion sulfur and unpleasant sour smell. In the absence of therapy, the fungus spreads to the entire epithelium.

Bacterial

The development of otitis media in dogs occurs in a similar way to fungal infections. But spread over the entire surface of the skin occurs less frequently. Such otitis may be a complication after viral infection- plague or enteritis. Accompanied constant itching and discharge of pus.

Allergic

It is impossible to diagnose allergic otitis in dogs by eye; it can have symptoms of all available forms. The culprits are often food, shampoos, even household chemicals and plant pollen.

Traumatic

The cause may be a blow to the head, injuries after a fight, scratches and debris in the ear canal. When the wound becomes inflamed, pathological bacteria begin to multiply, which causes ear inflammation in the dog, treatment should begin as early as possible.

Seasonal

In slushy weather, the dog's ears show increased content sulfur, which leads to the transformation of sulfur seals and the development of a bacterial infection against this background.

Treatment at home

If otitis media is detected in dogs, how to treat it at home? At first, you can alleviate your pet’s condition at home.

As home measures you can use:

If there is severe scratching, the inner surface of the ear is wiped with hydrogen peroxide and carefully dried. gauze bandage. Scratches are lubricated with brilliant green.
If pus has accumulated and the ear “squishes”, you should carefully clean it boric alcohol, blot dry and cover with streptocide powder.
Dark plaque can be caused by mites. In this case, the auricle is freed from wax accumulations and lubricated with phenothiazine.

Manipulations should be carried out extremely carefully so as not to cause irritation in the affected areas.

remember, that self-treatment otitis in a dog can lead to serious complications. Therefore, contacting a veterinarian is an important step.

Drops for otitis media

For complex treatment fungal otitis Prescribe drugs based on miconazole, clotrimazole or nystatin.

The following anti-otitis drops for dogs are recommended for use:

Treatment for suppurative otitis media in dogs is best done with antibiotic ear drops for dogs.

For example:

Otibiovet- 4-5 drops. At the beginning of the development of the disease 3-4 times a day, after 3 days 2-3 times.
Otipax- 4 drops, apply 2-3 times a day for ten days.
Anandin, here the dose depends on the size of the pet. For dwarfs, 3 drops are enough, for average ones - 4, and large breeds you will need 5 drops. The medicine is used for 3-4 days twice a day. It is required to repeat the course in a week, unless otherwise prescribed by your doctor.

Leopard- 3 drops for dwarfs, 4 for medium and 5 - large dogs. Treatment is carried out twice with an interval of a week.
Amitrazine applied once a day with an interval of 3 days. The procedure must be carried out until the signs disappear.

Otitis resulting from injury is treated with drugs that promote wound healing:

Otopedin. Because these ear drops Quite toxic for dogs, ears are treated once a week with 2-3 drops. After manipulation, the ears are fixed open for twenty minutes.
Aurikan it is necessary to drip 5 drops for small dogs, 10-15 for medium-sized dogs, and 20 to 30 drops for large dogs. The drug is used daily for a week, then twice a week for another 25-30 days.

To make ear drops for dogs more effective, you need to follow some rules:

Before the procedure, clean your pet’s ears;
Warm the drops in the palm of your hand before use;
when instilling, you need to pull the ear towards the spine, then press and massage a little.

Treatment with medications

Let's look at several effective schemes for treating otitis media in a dog. The proposed life examples will help you navigate and build correct treatment your pet.

Option 1

Patient: large dog, weight 40 kg, age 4 years. Owner's complaints: does not allow petting on the head, the dog's ear hurts. Diagnosis: exudative otitis externa.

Local processing:

Hydrogen peroxide. Using a damp swab, wipe the inside of the ear and the passage. Cleansing from crusts, pus and excess sulfur.
Chlorhexidine. Wipe the ear treated with peroxide twice a day for half a month.
Bepanten. Apply the ointment to the inside of the ear 2 times every 24 hours, for a course of two weeks. In severe situations, it is allowed to use Fluorocort or Lorinden.
Sofradex - inject 3-5 drops into both ears twice a day for 14 days.

Parallel treatment:

Sinulox or Clamoxil. Inject into the thigh once in the morning, 5-7 days, 4 ml.
Suprastin. In the withers - inject 1 ml in the morning and evening - a weekly course.
Serrata. It is necessary to inject 1 pill twice with an interval of 12 hours - 10 days.

Option 2

Patient: male, age - 7 years, weight - 12 kg. Owner's complaints: the dog is restless, his ear is leaking. Diagnosis: purulent otitis media in the chronic stage.

In a difficult situation, the following mixture of drops is acceptable:

Ceftriaxone 1 bottle + Dioxidin 10 ml + 5 ml Novocaine 0.5% + Suprastin 2 ml + Dexomethasone 3 ml + vitamin B12 2 ml + Dimexide 0.5-1 ml. This suspension should be administered 3-5 drops into both ears with a 12-hour interval. The course of treatment lasts 14 days.

At night, you need to apply a gauze swab soaked in the mixture: 2 ml of Lincomycin, 1 ml of Dexamethasone, Suprastin 1 ml and Novocaine 2% 3 ml. Treatment should continue for 10 nights.

A blockade with novocaine at the root of the ear may also be useful. For this, novocaine 05% is used, 7 ml twice a day. Treatment period is 1 week.

Antibiotics for otitis in dogs should be taken with caution, for example, if the eardrum is damaged, drops containing an ototoxic antibiotic are contraindicated.

Preventive measures

In order not to wonder how to treat otitis in a dog, you should carefully monitor your pet.

For prevention purposes, the following measures should be taken:

regular examination of the dog's ears;
cleaning when dirty;
plucking fur from the ear;
Never rinse the ears of a healthy animal, this increases humidity in the ear;
in slush and frost, pets with chronic otitis media should wear a hat;
visit the veterinary office at least 2 times a year for a preventive examination.

We wish your pet a speedy recovery.

Video

In our video, a veterinarian tells and shows how to properly clean a dog's ears.

When we hear the word “ear,” we are accustomed to actually imagining only the outer part of it, but the ear is the whole system, disorders in which can lead to destabilization of the entire organism. This is also true for dogs. Dog ears require regular and full care. The dog's ear canal is divided into horizontal and vertical (see photo below), which makes it difficult for debris and dirt to escape. Earwax, dead skin, and other debris feed the bacteria and fungi living in the ear canal. If you overfeed, microorganisms will begin to multiply rapidly, leading to an ear infection.

The most common ear infection is otitis externa. Inflammation of the external auditory canal and ear canal is called otitis externa. Otitis externa is the most common manifestation of allergies in dogs. Among them, breeds with drooping ears should be especially highlighted. They restrict air flow to the outer ear, creating a warm, moist environment ideal for the development of various microorganisms.

Symptoms of ear problems

It is usually not difficult to notice the symptoms of otitis media and ear infections, because they affect the outer ear and also cause unbearable discomfort for your pet. Among all, we highlight the main ones:

Scratches on the head or ears;
Constant shaking of the head;
Unpleasant odor;
Excess earwax;
Pus or other discharge from the ears;
Redness and inflammation in the ears;
Hair loss, possibly scabs around the ears;
Painful sensations around the ears;
Changes in the dog's behavior.

Causes of ear disease

The most common cause of inflammation of the outer ear is allergies. Ear problems are often the first sign allergic reactions. With an allergy, the environment in the ear changes and bacteria and yeast begin to develop. Allergic otitis media is quite difficult to treat, since in such cases treatment of otitis media alone will not help positive result, the symptoms will return again and again. Allergic otitis media begins to be treated with the elimination of allergy manifestations.

As stated above, ear infections also lead to various ear disorders. At normal conditions There are many microorganisms in a dog's ears - numerous types of bacteria and yeast (fungi). Any changes in the state of the body can lead to an increase in their number and a decrease in the body’s resistance to them. The most common fungus that lives in the ear canals and on the dog's skin is yeast or malasseziapachydermatis (see photo of this fungus under a microscope below). Whenever favorable conditions This fungus causes itching and irritation to grow, and is often accompanied by bacterial infections, which may even include antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

At yeast fungus a brown, waxy exudate and bad smell, with a bacterial infection - also an unpleasant odor but a more yellow exudate. This is how the so-called acute purulent otitis media. The type of infection is determined by examining ear exudate under a microscope. Bacterial infection Treat with antibiotics; fungicides are used for fungal infections.

Ear diseases can also be caused by foreign bodies. Small particles of plants, debris, cling to our clothes and dog hair, may also fall into ear canal. Their presence causes irritation, your pet begins to scratch himself, and before you notice any problems, the dog’s ear canal is already injured and inflamed. Regularly checking your dog's ears will minimize the risk of foreign bodies getting into the ear canal.

Ear injuries should be highlighted separately as a cause of disease. As stated above, the dog can inflict them on himself, increasing inflammation and adding additional infections.

Various hormonal imbalances can contribute to deterioration of skin health, including the ears, which can also cause inflammation.

There are also other causes of ear disease, including rare hereditary diseases in some dog breeds, as well as cancerous tumors or melanoma.

Diagnosis and treatment of otitis

Before treating the ears, it is necessary to establish correct diagnosis. Of course, only a veterinarian can help do this. Therefore, at the first symptoms of otitis media, do not rush to buy the first medicine you come across.

On early stages Treatment of otitis begins with professional ear cleaning; later, they can be treated at home. For minor inflammation, disinfection and rinsing of the outer ear is used.

For allergic otitis media, daily ear cleaning is usually prescribed along with medications and food additives fatty acids.

Only a doctor will do a complete examination of the ear. To do this, veterinarians use an otoscope (see photo below). This helps to identify foreign bodies and examine the ears in hard-to-reach places. In some cases, it is necessary to rinse the ear canal as a sedative in order to clearly see the eardrum, first of all, whether there is any mechanical damage to it.

If otitis externa is secondary to another cause, you will need to undergo a series of tests to detect it. Among them may be:

Blood analysis;
Food tests - to identify food allergies;
Determining if your dog has a flea allergy;
Analyzes for skin diseases, including fungal infections skin, etc.

When identifying primary disease the veterinarian also prescribes symptomatic treatment, in our case, this is the treatment of otitis media.

Don't underestimate ear infections. Some of them in difficult cases capable of bringing your pet to the operating table, and also making it a hostage medical supplies until the end of life.

Ear cleaning

As mentioned above, the structure of a dog’s ear makes it somewhat difficult for dirt to come out. The photo shows that earwax and debris that gets into the ears need to rise up the vertical part of the ear canal. And for any ear disease, cleaning is the first action you should take. The purpose of cleaning is to remove any by-products infections, which lead to further irritation and discomfort, as well as the development of infection. If you have an ear infection, you need to clean your ears daily to prevent dirt buildup and keep the infection under control.

The cleaning procedure can be divided into several stages:

Before cleaning your ears, lightly massage the base of your ears for 20-30 seconds. This will soften and release any dirt that has collected inside.
You can use liquids to clean your ears: disinfectants, softeners, etc. Caution cotton swab or cotton swab wipe your ears, repeat the procedure until your ears are clean.
Have your dog rub his head to remove any remaining fluid.
Gently wipe the area around your ear with a towel.

Depending on the condition of your dog's ears, your veterinarian may recommend a cleaning procedure up to 2 times a day. When cleaning your ear, do not try to go deep into the ear canal. You can only do harm by pushing dirt inside.

In some cases, due to pain, the only way to clean a dog’s ears is under anesthesia. It also often happens that the dog does not like the cleaning procedure. Try to talk to him while brushing and, of course, do not forget about treats as a reward for good behavior.

After cleaning your ear, give it time to dry. In the future in clean ears You can use medications, usually ear drops or ointments, which need to be instilled 1-2 times a day for 1-2 weeks.

Prevention of canine otitis media

The key to ear health is, as always, prevention and proper care. You need to clean your ears every week. A little earwax in a dog's ear is normal occurrence. If your pet loves to swim, has drooping ears, or has had any previous ear problems, cleaning should be done more often.

If the fur around the ears can create good conditions for the proliferation of microorganisms, you can fix it from time to time and still ventilate the ear canals.

Remember that if you see any symptoms of otitis media, do not delay in contacting your doctor. If your dog has a ruptured or weakened eardrum, some ear cleaners and medications may cause even more harm.

Ear inflammation or otitis in dogs is one of the most frequent occasions visits to the clinic. Chronic and acute otitis undermine immunity and general health favorites. The dog becomes irritable, sometimes even disobedient and nervous due to constant pain. IN severe case the pet may die. What is otitis media like and how to notice this disease in time?

- This is an inflammation of the part of the ear that ends at the eardrum. This is the easiest type of otitis, because... not affected hearing aid. The disease can be easily treated if the cause of the disease is correctly identified and therapy is started on time. If you delay a visit to the veterinarian, perforation (rupture) of the membrane is possible and inflammation can spread to the middle section.

Otitis media - most common species this disease. In the middle section are located auditory ossicles(hammer, incus and stapes), so severe damage can lead to hearing impairment or loss. The infection enters the middle ear from the outer part, from the nasopharynx (bad teeth, virus) or through the bloodstream. a dog that is not treated may progress to inner ear. Therefore, you cannot delay visiting a doctor, you cannot rely on self-healing, advice from friends, etc.

Internal otitis It is rare, but very dangerous. If treatment is delayed, the pet may become completely deaf and even die due to inflammation spreading from the ear to meninges. Besides common symptoms, at internal otitis possible dizziness, vomiting, drooling, strange movements of the paws or head - the dog loses orientation in space (the vestibular apparatus is located in the internal section).

Ear otitis in dogs can be purulent, exudative (sulfur discharge) and catarrhal, acute and chronic. More often than others, pets with very wide or narrowed ears suffer from otitis media. ear canal. Drooping ears, especially when pressed tightly to the head, block access air flow to the ears, which is why the inside of the ear canal is constantly warm and humid - a paradise for bacteria.

Otitis often develops due to insufficient or excessive care of the pet's ears ( dirty ears or cleaned to a shine, without a protective layer sebum and sulfur). The reasons may not be directly related to the ears - low immunity, exhaustion, constant hypothermia and sleeping in a draft/cold floor, hormonal fluctuations, bad teeth.

Allergic otitis media

It is impossible to determine allergic otitis media by eye - red, combed ears in dogs, thick discharge, a head tilted to the side, intolerance to touch. The pet is in pain, he shakes his head, tears his ears with his claws. These same symptoms may indicate any other type of otitis media. But for allergies, standard therapy is ineffective, so the veterinarian must monitor the treatment process.

A dog’s ears are a fairly sensitive “locator”. Although it is generally accepted that main body The senses of dogs are the nose, but many animals do not have any special problems with hearing. Until some pathology affects their ears. Here, for example, is otitis media. In dogs, the disease is quite dangerous, as it can lead to deafness, or even something worse.

- ear infection. Otitis media, accordingly, implies damage to the middle ear. The pathology is dangerous because the source of inflammation is too close to the eardrum and brain. If the inflammation progresses to purulent form, abundantly released exudate may well melt delicate tissues, leading to similar, unpleasant consequences. What causes otitis media?

There are some predisposing factors that significantly increase the risk of developing pathology. So, in dogs with folded skin and long ears, the incidence of inflammation is much higher. In addition, especially shaggy dogs are not too lucky. If you are the owner of such a pet, pay as much attention as possible to its hygiene - too thick hair around the ears should be trimmed regularly, and the ear canals should be kept free of excess wax and other secretions.

Sometimes the cause of otitis media is “treatment” at home for injuries and other pathologies. Owners do not always have even a basic understanding of veterinary medicine, as a result of which they can make very gross mistakes. Don't take risks, better show your pet to a professional veterinarian!

Read also: Addison's disease - detailed review diseases in dogs

The next predisposing factor is poor nutrition . If there is an acute lack of vitamins A and E in an animal’s diet, the skin becomes more vulnerable to the action of pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microflora, such as mites. A similar effect occurs when the dog’s food contains very little fat: both carotene and tocopherol are fat-soluble compounds; without the proper amount of lipids, they are not absorbed by the body.

Another reason - bad heredity. It refers to various cases hereditarily transmitted autoimmune diseases. In these situations, inflammation of the middle ear in a dog occurs due to an inadequate reaction of its own protective forces body. It is very difficult to identify such ailments and fight them; the therapeutic course can drag on for years, and there are no guarantees of cure. So carefully select the breeders from whom you are going to buy puppies. The primary causes of the disease include the following:

Bacterial infections. A fairly common cause, otitis media is often secondary to an existing disease in the animal. If the pathogen manages to get into the blood, with its current it can easily end up anywhere in the dog’s body.

Fungi and yeast. The most insidious "malware". Many of these microorganisms are constantly present on the skin of completely healthy animals, partly even being symbionts. But as soon as the body “surrenders,” that is, comes under the influence of strong stress factors, or encounters severe disturbances in hormonal metabolism, mushrooms immediately begin to behave like dangerous pathogens.

Allergic reactions. As a result of their development, the normal environment inside the ear canal is also disrupted, which also contributes to the penetration and development of pathogenic microflora.