How to treat otitis externa in dogs. Fungal otitis in dogs: symptoms and treatment of inflammation. How and how to treat purulent otitis in dogs, antibiotics, what drops, treatment drugs, tablets, human medicines and cost, where to buy

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, claws at the sore ear and reacts to touching it;
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: the condition of the 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 forms with different 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 is a secondary disease that manifests itself as a result of improper treatment of other forms. The ear becomes red and hot, there is increased production of wax and an 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 a viral infection - plague or enteritis. Accompanied by 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 with a 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 the complex treatment of fungal otitis, drugs are prescribed that include miconazole, clotrimazole or nystatin.

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

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

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. Dwarf breeds need 3 drops, medium breeds need 4 drops, and large breeds 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 dwarf dogs, 4 for medium-sized dogs and 5 for 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. Since these ear drops for dogs are quite toxic, the 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 drops for medium 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 the right treatment for 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.

An inflammatory process in the ear, or otitis media in other words, can cause discomfort not only to humans. Pets very often suffer from this disease, and for their acute hearing and delicate surfaces of the auricle, this is a rather difficult test. If a dog's ears become dirty very quickly, they will emit bad smell If the animal shakes its head very often and tries to comb its ears, then you should take your pet to the veterinarian. More likely, we're talking about specifically about otitis in a dog.

Otitis in a dog photo

There are several classifications of the disease. By location infectious process Otitis is divided into:

External - inflammation affects the external auditory canal, located between the inlet and the surface of the eardrum.
Medium - the inflammatory process penetrates deep into the eardrum. Often accompanied by suppuration - this form of the disease is called purulent otitis media. In advanced or complicated forms of otitis, inflammation of the outer and middle ear often occurs.
Internal - a severe form of the disease, the lesion is localized in the inner ear and very often causes various kinds complications.

Depending on the cause of the disease, the following types are distinguished:

Primary otitis media occurs as an independent disease and occurs without associated diseases.
Secondary otitis - inflammation is a complication of a dermatological disease. Most often, this type of otitis appears against the background of atopic dermatosis, autoimmune diseases, damage to the adrenal glands or thyroid gland.

There is a classification based on the causative agent of the disease:

Chronic otitis is a complex inflammation that requires consultation with a specialist. It is provoked by streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli.
Fungal otitis media (otomycosis) – fungal bacteria mix with earwax and begin to multiply intensively, causing inflammation.
Bacterial otitis – pathogenic bacteria often cause the development of otitis, and either one or both ears can be affected.
Allergic otitis media develops as a result of allergies or hormonal imbalances.

Risk group

Predisposing factors include hereditary predisposition and thallium intoxication. There is a connection between breeds and the development of otitis media, since the disease and its course are associated with the structure of the auricle.

Most often, inflammation develops in owners of long, hanging ears, which are hidden from natural ventilation and are an ideal “breeding ground” for development and reproduction. pathogenic microorganisms. Among breeds with similar problem spaniels and poodles can be noted.

But not only those with such ears can suffer from otitis media. Pets with very open ear canals, such as East European Shepherds, are also victims of frequent inflammation. Their hearing organ is not protected from the penetration of pathogenic bacteria.

Why does otitis media develop in dogs?

The primary form of the disease can appear after hypothermia, injury to the animal, due to malnutrition or infection with helminths. There can be many reasons, and if the pet’s immunity is reduced and cannot resist, then the disease affects the dog’s ears.

If we are talking about infectious agent, then most often they are streptococcus or staphylococcus, developing in a weakened animal’s body.

Signs of otitis media in dogs

The clinical picture of the disease is as follows:

the pet is restless, as he feels pain in the ear and itching;
purulent exudate flows from the ear, which has a nauseating odor; the discharge may contain an admixture of blood;
the pet often tilts its head and shakes its ears;
the ear canal turns red;
the ear becomes hot to the touch, this increases the temperature in the affected area;
tissue swelling occurs in the ear;
you can feel the enlarged The lymph nodes from the side of the inflamed organ;
in a pet;
the dog is lethargic, does not find a place for itself, and may spin in the direction of the inflamed ear.

During severe forms of otitis in dogs, it is possible following symptoms and complications:

hearing loss;
development of strabismus;
the dog has difficulty eating - it is difficult to chew due to pain;
discharge of exudate from the eyes.

Diagnosing the disease in dogs

Making a correct, timely diagnosis is half the road to recovery. Veterinarians warn owners not to ignore the pet’s condition and not to treat the disease themselves.

Therapy for otitis media in dogs

Considering the variety of forms and types of the disease, it is difficult not to guess that there is no single treatment for otitis media in dogs. Each variety requires an individual approach:

Purulent otitis - antibiotic therapy is mandatory; the affected ears are treated with chlorhexidine and hydrogen peroxide.
Chronic otitis media involves the use of antibiotics, dexamethasone compresses are recommended. Candibiotic drops are also prescribed - a remedy that fights fungi and pathogenic bacteria.
Fungal otitis - the drug Gaselan 2% is used, the ear is regularly treated with the solution phosphoric acid.
Bacterial otitis - for treatment, complex drugs are used that have antifungal and antibacterial effects, for example, the drug in the form of spray drops Surolan.
Allergic form of otitis - includes a three-month strict period; antipruritic drops are prescribed to eliminate itching. If the allergy is of a constant seasonal nature, you can use antihistamines prescribed by your veterinarian.

The most common antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drugs include the following:

Otibiovin;
Otipax;
Otofenarol;
Normax.

For local treatment, camphor oil, aversectin ointment, Dekta are used, and for tick-borne infestations, Amit ointment is used.

To enhance and maintain the immune system, a course of Ascorutin, Vitam, Gamavit and other vitamin preparations is prescribed.

Otipax and Framycetin ear drops have excellent anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.

Treatment of otitis media in dogs at home

hydrogen peroxide;
Vaseline oil;
saline solution.

You can also purchase special lotions for cleaning the animal’s ears for these purposes. If the disease has developed to a late stage and crusts have formed in the pet’s ears, hydrogen peroxide will help remove them.

Pet owners need to know that ear inflammation is quite difficult to treat, especially in protracted, severe forms. Therefore, it is recommended to contact a veterinarian at the first signs of illness.

Example of otitis media on video:

Preventive measures

The owner must take care of the health of his pet, and therefore prevent the development of various types of diseases. Prevention of otitis involves the following:

the dog should not be allowed to become hypothermic;
after bathing, you need to remove excess water using a cotton swab;
It is worth carrying out regular hygiene procedures - daily inspection of the ears and cleaning a couple of times a week;
it is required to provide, if necessary, supplementing it with vitamin supplements;
the dog’s contact with other unfamiliar animals should be limited;
If possible, avoid injury to your pet and stressful situations.

Otitis media can cause the animal to become deaf, and, in addition, cause a number of irreversible consequences. To prevent this from happening, you should carefully monitor your beloved dog and not try to prescribe and carry out therapy yourself.

Otitis is an inflammation of the outer ear in dogs. Clinical signs. Causes of otitis. Prevention and treatment .

Inflammation of the external auditory canal ( Otitis externa ) is a fairly common diagnosis in the practice of treating dogs. The disease is based on various reasons, and therefore it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive history and a thorough general and local examination.

Etiological factors External otitis may include ear mites, foreign bodies (most often bristles, granules on one or both sides), tumors, wounds of the ear canal, for example, from a bite, as well as autoimmune diseases such as pemphigus and allergies, especially atopy and food allergies , and seborrhea and pyoderma.

Chronic atopic otitis in a dog,

Chronic otitis media, indicating inflammation of the ceruminal glands and erythema (redness) of the dog's ear

Damage to the vestibule of the auricle due to autoimmune disease(foliary pemphigus

Predisposing factors : narrow ear canal, severe ear growth (poodle, Cary Blue Terrier), maceration due to water exposure during bathing, pronounced folding on the head, and heavy, low-set long ears (cocker spaniel, American dachshund), and also unskilled cleaning and hair removal.

Towards supporting factors include infection of the external auditory canal due to the above-mentioned causes and predisposing factors. The most important pathogens are staphylococci and streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus, which also often occurs fungal infection. Most often we are talking about yeast fungi Malassezia pachidermatis (former name Pityrosporum canis ), less often about microsporosis and trichophytosis. Along with this, otitis externa is supported by obstructive processes (otohematomas, inflammatory changes) and otitis media.

Symptoms

Characteristic symptoms are pain and discharge of various types of secretions from the ear - serous fluid, pus, blood. The animal may shake its ears or tilt its head. Cats may flatten their ears. On examination, redness and swelling of the external auditory canal are noted. In severe cases, an increase in the submandibular lymph nodes on the affected side is observed.

With otitis media and internal otitis, there is pain when opening the mouth, difficulty chewing, deafness, there is discharge from the eyes, strabismus, the animal may twist towards the affected ear.

Examination. It is divided into an examination of the coat and entire skin to identify the main general skin disease and the actual examination of the ear. This must be done carefully, sparing the dog. In principle, both ears should be examined, even when only one appears to be affected. The severity of erythema and edema, the type of secretion, ulceration and the condition of the tympanic membrane provide important diagnostic and prognostic indications.

Diagnosis. For severely suppurating, ulcerated and all chronic mixed forms or in cases where treatment has already been carried out before, it is necessary, before using any drugs, to take a sample on a swab for bacteriological and mycological research (if possible, also determine resistance). The first external examination using an otoscope with an inserted funnel will provide information about the type and amount of ear secretion, which often allows us to draw conclusions about the pathogens. Ticks, if present, can be detected with a magnifying glass. Ticks Otodectes cynotis They look like white, rounded, rather mobile dots 1.5 mm long.

Based on clinical research, the following classification of otitis media is advisable:

Primary otitis externa occurs in the absence of other diseases.

Secondary otitis externa is part of the underlying skin disease:

Idiopathic otitis externa cannot be unambiguously attributed to either the first or second group.

Regardless of the type of otitis, the ear canal must be washed and kept clean: remove the enclosing hair either using an arterial clamp, or (only if the eardrum is intact) with a depilatory cosmetic cream, which must be applied for five minutes. Then rinse with a slightly soft warm solution, For example Otifree , with significant crust formation - 2% solution of salicyl-tannin alcohol, clean the passage with a cotton swab or, better yet, rinse with a syringe, which allows you to inject liquid with controlled pressure. A cotton swab can push a plug of secretion or a foreign body into the depths of the passage and injure the eardrum. If perforation of the eardrum is suspected, you can only use a lukewarm saline solution, or also a 0.5-1% solution of Chlorhexidine, for example Hibitane , or 2% acetic acid solution. Foreign bodies must be removed through the ear funnel using ear polyp forceps.

As a result of sanitation, good visibility of the external auditory canal should be ensured, with as little trauma as possible to assess the condition of the epidermis and eardrum. In primary otitis, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of the disease, for example, remove the foreign body, predisposing factors, such as severe growth, are corrected as far as possible, and supporting factors (infectious process) are treated. With secondary otitis, the goal of treatment is to eliminate the underlying disease, after which otitis externa often goes away on its own, or symptomatic local treatment is carried out.

For idiopathic otitis treatment is limited to eliminating predisposing factors and suppressing supporting factors.

The local treatment itself depends on the cause, the condition of the epidermis and the properties of the secretion:

External erythematous otitis. Redness of the ear canal, sometimes increased peeling of the epithelium, the initial stage of more severe forms. Anti-inflammatory drugs, e.g. Ciloprin.

External serous otitis. Increased selection earwax. If left untreated, crusts and plugs form, then develop bacterial infection. Treat with anti-earwax agents, e.g. Otifree followed by treatment with drops containing antibiotics and glucocorticoids, for example Otiprin /

External purulent otitis media. Develops from the forms described above. An oily, purulent, often foul-smelling secretion due to the colonization of bacteria and/or fungi. With prolonged illness, ulcerations of the mucous membrane form and there is a danger of perforation of the eardrum with infection entering the middle ear. You can treat, at your personal discretion, with a 0.1-1% solution of chlorhexidine, 5% povidone-iodine solution, 2% acetic acid solution, 3% hydrogen peroxide solution or solution EDTA - TRIS . If perforation of the eardrum is suspected, treat only with lukewarm saline solution. Follow-up treatment with antibiotics for 2-3 weeks wide range, according to the results of the antibiogram, and glucocorticoids, for example Otosporin and Gentaseptin , or antifungal drugs, For example, Fucidin and Pevet . In severe cases, especially if the middle ear is affected, systemic treatment with antibiotics, fungicides and glycocorticoids should also be carried out. If recovery does not occur after 4 weeks, the diagnosis should be checked and, if necessary, surgery.

External verrucous otitis media. The final stage of external otitis. Thickening of the folds of the auricle, warty formations in the ear canal, which leads to its narrowing, usually caused by fungi Malassezia or infection, often perforation of the eardrum. The operation is indicated.

Prevention

To prevent otitis, it is necessary to avoid the causes that can provoke it. Once a week, inspect and perform hygienic treatment of the ear canal.

Self-medication can be dangerous for animals, so an in-person examination and consultation with a doctor is required.

First aid for otitis: drip Sofradex, Ottinum or Ottipax into the ear. These drops will not cause harm and remove well painful sensations, itching.

If the dog has scratched the ear too much and crusts have formed, they can be carefully removed with a swab containing hydrogen peroxide and the wounds can be treated with a solution of brilliant green. A “squelching” ear can be carefully sprinkled with a powder consisting of one part streptocide and five parts boric acid. At elevated temperatures, you can give analgin: 0.5-1 tablets, depending on weight. And, of course, do not delay visiting the doctor.

Periodic inspection will save you from many problems. This is an effective preventative measure. Naturally, from childhood, the dog should be accustomed to both examination and cleaning of the ears.

For ear care there is big choice modern means: Wetzim drops, powder Ear powder "lines" 8 in 1" and many others. They should be used as needed, there is no need to wipe clean ears. Too zealous care leads to an imbalance in the microflora.

A dog that has had otitis media should be seen by the attending physician at least once a year. And following his recommendations during and after treatment is the best prevention of relapse.

Technology for treating otitis in dogs

A physical examination should examine the entire body, especially the skin and cranial nerves. Inspect the skin for damaged hair, saliva-stained areas, and erythematous patches. Look for signs of inflammation of the middle ear (facial palsy, Horner's syndrome, keratoconjunctivitis sicca) and signs of inflammation of the inner ear (head tilt, nystagmus, ataxia). Examine the oral cavity for soreness, which is often observed with developed inflammation of the middle ear, chronic inflammation or neoplasms. Examine the ears for tenderness, thickening, and calcification.

Exudative manifestations may vary depending on individual characteristics organism. Otitis caused by Pseudomonas and Proteus , manifested by pain and the release of a large amount of pale or light yellow secretion and ulceration of the epithelium.

Infection with staphylococcus is manifested by the release of exudate from yellowish-brown to gray. In case of tick-borne lesions, a large amount of brown crumbly exudate is released, and in case of yeast lesions, a yellowish-brown to brown exudate is released.

Cytological examination should be carried out for all types of otitis. To collect exudate from the vertical canal, use a dry cotton swab. The resulting material is mixed with mineral oil and examined at 40x or 100x magnification for the presence of mites. Then the second swab is rolled up on a glass slide, the smear is fixed by heating and stained according to Diff Quick , new methylene blue, Wright/Giemsa or Gram. Examine the smear under immersion at 1000x magnification for the presence of bacteria, yeast and inflammatory and epithelial cells. In a smear from an unaffected ear under immersion, individual bacterial or yeast cells can be detected. In dogs with otitis media, coccal forms, staphylococci or streptococci are usually found. Staphylococci usually occur in the form of diplococci (2 cells glued together).

Rods are usually Gr- ( Pseudomonas, Proteus , Escherichia coli). Malassezia pachydermatis – oval or peanut-shaped Gr+ yeast, which is usually found on a glass slide next to epithelial cells. Malassezia easier to detect by cytology than by culture. If yeast is detected during cytological examination, hypersensitivity can be considered the primary cause of otitis. If cytological examination reveals only rods, culture and antibiotic sensitivity testing should be performed.

Culture and sensitivity tests primarily help to establish the resistance of bacteria to the agents used for local therapy, especially if local antibiotic therapy has already been carried out and Gr bacilli are detected on cytology; or if you already have inflammation of the middle ear.

Radiography gives good results when examining patients with chronic otitis externa, if the physician cannot determine whether inflammation of the middle ear is present during physical examination; assess the extent of damage in the presence of inflammation of the middle ear; and determine the degree of calcification of the ear cartilages (an indicator for surgical intervention). Radiography may give a false negative result when diagnosing inflammation of the middle ear in 25% of patients. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance are more sensitive methods.

A biopsy is necessary to confirm the diagnosis of demodicosis if scraping and cytology give negative results or in the diagnosis of immunological diseases, allergies, adenitis of the sebaceous glands or neoplasms.

Other diagnostic tests include intradermal allergy tests; antibiotic tests for pyoderma; endocrine tests (eg, thyroid hormone levels); skin scraping for mites Demodex, sarcoptic mange, and Malassezia ; hypoallergenic diets; and cytology of pustules.

Cytological examination of ceruminal glands: yeast-like fungus (Malassezia pachidermatitis)

Measures for inflammation of the outer and middle ear.

The goal of measures for external otitis is to eliminate, prevent and control the primary factors; cleaning and drying the ears; reduction of inflammation; and preventing secondary infection.

Ear cleaning is necessary to remove any accumulated organic matter to facilitate examination and local therapy. The anesthetized animal is placed on its side. The canal is examined and hair or foreign bodies are removed with forceps. Fill the ear canal and cover the outer ear with the cleaning solution and massage the canal for 2 minutes, and the outer ear for 1 minute. Remove excess solution and organic accumulations with a cotton ball. Try not to use cotton swabs, which can injure the epithelium and drive organic accumulations further into the canal. The canal is flushed with warm water or sterile saline twice using a syringe with a balloon or a syringe and a feline catheter, then all fluid is aspirated using an 8 French red rubber catheter. Repeat the examination with an otoscope. If the eardrum is ruptured, the middle ear is cleaned (1% of patients may have short-term complications such as head tilt and nystagmus). Cleaning may not be effective or possible if the ears are severely stenotic or swollen. Systemic or topical administration of glucocorticoids or antibiotics may be necessary to relieve inflammation and swelling before final cleansing. It is necessary to continue local treatment after complete cleaning and drying of the canal (suction of fluid). To suppress Gr+ cocci, use neomycin, gentamicin or chloramphenicol. If Gr bacilli are detected during cytological examination, polymyxin, enrofloxacin, gentamicin or amikacin should be used. Enrofloxacin is used to treat a ruptured eardrum. If yeast is present, use clotrimazole or miconazole. You can also use a 2.5% solution of acetic acid or silver sulfadiazine (1 g of powder in 100 ml of water). Glucocorticoids are used topically to relieve inflammation. Dimethyl sulfoxide enhances the penetration of glucocorticoids such as fluocinolone, which reduces hyperplasia. Ototoxic substances should be avoided when using DMSO to enhance penetration and absorption of the substances. Owners should apply topical therapy 2-3 times daily, massaging the ears for 60 seconds after each application. To remove excess earwax, use special means to clean ears every 3-7 days.

Additional studies should be carried out every 2 weeks to monitor the dynamics of the process (whether there are improvements) and the patient's compliance with the regimen and treatment regimen, and to develop a long-term treatment plan. Cytological studies are necessary to further assess the response to treatment.

For example, if bacteria and yeast are absent, but inflammation continues, then the primary factors can be considered to be allergic otitis or otitis due to excessive sulfur production. If the bacteria persist despite appropriate local treatment, then we can talk about bacterial resistance to these drugs.

Specific therapy.

Earwax solvents are used to clean ears. They contain surfactants or emulsions that help dissolve sulfur plugs, soften them and help remove exudate. Water-soluble substances contain docusate (DSS ) or propylene glycol; mineral oil, lanolin and glycerin are not water-soluble substances. Urea peroxide softens wax plugs.

Cleansing/drying agent mixtures are water-soluble and contain wax solvents and drying agents such as alcohol and alpha hydroxy acids (lactic, salicylic, malic), which have moderate antibacterial and antifungal effects.

Owners should be instructed to clean the ear canal using special cleaners and massage the ear cartilage for 1-2 minutes, then remove any wax buildup or allow the dog to shake it out. Cleaners work more effectively if the liquid is left in the ear for 15-20 minutes. The use of cleaners is contraindicated in cases of perforation of the eardrum due to possible ototoxic effects.

Rinse solutions are used to remove wax build-up or organic build-up. The safest are water or sterile saline solution. Chlorhexidine, povidone iodine, xenodin and acetic acid can also be used.

Chlorhexidine (0.05%) is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent, has a long-lasting residual effect for 2 days and is not inactivated by organic substances. May be ototoxic, but in one study no ototoxic effects were observed after 21 days in dogs with experimentally perforated eardrums. Povidone iodine (0.1-1%) is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial substance, although Gr-organisms are more resistant. It has residual activity for 4-6 hours, but is inactivated by organic substances. It may also be ototoxic and may cause contact allergy in some animals. Xenodin diluted 1:1 with water has effective action for resistant strains Pseudomonas . It has a long-lasting effect, causes less tissue reaction than povidone iodine and interacts less with organic matter. This substance is more effective in aquatic environment. Acetic acid (when diluted 1:2-1:3) acidifies internal environment channel, has antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas , staphylococci, streptococci and E. coli, dissolves accumulations of organic substances, but can cause inflammation.

Topical treatments are usually applied twice daily. A treatment principle that is often followed is: “If it's wet, dry it. If it’s dry, moisturize.” In other words, if the ears are wet, drying agents should be used, and if the ears are dry, flaky, oil-based agents should be used, which have a moisturizing effect.

Medicines are often divided into first and second choice drugs (see list at end). First-line medications (i.e., Trezadem, Panalogue) are used for acute or occasionally recurrent otitis externa; they usually contain antibiotics and corticosteroids, some contain antifungal components. Second choice medications (i.e. Synotic, Otomax, Enrofloxosin) for chronic or recurrent cases with significant proliferative changes or persistent microflora. Solutions or lotions are often used for more acute exudative lesions because they cause less disruption of patency. Ointments and oil-based substances are used in the treatment of drier chronic otitis externa.

Local application of antibiotics and antifungal substances is necessary for most types of external otitis, since the corresponding microorganisms multiply in the inflamed canals. Topical glucocorticoids are prescribed to most patients because they have anti-inflammatory, vasoconstrictive effects, relieve itching, reduce proliferation and reduce secretion. Dimethyl sulfoxide is a topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug that also has analgesic, dehumidifying and mild antibacterial/antifungal effects. Dimethyl sulfoxide prevents excessive formation connective tissue and facilitates the absorption of antibiotics and glucocorticoids. It is often used in combination with fluocinolone (“Sinotic”) for developed allergic and proliferative external otitis. Dimethyl sulfoxide potentiates the ototoxic effect of other drugs.

Systemic use of glucocorticoids or antibiotics should be prescribed for inflammation of the middle ear, developed acute external otitis, or recurrent or chronic external otitis. Antibiotics should be effective against staphylococci, streptococci and Escherichia coli (i.e. 1st generation cephalosporins, amoxicillin with clavulinic acid, chloramphenicol) and against Pseudomonas (enrofloxacin, ticarcillin, ceftiofur) in chronic cases in which other antibiotics are ineffective. Culture isolation and sensitivity testing are necessary to select appropriate antibiotics. Prednisolone is prescribed at 0.5-1.1 mg/kg/day for severe inflammation or proliferative changes, the dose is gradually reduced after 2-3 weeks of treatment.

Specific diseases are external bacterial otitis.

If cytological examination reveals a large number of leukocytes and bacteria, especially if the latter are localized within leukocytes, it can be concluded that bacteria are involved in the pathogenesis of otitis externa. Acute or occasionally recurrent otitis media with bacterial isolation on cytological examination are treated with topical medications, often neomycin. Chloramphenicol also has a satisfactory effect as local antibiotic broad spectrum of action, but not effective against Pseudomonas . Gentamicin should not be used in acute and occasionally recurrent cases to avoid the development of microflora resistance. Before using antibiotics, cleansing/drying agents should be used (increased local action). Systemic use of antibiotics is indicated for significant tissue swelling, a huge amount of inflammatory cells with cytological examination, with tissue ulceration or dermatitis around the auricle.

With the constant detection of bacteria during cytological examination, especially in the presence of Gr-bacillus, it can be concluded that the microflora is resistant to locally used drugs. If the microflora is resistant, drugs containing gentamicin are used topically, or topical treatment is stopped and systemic use drugs for 3-5 days, then a culture is isolated and tested for sensitivity to antibiotics.

For otitis caused by Pseudomonas , apply topical polymyxin B, colistin sulfate, amikacin or enrofloxacin or choose systemic antibiotic, based on the results of the sensitivity test. You can also additionally use glucocorticoids, topically or orally. When stable Pseudomonas to all antibiotics in a standard test, repeat sensitivity testing with stronger antibiotics (eg, ceftiofur) or use silver sulfadiazine, xenodin, chlorhexidine or Tris-EDTA with or without gentamicin ( Tris-EDTA enhances the effectiveness of gentamicin against Pseudomonas).

Other primary or predisposing factors such as atopy, food allergies or anatomical changes should also be considered.

Infections caused by Malassezia (yeast mushrooms).

Malassezia (yeasts) are opportunistic pathogens that cause inflammatory changes. Often the main problem is allergies. Antifungal agents include ketoconazole, miconazole, nystatin and clotrimazole. Miconazole is 10 times stronger than nystatin. The activity of amphotericin and thiabendazole varies depending on the type of pathogen. Owners should also use a cleansing/drying agent every 24 to 48 hours. Local use of glucocorticoids is indicated to relieve inflammation. When stable malassezia use clotrimazole, miconazole, silver sulfadiazine (mix 50:50 with water and apply every 12 hours), orally ketoconazole (5-10 mg/kg every 12 hours for 2-4 weeks; you can use a prolonged form of 5-10 mg/kg kg every 48 hours) or oral itraconazole (5 mg/kg/day for 2-4 weeks).

Specific treatment - ear mites Otodectes.

The ears are cleaned, then locally active substances are applied or acaricidal substances are applied systemically, and all animals that have been in contact with the infected animal are treated. Pyrethrins, carbaryl and rotenone have no effect on tick eggs, so they should be used for 21-28 days, throughout life cycle tick. Thiabendazole is effective against ticks at any stage of development, including eggs. It may be necessary to treat the entire body with a flea solution or spray as the ticks may move to another area of the body. Disinfection should also be taken into account environment. Ivermectin has an effective effect both when administered orally and when administered locally and parenterally. Dosage 3mg/kg once a week for 3-4 weeks or 3mg/kg every 10-14 days. Ivermectin should not be used in collies, Old English Danes, Australian herding dogs and their crosses. Before using ivermectin, you should test for heartworms.

Demodecosis.

Demodicosis can be generalized or localized on the ears (especially in cats). For treatment use Trezaderm, a solution of amitraz in propylene glycol (dogs, diluted from 1:30 to 1:60), orally ivermectin (0.6 mg/kg every 24 hours for 2-3 weeks, subsequently as indicated), or orally milbemycin oxime (1 mg/kg every 24 hours for 2-3 weeks, then as indicated).

Allergic otitis media.

Allergic otitis media tends to be chronic or recurrent. Allergies should be controlled with diet, oral glucocorticoids, antihistamines, fatty acids, or desensitization. Sick animals require supportive local therapy. The initial goal of therapy is to relieve inflammation and control the development of secondary/opportunistic infection. First choice medications such as Tresaderm or Pananalog should be used if microbes are present. If cytological examination does not reveal microbes, substances that relieve inflammation are used (for example, sinotic). Along with control of bacterial/yeast microflora, maintenance therapy is used, depending on the degree of development of the disease. For subacute allergic otitis, cleansing/drying agents are used. For moderate allergic otitis, weak glucocorticoids/astringents (HB 101 or Burov's fluid (?) or Cort/Astrin ) or glucocorticoids/cleaning/drying agents ( Epi-otic or Clear X ). In advanced cases, stronger glucocorticoids are used ( Synotic ). Long-term topical use of strong glucocorticoids is contraindicated because they are absorbed and have systemic action and cause the development of symptoms similar to Cushing's syndrome. Long-term use solutions containing antibiotics can lead to the development of microflora resistance, as well as have an ototoxic effect or cause the development of allergies to drugs. If the animal is prone to recurrent bacterial or fungal ear infections with allergies, Tresaderm should be used every 48 hours throughout life, or if the ears are severely inflamed, use Synotic with chloramphenicol (2-4 ml/8 ml synotic every 48 hours, wear rubber gloves when using). In case of relapse Malassezia Treatment should be with a cleanser/drying agent 1-3 times a week and conofite solution with the addition of dexamethasone (4 mg/kg) or long-term oral ketoconazole every 48 hours. Management of allergic otitis is similar to the treatment of atopy or food allergies.

Inflammation of the outer and middle ear.

Otitis due to excessive formation of earwax .

Serum otitis is associated with endocrinopathy (hypothyroidism, sex hormone imbalance) or idiopathic seborrhea. Affected animals exhibit mild to moderate inflammation and excess accumulations of yellow sulfur. Such animals are prone to developing secondary yeast or bacterial infections. Control of primary factors should be carried out before complete cure otitis If necessary, apply continuous local therapy; After the secondary yeast/bacterial infection is cured, maintenance therapy with glucocorticoids or glucocorticoids/astringents is prescribed, and routine rinsing with cleansers/drying agents or simply drying agents is also carried out.

The specific disease is idiopathic inflammatory/hyperplastic external otitis of cocker spaniels.

There are reports that Cocker Spaniel idiopathic inflammatory/hyperplastic otitis externa occurs in other spaniel breeds as well. Otitis media develops at an early age and gradually progresses, causing proliferation, canal stenosis, cartilage calcification, and progresses to inflammation of the middle ear. Sick animals usually do not have other skin diseases. This condition should be differentiated from atopy, food allergies and idiopathic inflammation of the sebaceous glands of the ear in cocker spaniels. Required active therapy glucocorticoids (topically), some patients may require oral glucocorticoids every 48 hours to control the disease. Resection of the lateral auditory canal does not make sense; total resection with osteotomy of the tympanic bulla is indicated for stenosis, significant proliferative changes and cartilage calcification.

Proliferative otitis externa.

Proliferative otitis externa requires aggressive local (dexamethasone, betamethasone, or fluocinolone) and systemic glucocorticoids if inflammation occurs, and also local and systemic antibiotics to eliminate deep-localized infection. Oral prednisolone is started at 1 mg/kg/day and tapered over several weeks. Total resection of the auditory canal with osteotomy of the tympanic bulla is recommended.

External otitis of swimmers.

External otitis in swimmers may be caused by allergic component with the imposition of a secondary bacterial or fungal infection (yeast). The infection is suppressed with topical medications, followed by ongoing maintenance therapy using medications such as isopropyl alcohol or aluminum acetate. Acetic acid is used as an antimicrobial and cleansing agent, and is also used in the treatment process HB 101 Epiotic HC or Clear X , as well as steroids for allergies.

Chronic irritation.

Chronic irritation from topical application of drugs - contact hypersensitivity. The most common reactions are to neomycin, sometimes to propylene glycol, in some cases to acetic acid, alcohol, glycerin, povidone iodine. Cytological examination reveals neutrophils; bacteria and yeast are absent. At severe irritation the irritating agent should be eliminated and oral glucocorticoids should be prescribed (0.5-1 mg/kg prednisolone every 24 hours for 3-7 days). If necessary, switch to the use of substances with an astringent effect and local anti-inflammatory therapy. If necessary, use chloramphenicol as an antibacterial agent.

Overdose.

An overdose is manifested by inflammation of the auditory canal; Cytological examination reveals epithelial cells. To relieve inflammation, stop topical use of drugs and cleanse with a mixture of vinegar and water within 24-48 hours (1:2-1:3)

Otitis is an inflammation of the dog's outer, middle and inner ear. In practice, inflammation of the middle and outer ear is most common, and inflammation of the inner ear is slightly less common. Otitis media affects both ears of a pet at once, and the causes of the disease are very different.

Causes of otitis media in dogs

In dogs, otitis media occurs as a result of damage to the outer ear. As a result of a tick bite, after the formation of sulfur plugs, and even with allergic reactions to medications, shampoo, or food. Otitis media is most common in dogs with long ears.

Symptoms of otitis media in dogs

If your dog reacts painfully to the touch of hands in the head and ears, and also constantly shakes its head, these may be the first signs of otitis media. For a better understanding of the disease, let’s look at the symptoms of otitis media in dogs in more detail.

Symptoms of otitis media:

purulent and bloody discharge from the ears;
unpleasant odor;
redness of the skin in the inner part of the ear;
in severe cases, inflammation of the submandibular lymph nodes;
pain when yawning widely;
periodic deafness;
heaviness when eating solid foods;
discharge from the eyes;
in case of complications, meningitis and inflammation of the vestibular apparatus are observed.

If you notice symptoms of otitis in your dog, immediately contact your veterinarian to begin treatment. Depending on the infection, otitis media can be of different types.

Purulent otitis in a dog. A purulent, unpleasant-smelling liquid is flowing from the dog's ear. In the advanced phase of purulent otitis, the dog may develop ulcerative processes and perforation of the eardrum. During the treatment, antibiotics, a solution of hydrogen peroxide and chlorhexidine are used.
Chronic otitis media caused by bacteria staphylococcus, streptococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Chronic otitis media needs serious treatment under the guidance of a veterinarian. To treat chronic otitis, veterinarians prescribe compresses with dexamethasone and antibiotics, as well as Candibiotic drops.
Otitis externa in dogs- a disease of the outer ear, which manifests itself as inflammation of the hair follicle, or bacterial and fungal infection of the ear canal, accompanied by eczema, itching, and swelling. To treat and prevent the disease, use Wetzim drops.
Fungal otitis in dogs also called otomycosis, it can be either an independent or secondary disease. Inflamed skin loses its protective properties, and the fungus provokes additional infection, as a result, otitis media occurs. It all starts with severe itching, after which a large amount of sulfur appears, which mixes with fungal bacteria. The dog's ear turns red and becomes inflamed; swelling, purulent discharge, and a sour, unpleasant odor are also possible. This form of otitis is treated by treating the ear with a solution of phosphoric acid, as well as with the drug Gaselan 2%.
Bacterial otitis in dogs- a fairly common disease of the auricle, which is accompanied by itching. Otitis media can affect one or both ears at once; ear inflammation causes purulent discharge, redness and an unpleasant odor in the ears. In the case of fungal or bacterial otitis, Surolan spray drops are used for treatment.
Allergic otitis media in dogs- often occurs as a result of an allergic reaction, or hormonal imbalance. Accompanied by abundant secretion of earwax and intensive proliferation of fungi in the microflora. The dog develops itching, which it tries to stop by scratching its ears, resulting in irritation and ulcers, as well as discharge Brown and purulent consistency.

How to properly clean a dog's ears (part of the prevention of otitis media):

Please note that if you carry out treatment for a long time without results, then most likely the selected medications are not accepted by your dog’s body and the treatment is not effective. Medicine for otitis media can be found in every veterinary pharmacy. But it is worth remembering that even with the best selection of drugs, this is difficult and time-consuming. healing process.

Treatment of otitis media in dogs at home

Treatment of otitis requires attention, caution and should be prescribed by a doctor, taking into account the identified signs of otitis in dogs. If it is not possible to visit a veterinarian, you should try to help your pet in this way:

We treat the dog’s ear with a saline solution of chlorhexidine or miramistin. Apply a small amount of the solution to a gauze swab.
gently presses the ear to distribute the healing fluid evenly. We remove wax from the ear using an exudate solution, which is sold in pet stores.
moisten a clean swab with boiled water and remove discharge and crusts. A clogged ear canal can be cleaned using saline using the douching method.
After cleaning, you need to drip the following ear drops for dogs against otitis into your ear to choose from: Anandin plus, Otinum, Sofradex, Otipax. For small breed dogs, 2 drops in each ear, and for large breed dogs, 5 drops.
Afterwards, gently massage your ear. The procedure must be repeated twice a day, no more than two weeks; if there are no changes, use other drops.

Depending on the appearance of the skin of the ears, for prevention, you can treat part of the ears with a moisturizing or drying ointment once a day. remember, that chronic otitis media requires quite a long treatment, so try to avoid complications.

Otitis in dogs

An inflammatory process in the ear, or otitis media in other words, can cause discomfort not only to humans. Pets very often suffer from this disease, and for their acute hearing and delicate surfaces of the auricle, this is a rather difficult test. If your dog's ears get dirty very quickly, they give off an unpleasant odor, the animal shakes its head very often and tries to comb its ears, then you should take your pet to the veterinarian. Most likely, we are talking about otitis media in a dog.

Types of ear inflammation

Otitis in a dog photo

There are several classifications of the disease. Based on the location of the infectious process, otitis is divided into:

External - inflammation affects the external auditory canal, located between the inlet and the surface of the eardrum.
Medium - the inflammatory process penetrates deep into the eardrum. Often accompanied by suppuration - this form of the disease is called purulent otitis media. In advanced or complicated forms of otitis, inflammation of the outer and middle ear often occurs.
Internal - a severe form of the disease, the lesion is localized in the inner ear and very often causes various kinds of complications.

Depending on the cause of the disease, the following types are distinguished:

Primary otitis media occurs as an independent disease and occurs without associated diseases.
Secondary otitis - inflammation is a complication of a dermatological disease. Most often, this type of otitis appears against the background atopic dermatitis, dermatosis, autoimmune diseases, damage to the adrenal glands or thyroid gland.

There is a classification based on the causative agent of the disease:

Chronic otitis is a complex inflammation that requires consultation with a specialist. It is provoked by staphylococci, streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli.
Fungal otitis media (otomycosis) – fungal bacteria mix with earwax and begin to multiply intensively, causing inflammation.
Bacterial otitis - pathogenic bacteria often cause the development of otitis, and either one or both ears can be affected.
Allergic otitis media develops as a result of allergies or hormonal imbalances.

Risk group

Most often, inflammation develops in owners of long, hanging ears, which are hidden from natural ventilation and are an ideal “breeding ground” for the development and reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms. Among the breeds with a similar problem are spaniels and poodles.

Why does otitis media develop in dogs?

If we are talking about an infectious pathogen, then most often it is streptococcus or staphylococcus, which develops in a weakened animal’s body.

Signs of otitis media in dogs

The clinical picture of the disease is as follows:

the pet is restless, as he feels pain in the ear and itching;
purulent exudate flows from the ear, which has a nauseating odor; the discharge may contain an admixture of blood;
the pet often tilts its head and shakes its ears;
the ear canal turns red;
the ear becomes hot to the touch, this increases the temperature in the affected area;
tissue swelling occurs in the ear;
you can feel enlarged lymph nodes from the side of the inflamed organ;
the pet's appetite decreases;
the dog is lethargic, does not find a place for itself, and may spin in the direction of the inflamed ear.

During severe forms of otitis in dogs, the following symptoms and complications are possible:

hearing loss;
development of strabismus;
the dog has difficulty eating - it is difficult to chew due to pain;
discharge of exudate from the eyes.

Diagnosing the disease in dogs

Making a correct, timely diagnosis is half the road to recovery. Veterinarians warn owners not to ignore the pet’s condition and not to treat the disease themselves.

Therapy for otitis media in dogs

Considering the variety of forms and types of the disease, it is difficult not to guess that there is no single treatment for otitis media in dogs. Each variety requires an individual approach:

Purulent otitis - antibiotic therapy is mandatory; the affected ears are treated with chlorhexidine and hydrogen peroxide.
Chronic otitis media involves the use of antibiotics, dexamethasone compresses are recommended. Candibiotic drops are also prescribed - a remedy that fights fungi and pathogenic bacteria.
Fungal otitis - the drug Gaselan 2% is used, the ear is regularly treated with a solution of phosphoric acid.
Bacterial otitis - for treatment, complex drugs are used that have antifungal and antibacterial effects, for example, the drug in the form of spray drops Surolan.
Allergic form of otitis - includes a three-month strict diet, antipruritic drops are prescribed to eliminate itching. If the allergy is of a constant seasonal nature, you can use antihistamines prescribed by your veterinarian.

The most common antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drugs include the following:

For local treatment, camphor oil, aversectin ointment, Dekta are used, and for tick-borne infestations, Amit ointment is used.

To enhance and maintain the immune system, a course of Ascorutin, Vitam, Gamavit and other vitamin preparations is prescribed.

Otipax and Framycetin ear drops have excellent anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.

Example of otitis media on video:

Preventive measures

The owner must take care of the health of his pet, and therefore prevent the development of various types of diseases. Prevention of otitis involves the following:

the dog should not be allowed to become hypothermic;
after bathing, you need to remove excess water using a cotton swab;
It is worth carrying out regular hygiene procedures - daily inspection of the ears and cleaning a couple of times a week;
required to provide complete diet dogs, supplementing it with vitamin supplements if necessary;
the dog’s contact with other unfamiliar animals should be limited;
If possible, avoid injury to your pet and stressful situations.

Otitis in a dog: treatment, symptoms, causes

Otitis media is one of the most common dog ear problems faced by pet owners. Otitis is a sign of an inflammatory process in the ears, but this does not mean that there is an infection in the ear. Ear infections can provoke otitis media, or they can be their consequence, i.e. you need to clearly understand the difference between these two conditions.

General information about otitis media and the causes of their occurrence

Inflammation of the ear canal causes a lot of discomfort for your pet, including pain, itching, fever and general malaise. Initially, the structure of the ears of all dogs is such that there is always a risk of otitis media. There are also breeds with a clear predisposition to this pathology. These are the animals:

with long ears;
with hairs in the ear canal;
with skin folds along the body;
prone to allergic reactions.

The potential risk group includes the following breeds:

German Shepherds;
setters;
hunting dogs;
bulldogs;
spaniels;
Shar-Pei;
basset hounds;
Labradors.

In dogs, otitis occurs in the form of:

inflammation of the ear canal and outer ear (otitis externa);
inflammatory process involving the middle ear (otitis media);
inflammation that spreads to the inner ear (most rare view otitis).

If you do not find out the cause of otitis, treat it incorrectly or not treat it at all, then all this will provoke perforation of the eardrum (rupture or dissolution of it by pus). In this case, purulent discharge will accumulate not only at the base of the ear canal, but will also go into the inner ear, penetrating into the meninges. With such a course of the disease in best case scenario the dog will lose hearing, or at worst, die from purulent meningitis.

Main symptoms of ear problems

There are a number of main signs of otitis media, which will cause the dog owner to involuntarily pay attention to his ears.

Symptoms of inflammation in the ears:

the presence of scratches, hematomas (bruises), wounds or any other damage on the ears;
constant urge to scratch your ears or shake your head;
a lot of sulfur released (more than usual);
any kind of discharge (including purulent) with an unpleasant odor;
obvious signs of the inflammatory process - redness, swelling, soreness and increased local temperature;
hair loss on the ears (from scratching) or inside;
the presence of crusts and scabs around the ears or at the entrance to the ear canal;
pain not only inside, but also throughout the hearing organ (the animal does not allow you to examine it);
enlargement of the submandibular lymph nodes during a prolonged inflammatory process;
changes in the general condition of the animal - depression, lack of appetite, increased body temperature, etc.

Besides common symptoms For all ear problems, there are individual clinical signs of otitis, depending on the causes:

with otitis due to increased hair growth, in addition to the classic signs of inflammation, you can find hair growing deep in the ear, which must be removed both to prevent otitis and before starting treatment for an existing problem;
With ear mites, black-brown, grainy discharge is observed, under which bleeding wounds may be observed when they are separated. Both sides are usually affected;
bacterial or fungal otitis is usually accompanied by purulent discharge and increased local temperature. When inoculating secretions on nutrient media, it is possible to isolate a specific causative agent of inflammation;
with otitis due to tumors or foreign objects, in addition to all the signs, specific causes are identified - in fact, tumors and foreign objects that can only be detected by an otoscope due to their deep location in the ear canal;
with otitis caused by ingress and stagnation of water, the discharge is always liquid, although of different nature(purulent, serous, cloudy or transparent);
if otitis is allergic, then usually signs of individual sensitivity appear in other parts of the body: hives, swelling, itching, etc.

What owners should not do

You cannot self-medicate, because... Incorrectly selected antimicrobial drugs will not help, will cause bacterial resistance to other agents, and may also cause additional irritation and increased inflammation. If you notice any sign that something is wrong with your hearing, you should immediately contact your veterinarian! How to treat otitis depends on the cause of its occurrence, which only a specialist can determine.

You should not try to clean the dog’s ears with ear sticks - it is impossible to clean out the discharge as they should, and there is also a risk of cotton wool remaining inside the ear cavity. In veterinary hospitals, ears are cleaned with tweezers or a hemostatic clamp, which firmly holds a cotton swab and with good metal support allows you to clean out all dirt and secretions.

You cannot put hydrogen peroxide in your dog's ears - when it reacts with bleeding wounds and pus, it begins to foam strongly, which is perceived by the dog as a loud extraneous noise. An animal may behave inappropriately out of fear. Only the outside of the ears can be treated with peroxide.

You can’t clean your dog’s ears if you’ve never done it before. There is a high risk of causing pain, after which the animal will in every possible way interfere with examinations, even those carried out by veterinary specialists (it will run away, hide, bite, etc.).

How to help a dog with signs of otitis media before contacting a veterinarian

If it is not possible to immediately seek help from a veterinarian, the pet owner can somewhat alleviate his condition with simple procedures:

carefully examine the hearing organ, without causing pain to the dog and without using foreign objects, so as not to cause additional damage;
process outer surface ears with hydrogen peroxide and brilliant green, if there are wounds and scratches on the ears;
Apply 3-4 drops of Otinum or Otipax to your ears and gently massage the bases of your ears (if there are no signs of pain). These are absolutely safe drops for dogs that relieve itching, eliminate pain, dissolve wax and loosen crusts and plaque in the ear canal (if any). The products do not provide an antimicrobial load, eliminating the risk of developing resistance of bacteria that caused inflammation before starting antibiotic therapy;
After soaking the ear contents and numbing the ear, clean the ears with a cotton swab wrapped around tweezers. The procedure can only be carried out if you have experience in cleaning your dog’s ears! If before at this moment Having never had cleaning done in your life, it makes sense to wait for a visit to the veterinarian, removing dirt within the visible convolutions of the outer ear. If you feel squishing inside the pus or other contents and it is not possible to clean everything out, a mixture of streptocide powders with boric acid (ratio 1:5) is poured into the ear. If the dog wants to shake his head, you need to let him do it! Soaked dirt, discharge and wax will move closer to the outer ear, from where they can be removed independently;
if the dog has an increase in body temperature, you can give Analgin once as an antipyretic - 0.5 tablets/10 kg orally or 0.1 ml/kg intramuscularly.

All subsequent treatment at home should be carried out with medications prescribed by the veterinarian and in the order determined by him.

In special cases, for example, when the ear canal is overgrown, restorative surgery is performed, during which the ear canal is re-formed.

Important: it is impossible to cure secondary otitis media without eliminating the cause that caused it! With one symptomatic treatment, the disease can become chronic.

Sequence of treatment procedures:

Cleaning the ears. The outer ear is cleaned with a swab well moistened with hydrogen peroxide or a 2% solution of salicyl-tannin alcohol. All crusts are soaked and removed.
Cleansing the ear canal. The ear canal is cleaned with a swab moistened with a chlorhexidine solution or after instilling prophylactic lotions or drops into the ear to clean the ears. Lotions and drops well soak up internal dirt, waste products of mites, dried blood, crusts, etc. In the process of cleaning the ears, material is selected for microscopy and bacterial culture to identify the causative agent of otitis media for the rational prescription of a drug.
Treatment of bleeding wounds with a solution of brilliant green.
For deep scratches and bleeding wounds on the surface of the auricle, the use of wound healing and antiseptic ointments is recommended.
After cleaning the ears, ear drops are used as prescribed, depending on the pathogen identified - antifungal, antimicrobial or anti-mite agents. If it is not possible to identify the pathogen, use combined broad-spectrum drops aimed at removing mites, fungi and microorganisms.
For purulent otitis of any etiology, general antibiotic therapy is prescribed for a course of 5-7 days.
If signs are observed general intoxication, drips with detoxifiers are used.
Regardless of the degree of development of the disease and the causes of otitis, immunostimulating agents are always prescribed.

Consolidated list of medications for otitis media

They are most often used in the treatment of otitis of various etiologies.

Otitis in dogs

Otitis is an inflammatory process in the ear, which, as a rule, causes serious discomfort for both dogs and people. However, animals suffer from this disease much more often.

Normally, in any dog, the glands located in the external auditory canals secrete moderate amount secretion that protects the ear canal from dust, dirt, water and foreign substances. The nature and type of this secretion is individual for each breed. But its quantity should be optimal. If you notice that after cleaning the ears literally the next day, your dog again has dirty ears, and this secretion smells unpleasant, and the dog shakes its head or scratches its ears, then you must immediately consult a veterinarian.

Classification of otitis

By place of origin

There is a certain classification of varieties of this disease. Experts distinguish between external and otitis media, based on the location of the source of the disease.

Otitis externa is an inflammation of the external auditory canal, which is located between the opening of this passage and the eardrum.

Otitis media is an inflammation of the middle ear located behind the eardrum. The middle ear consists of three bones that conduct sounds into the inner ear.

However, when the disease is at a severe stage, damage to both the middle and outer ears is possible.

Primary and secondary otitis media

Like many other diseases, otitis media is also classified according to its cause. If the disease occurs independently and is self-sufficient, we are dealing with primary otitis.

If otitis has already arisen as a complication of some other dermatological disease, therapy should be applied to secondary otitis.

Secondary otitis media can be caused by:

Unlike many other diseases, there is a breed predisposition to otitis media. In fact, it all depends on the structure of the ears of different dogs.

At risk are animals with large, drooping ears that block the path of air, thereby creating excellent conditions for the development of pathogenic microflora. Spaniels and poodles suffer from similar body characteristics.

However, there is an inverse relationship between otitis media and the degree of openness of the ear canal. East European Shepherds, for example, have the exact opposite problem - an ear that is too open allows bacteria to enter the ear canal.

Chronic external otitis media. Swelling, excess discharge, and inflammation of the eardrum are visible.

Verrucous otitis (Characteristic redness of the skin, the formation of “warts”, discharge of sulfur and pus of atypical consistency)

Causes of otitis media in dogs

The occurrence of otitis media is influenced by many factors. The disease can be caused, for example, by hypothermia and head injury, helminthiasis, disruption of the dog’s normal nutrition, allergies, or a sharp drop in the level of the body’s resistance - decreased immunity.

As for the causative agents of this disease, they are staphylococci and streptococci - one of the most well-known bacteria. They are present in the body on a permanent basis, but can only cause harm if the immune system is reduced. Any failure in the body’s defense system leads to the growth of pathogenic microflora.

Symptoms of otitis media in dogs

Clinical signs indicating the presence of otitis media are:

painful sensations in the ear;
purulent discharge with a strong unpleasant odor, which may contain blood;
frequent shaking of the ears;
the dog often tilts its head;
redness of the ear canal;
an increase in temperature in the affected area;
the appearance of swelling in the ear;
enlargement of lymph nodes due to inflammation;
a sharp decrease in appetite;
lethargy, depression.

If the dog suffers from otitis media or internal otitis, the following signs may appear:

deafness;
strabismus;
difficulty chewing due to pain;
discharge from the eye sockets;
The dog may roll towards the inflamed side of the head.

Diagnosis of the disease

There can be many reasons and etiological factors that support inflammation of the ear canal in dogs. Eliminating them and treating your pet depends on the nature and nature of the disease. That is why it is so important to conduct a thorough examination and establish a diagnosis before starting treatment, otherwise treatment may not be effective and may even worsen the situation.

Diagnosis of the disease is carried out differentiatedly in the following areas:

Only on the basis of a comprehensive examination can a doctor make a diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment. It is worth remembering that all types of otitis media do not go away on their own; self-medication or neglect of the disease leads to serious consequences.

Some of the above procedures may be performed under anesthesia. Typically, this only becomes necessary if the dog is behaving aggressively.

If a secondary form of otitis is suspected, the most difficult thing is to identify the root cause of the disease. By discovering the original source, the doctor determines the starting point of treatment.

Treatment of otitis media

Treatment ear diseases must be comprehensive and aimed at eliminating primary causes disease and leveling (until complete elimination) of the harmful influence of supporting factors. This is only possible if the course is properly combined general therapy(antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs (“Otibiovin”, “Otoferanol”, “Otipax”, “Normax”) and local treatments with such agents as: camphor oil, aversectin ointment and “Amit” (for tick infestations), “Amidel-gel”, “Dekta”, “Acaromectin”, etc. Drugs such as “Gamavit”, “Ascorutin”, etc. will help support immunity and speed up recovery. To relieve pain in the ear canal, a specialist may recommend special ear drops, such as Otipax or Framycetin . Similar drugs relieve pain and relieve inflammation in the affected areas. In addition, some of them will also help relieve itching.

Most modern veterinary drugs, used in the treatment of dog ear diseases, act in several directions and have anti-inflammatory, local anesthetic and antimicrobial effects. But they should be used only after a full examination and as prescribed by a doctor.

What you can do at home before visiting the veterinarian is to clean out excess secretion using a special lotion, hydrogen peroxide, petroleum jelly or saline solution. There is no point in using anything at your own discretion. You can only harm your dog.

If the disease is at a late stage, and prolonged scratching of the affected area has led to the formation of crusts, they can be removed from the surface of the ear using ordinary hydrogen peroxide. The resulting small wounds can be treated with brilliant green - this will avoid infections.

If the amount of pus begins to rapidly increase, and the ear is already beginning to squelch, the ear canal can be very carefully cleaned with boric alcohol.

Remember, otitis media is quite treatable, but it will be effective and quick only under the supervision of a specialist.

Disease prevention

For effective prevention illness, first of all, you need to avoid factors that can cause it. In addition, it is necessary to carefully observe the dog’s personal hygiene rules and examine and treat the dog’s ear at least once a week.

As mentioned earlier, ear problems can be a direct consequence of a dog’s decreased immunity. The body's inability to adequately respond to a threat can occur due to a number of reasons. To be sure that your pet will cope with the attack of the virus, you need to carefully monitor its diet, which should include all the necessary vitamin complex, proteins, fats and complex carbohydrates. Constant stress should also be avoided - it also reduces the body's resistance.

Otitis in dogs: types and symptoms

Ear inflammation or otitis media in dogs is one of the most common reasons for visiting the clinic. Chronic and acute otitis media undermine the immunity and general health of pets. The dog becomes irritable, sometimes even disobedient and nervous due to constant pain. In severe cases, the pet may die. What is otitis media like and how to notice this disease in time?

general information

Otitis externa is an inflammation of the part of the ear that ends at the eardrum. This is the easiest type of otitis, because... the hearing aid is not affected. 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 ear, from the nasopharynx (rhinitis, bad teeth, virus) or through the bloodstream. Otitis media in a dog that is left untreated can spread to the 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 meningitis if the inflammation has spread from the ear to the meninges. In addition to the general symptoms, with internal otitis, dizziness, vomiting, drooling, strange movements of the paws or head are possible - 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 a very wide or narrowed ear canal suffer from otitis media. Droopy ears, especially those pressed tightly to the head, block the access of 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, devoid of a protective layer sebum and sulfur). The reasons may not be directly related to the ears - low immunity, exhaustion, constant hypothermia and sleeping on a draft/cold floor, hormonal fluctuations, bad teeth.

Infectious otitis media

Viruses, fungi and bacteria are the most important enemies of the ears and the most common provocateurs of otitis media. Pathogenic microflora can develop externally and internally(bad teeth, rhinitis, general infection). In the case of any infection, the signs of otitis media are clear and characteristic:

reddened, thickened, lumpy, crusty or glossy, as if stretched, skin;

discharge (something yellowish, greenish or grayish constantly flows from the ear or both ears);

pain (the pet does not allow its ears to be touched, growls or runs away, whines when touched, squeals and jumps up in its sleep);

squelching when lightly pressing on the ear.

The pet shakes its head in a peculiar way, as if it wants to throw off something that is in the way. Some pets rub their ears on the floor or furniture, yawn forcefully, or often open their mouths wide (a reflexive attempt to relieve congestion). If you delay treatment, there may be a rise in temperature, refusal to feed, general lethargy, reluctance to play and go for walks - it is clear from everything that the pet is sick and weakened.

Bacterial otitis develops in a similar way. Some bacteria (such as cocci) can also spread throughout the body, but this happens less frequently than with fungus. But viruses, unlike fungi and bacteria, rarely affect the ears directly. More often under viral otitis understand complications after a viral illness - enteritis, plague, etc.

Allergic otitis media

It is impossible to determine allergic otitis media by eye - red, combed ears in dogs, thick discharge, head tilted to one 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.

Traumatic otitis media

Regardless of the cause, chronic otitis in dogs is more difficult to treat than acute otitis and often recurs for the slightest reason. We swam, walked in the rain, stayed outside in the cold, the pet got scared to the point of stress, scratched its ears because of a tickling hair - a complication. Constant pain makes the dog disobedient and irritable. Living with such a pet is very difficult, but it is even harder for the dog itself, tired of frequent visits to the clinic, painful examinations and attempts at treatment. Caring owners should understand that a doctor is not able to make a diagnosis based on a photo of sore ears or a description of symptoms (by phone, online consultation). Please contact your veterinarian on time!

Otitis in dogs - main signs and effective treatment methods

Any infection can cause otitis media in dogs, which is why it is found everywhere. The disease of the external and internal parts of the hearing system affects large pets and small puppies, animals with ears of different shapes. It is advisable for responsible dog breeders to carefully familiarize themselves with the causes of this unpleasant disease.

Otitis in dogs - symptoms

Veterinarians are constantly faced with a variety of inflammatory processes in hearing aid causing suffering to our pets. Signs of otitis in dogs are easy for experienced owners to detect. Hearing loss, itching and headaches immediately manifest themselves in unpleasant ways, forcing animals to change behavior. Careful observation and examination of the head quickly helps detect infection early.

How does otitis media manifest in dogs?

Animals shake their heads strangely and frequently.
The skin in the sore spot becomes lumpy with thickening.
Pets react painfully to a simple touch on the head.
As a result of a visual inspection, the dog owner may detect strange discharge.
For otitis in dogs our four-legged friends They often itch and tilt their head unusually.
When you press on the ear, you hear squelching sounds.
Severe scratching appears on the head.
The ears of a puppy with otitis media are hot.
The disease leads to exhaustion, loss of appetite, and makes the dog irritable.
With otitis in dogs, it is visually easy to notice the redness of the ears.
Enlargement of the lymph nodes under the jaw is often observed.
Signs of pain appear when opening the mouth.

The causes of this disease are varied and common; it is difficult to insure yourself and prevent otitis media in dogs completely. Some breeds are more prone to this infection than others. These include animals with long or heavily furred ears, pets with large folds on the head. A short list of the main factors that lead to inflammation of the ear canals will help you understand this unpleasant problem.

Common factors that cause otitis in dogs:

Infection of pets with ticks.
Presence of a tumor.
The structure of the ear canals and head facilitates the spread of infection.
Infection of the ear with fungi or pathogens.
Incorrect or infrequent cleaning of fur and ears.
A foreign body has blocked the auricle.
Frequent bathing leads to moisture entering the ear canal.
An allergic reaction in animals that provokes scratching of the skin.
Weakened immunity.

Types of otitis media in dogs

Having discovered signs of this disease, you need to carefully examine the animal in a gentle way to find out the main cause of this problem. It is advisable to carefully study both ears. Sometimes external symptoms they talk about damage to one passage, but often hidden inflammation begins in the second shell. Depending on the type of otitis media in dogs, its symptoms and treatment may vary. Inflammation of the middle and inner ear is distinguished; there are several external forms of this disease. All types of otitis require immediate timely treatment.

Purulent otitis media in dogs

Otitis in dogs of a purulent form can be easily detected by a foul-smelling oily secretion. This process is caused by microorganisms or fungi that can ulcerate the mucous membrane and eardrum. Chlorhexidine, povidone-iodine antiseptic, acetic acid, peroxide, and other medicinal solutions are suitable for therapy. The affected areas are treated with effective means; when the disease passes into the middle ear, potent medications are used - antibiotics, fungicides, ointments and creams of the glucocorticoid group.

Allergic otitis media in dogs

It is advisable to carefully study the pet’s living conditions and eliminate the possibility of its contact with the irritant. The sore ear should be washed with antiseptics, removing pus from the passage. In case of complications, in addition to drops, lotions and ointments, the veterinarian may prescribe specific therapy if dangerous microorganisms have settled in the areas of scratching at the time of examination.

Malassezial otitis media in dogs

This otitis refers to skin diseases that can be detected on the mucous membrane when the fungus malassezia pachydermatis appears and increases its spread in the body. Under normal conditions, microorganisms manifest themselves weakly, so that inflammation of the inner ear in dogs or outer shell sinks have reached critical values, special favorable conditions or weakened immune system.

In the worst cases, malasseziasis is complicated by the appearance of pathogenic microflora and the development of a bacterial infection, so it must be treated immediately. If a fungus is detected under the microscope, it is expelled with chlorhexidine, sulfur, and miconazole. The skin is treated special shampoos with a healing effect. The skin is treated with ointments twice a day; treatment lasts for a long time, often up to several weeks.

Fungal otitis in dogs

A special name has been coined for this type of disease – otomycosis. It can be an independent problem or appear as a complication of bacterial infections, tick bites, or allergic reactions of the body. Scratching provokes otomycosis, which leads to wounds and abrasions that violate the integrity of the skin. They often affect animals that have previously suffered from severe infections, four-legged friends with weakened immune systems.

Bacterial otitis in dogs

This disease is not caused by a fungus, but by infections in the form of streptococci and staphylococci involved in pathogenesis. Neomycin and chloramphenicol work well on them; in particularly acute cases and relapses, gentamicin is used. Organisms of the Pseudomonas group are eliminated with polymyxin B and glucorticoids. If chronic otitis in dogs cannot be treated, then use strong remedies– sulfadiazine, chlorhexidine, ceftiofur, Tris-EDTA paired with gentamicin.

Verrucous otitis media in dogs

The second name for this disease is warty otitis media. This is a skin form of the disease that causes special formations in the animal’s ears. Warts significantly narrow the ear canal, eventually blocking the canal completely. IN in this case It is not possible to effectively clean the passages of sulfur and remove pus, which complicates the disease. In the initial stage, ear inflammation in a dog is treated with drops and powders, and removal of deposits. IN difficult cases remove growths by excision of part of the ear canal, preventing unwanted change cartilage tissue.

Treatment of otitis media in dogs

Serious forms of inflammation of the ear canal can be eliminated under the supervision of veterinarians, but when a specialist cannot be found quickly, you have to use remedies available at home. If you find otitis in a dog, then you can try to find what to treat it in your first aid kit. Simple manipulations and some common human medicines help in cases where the disease is at early stages.

First aid for a dog with otitis media:
Gauze swabs with chlorhexidine or miramistim are suitable for treating the auricle.
Hygienic lotions sold in pet stores are used to remove wax.
If the ear is tightly clogged, then careful douching is done using saline solution.
The crust and pus are removed with swabs soaked in boiled water.
Then ear medications are dripped into the passage - Anandin Plus, Sofradex, Otinum.
Finishing procedures light massage auricle, repeat treatment 2 times a day.

Ampicillin for purulent otitis media in dogs

A variety of human antibiotics for otitis in dogs are often used, but it is advisable to prescribe them on the recommendation of a specialist. Ampicillin is given to animals an hour before eating or a couple of hours after eating. The dosage must be strictly observed so as not to harm the animals. Dogs are prescribed this antibiotic at a dose of 20-40 mg orally or 10-20 mg/kg intramuscularly per 1 kg of weight with a frequency of 8 hours a day, the course of treatment is 5 days.

Dimexide for otitis media in dogs

This product is suitable for topical use; it dissolves easily in alcohol and is used to destroy many microorganisms. It is prescribed in cases where the disease has spread to the middle and inner ear, and the recommended drops in the dog’s ears do not help with inflammation. Soak a tampon in a 10% solution and place it in the ear canal for half an hour. For external otitis, applications are made from dimexide. Wipes soaked in a light solution are applied to the auricle.

Amoxicillin for otitis media in dogs

An antibiotic is prescribed for the treatment of advanced otitis media. It is administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly, observing a dosage of 1 ml per 10 kg of pet’s weight. It is necessary to monitor the four-legged patient, in case of undesirable reactions, stop taking amoxicillin and change the drug. This medicine for otitis in dogs is prescribed for diseases of the middle ear to destroy the causative bacteria.

Levomekol for otitis media in dogs

Levomekol is supplied in the form of ointments, active substance it contains chloramphenicol, which kills up to 20 types of pathogens. Such drugs for the treatment of otitis media in dogs are excellent in the early stages. The ointment enters the ear canal using a tampon, which is left for 10 minutes in the sore ear, where it is absorbed into the skin. It is not advisable to leave the animal unattended during the procedure. Treatment with levomikol is repeated 2 times a day.

Otitis in dogs: symptoms and treatment at home

Causes of otitis media in dogs

Symptoms of otitis media in dogs

Otitis in a dog photo.

purulent and bloody discharge from the ears;
unpleasant odor;
redness of the skin in the inner part of the ear;
in severe cases, inflammation of the submandibular lymph nodes;
pain when yawning widely;
periodic deafness;
heaviness when eating solid foods;
discharge from the eyes;
in case of complications, meningitis and inflammation of the vestibular apparatus are observed.

Treatment of otitis media in dogs

If you notice symptoms of otitis in your dog, immediately contact your veterinarian to begin treatment. Depending on the infection, otitis media can be of different types.

Purulent otitis in a dog. A purulent, unpleasant-smelling liquid is flowing from the dog's ear. In the advanced phase of purulent otitis, the dog may develop ulcerative processes and perforation of the eardrum. During the treatment, antibiotics, a solution of hydrogen peroxide and chlorhexidine are used.
Chronic otitis media caused by bacteria staphylococcus, streptococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Chronic otitis media requires serious treatment under the guidance of a veterinarian. To treat chronic otitis, veterinarians prescribe compresses with dexamethasone and antibiotics, as well as Candibiotic drops.
Otitis externa in dogs- a disease of the outer ear, which manifests itself as inflammation of the hair follicle, or bacterial and fungal infection of the ear canal, accompanied by eczema, itching, and swelling. To treat and prevent the disease, use Wetzim drops.
Fungal otitis in dogs also called otomycosis, it can be either an independent or secondary disease. Inflamed skin loses its protective properties, and the fungus provokes an additional infection, resulting in otitis media. It all starts with severe itching, after which a large amount of sulfur appears, which mixes with fungal bacteria. The dog's ear turns red and becomes inflamed; swelling, purulent discharge, and a sour, unpleasant odor are also possible. This form of otitis is treated by treating the ear with a solution of phosphoric acid, as well as with the drug Gaselan 2%.
Bacterial otitis in dogs- a fairly common disease of the auricle, which is accompanied by itching. Otitis media can affect one or both ears at once; ear inflammation causes purulent discharge, redness and an unpleasant odor in the ears. In the case of fungal or bacterial otitis, Surolan spray drops are used for treatment.
Allergic otitis media in dogs- often occurs as a result of an allergic reaction or hormonal imbalance. Accompanied by abundant secretion of earwax and intensive proliferation of fungi in the microflora. The dog develops itching, which it tries to stop by scratching its ears, resulting in irritation and ulcers, as well as a brown discharge with a purulent consistency.

How to properly clean a dog's ears (part of the prevention of otitis media):

Treatment of otitis media in dogs at home

We treat the dog’s ear with a saline solution of chlorhexidine or miramistin. Apply a small amount of the solution to a gauze swab.
gently presses the ear to distribute the healing fluid evenly. We remove wax from the ear using an exudate solution, which is sold in pet stores.
moisten a clean swab with boiled water and remove discharge and crusts. A clogged ear canal can be cleaned using saline using the douching method.
After cleaning, you need to drip the following ear drops for dogs against otitis into your ear to choose from: Anandin plus, Otinum, Sofradex, Otipax. For small breed dogs, 2 drops in each ear, and for large breed dogs, 5 drops.
Afterwards, gently massage your ear. The procedure must be repeated twice a day, no more than two weeks; if there are no changes, use other drops.

Depending on the appearance of the skin of the ears, for prevention, you can treat part of the ears with a moisturizing or drying ointment once a day. Remember that chronic otitis requires quite a long treatment, so try to avoid complications.

Otitis media in dogs: identifying symptoms and treating them at home

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.

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

Predisposition of certain breeds to otitis media

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.

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

often shakes his head, claws at the sore ear and reacts to touching it;
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

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 forms with different symptoms.

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.

So, they call fungal otitis media in dogs. Its development occurs for many reasons - reduced immunity, allergic reactions, various infections. Most often, this is a secondary disease that manifests itself as a result of improper treatment of other forms. The ear becomes red and hot, there is increased production of wax and an unpleasant sour odor. In the absence of therapy, the fungus spreads to the entire epithelium.

Bacterial

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 pollen.

Traumatic

In slushy weather, an increased content of sulfur is observed in the dog’s ears, 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 with a gauze bandage. Scratches are lubricated with brilliant green.
If pus has accumulated and the ear “squishes,” you should carefully clean it with boric alcohol, blot it dry and cover it 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 of otitis in a dog can lead to serious complications. Therefore, contacting a veterinarian is an important step.

Drops for otitis media

For the complex treatment of fungal otitis, drugs are prescribed that include miconazole, clotrimazole or nystatin.

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

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. Dwarf breeds need 3 drops, medium breeds need 4 drops, and large breeds 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 dwarf dogs, 4 for medium-sized dogs and 5 for 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. Since these ear drops for dogs are quite toxic, the 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 drops for medium 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 the right treatment for your pet.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Peroxide - twice a day, two weeks.
Chlorhexidine - twice-daily treatment for up to two weeks.
Bepanten - twice a day for two weeks.
Sofradex - 3-5 drops every 12 hours. The course of treatment is two weeks.

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

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.

Sinulox - intramuscularly 3 ml once, course of treatment - a week. Let’s say 1 bottle of Cefogram is mixed with Lidocaine 8 mg. Inject 2.5 ml of the prepared drug 1-2 times a day.
Suprastin - inject 0.5 ml into the outer thigh, morning and evening for 7 days.
Serrata - twice a capsule - no longer than 10 days.
Liarsin - 1 pill 2 times a day - 10 days.
Mezim - take 1 capsule twice a day for 12-14 days.

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.

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

Treatment of otitis media in dogs at home: symptoms and signs, antibiotics

Does your dog often scratch its ears, bend its head and whine pitifully? All these symptoms may indicate that the animal has otitis media - inflammation of the inner, outer or middle part of the ear. This disease is very dangerous for the health of a four-legged pet, because it not only causes pain and discomfort, but can also cause hearing loss, inflammation of the brain, and subsequently even lead to the death of the dog. Therefore, every owner should know how to recognize the signs of otitis media and what methods of treating this disease can be used at home.

Inflammatory otitis in animals: causes

A variety of factors can provoke ear inflammation - from the presence of worms in the animal’s body to injury to the auricle.

Otitis is an inflammation of the ear.

And before starting treatment for a pet, the owner should find out what caused the otitis media.

What can cause otitis media

There are many medications available to effectively treat otitis media, but the owner should consult a veterinarian before using any medication. After all, only a qualified specialist can establish a diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment.

How to Recognize Symptoms and Signs of Otitis in a Dog

Symptoms of ear inflammation are often pronounced, so it will not be difficult for an attentive owner to determine that his four-legged pet is affected by this dangerous disease.

Constant itching in the ear area is one of the symptoms of otitis media.

Otitis is accompanied by itching, as a result of which the animal constantly scratches his ears, often scratching them until they bleed.
If the dog often shakes his ears and tilts his head, then this may indicate the first symptoms of otitis media.
An animal with ear inflammation experiences severe pain, so the pet becomes restless, walks in circles and can’t find a place for himself.
Sometimes a doggie refuses food, games do not arouse any interest in him and he is reluctant to go for a walk.
Dog looks tired and sick.
When the owner tries to touch the sore ear, the dog runs away, and in some cases bares its teeth and may even bite its owner.
The skin of the auricle becomes red and inflamed, hot to the touch.
After cleaning the ears, they are already on the second or third day a large amount of sulfur accumulates.
Otitis media can be recognized by signs such as: purulent discharge from the ears with an unpleasant odor. Sometimes there may be streaks of blood in the discharge.
In some cases, the dog's lymph nodes in the neck become enlarged.
The fact that the pet is while eating or when trying to yawn suddenly begins to scratch his ears and whine pitifully.

Complications

If treatment for otitis media is not started in time, the disease can become chronic and cause the following complications:

Partial or total loss hearing;
Sometimes dogs develop strabismus or have purulent discharge from the eyes;
The animal's temperature rises;
The area inside the ear becomes swollen and swollen.

If there is a complication, pus may appear from a dog’s eyes.

If the owner notices at least one of the above symptoms in his pet, then he needs to urgently take the dog to a veterinary clinic, because it is much easier to cure the disease in the early stages than when it becomes advanced.

Types and forms of otitis media

Before treatment, the disease is diagnosed.

There are several types of otitis media and treatment is prescribed depending on the form of the disease. This is why it is so important to correctly diagnose the disease and determine what type of inflammation the pet has suffered.

Allergic form of otitis

Allergic otitis media can be identified by symptoms such as redness of the inner and outer parts of the ear and a large amount of wax plugs in the ear. In this case, swelling in the ear area and the presence of discharge with an unpleasant odor may also be observed. The reason for this type of otitis lies in the animal’s allergy to some components included in the food or to an incorrectly selected shampoo for bathing.

In the allergic form of otitis, discharge with an unpleasant odor is observed.

And allergic otitis media can also be caused by a malfunction in the dog’s hormonal system.

To prevent the occurrence of allergic otitis media, you should take a responsible approach to choosing food for your pet and purchase it for water procedures shampoos and gels without harmful chemical additives. But it is also necessary to remember that Air fresheners are very bad for dogs' respiratory systems., so it is not advisable to use them in the presence of a pet.

Otitis caused by allergies can become chronic over time, so do not delay its treatment.

Bacterial form of otitis

Bacterial otitis media is caused by an infection.

Bacterial inflammation of the ears is caused by an infection caused by staphylococcus or streptococcus viruses. This type of otitis manifests itself in swelling and redness of the inside of the ears, which are accompanied by foul-smelling discharge and itching.

Bacterial otitis most often affects only one ear, although in the absence of appropriate treatment, the disease spreads to the other ear and can become purulent.

Otomycosis (fungal otitis media)

Most often, this form of otitis occurs as a result of flea or tick bites that the dog scratches, thereby causing infection. With fungal otitis media, both the outer and inner parts of the ears become covered with inflamed ulcers and wounds. In some cases, the cartilage of the auricle swells, and excessive amounts of wax with a sour odor accumulate in the ears.

Fungal otitis media occurs due to a flea bite.

Dogs with weakened immune systems and older animals are especially susceptible to the fungal form of otitis.

Purulent form of otitis

This form of otitis is easily recognized by a large amount of purulent discharge from the pet's ears, which have an oily texture and an unpleasant odor. The skin in the ear area becomes inflamed, red and begins to peel. It is often observed deformation of the eardrum and the presence of bleeding ulcers and abrasions on the animal's ears.

This form of otitis is characterized by copious discharge of pus.

The purulent form of otitis is the most dangerous for a dog’s life, because pus can penetrate the dog’s brain, which leads to death. Therefore, at the first symptoms of inflammation, it is necessary to begin treatment immediately, preferably under the supervision of a veterinarian.

Verrucous or warty form of otitis

This type of otitis got its name due to warts that form inside the ears. The danger of verrucous otitis is that it is quite difficult to detect at the initial stage, since the owner of a four-legged pet does not always notice small warts in the dog’s ears. With time the growths increase in size, completely blocking access to the inside of the auricle Because of this, it becomes impossible to clean the dog’s ears of wax and secretions.

Verrucous form of otitis in a dog.

If the disease is advanced, then it may even be necessary to remove warts. surgical intervention. Therefore, you should regularly inspect your pet’s ears while cleaning them in order to notice suspicious growths and formations in time.

Examination of the dog is necessary to determine the form of otitis media.

But otitis is also divided into three types: external, middle and internal.

For otitis externa the inflammation is localized in the external auditory canal, without affecting the inside of the ear and the eardrum.

At internal type Otitis media affects the entire inside of the dog's ear, causing foul-smelling dark pus to ooze from the ear and causing inflammation and swelling of the eardrum and ear cartilage.

To determine the type and form of otitis it is necessary comprehensive examination of the animal, including an X-ray or MRI of the head and passing all the necessary tests, so you shouldn’t delay going to the veterinary clinic.

Treatment methods for otitis media in dogs

All forms of otitis are treated with different drugs, and only a veterinarian can determine the type of ear inflammation in an animal and prescribe appropriate treatment. To the owner You shouldn’t buy the first otitis remedy you come across at the pharmacy, this is especially true for antibiotics. Incorrect treatment will not only not help the dog, but will also harm its health.

But if it is not possible to immediately take the dog to a veterinary clinic, then you can at least try relieve symptoms of inflammation and itching, which cause the pet considerable discomfort.

The ears are treated with gauze or cotton swabs moistened miramistim or chlorhexidine .
Wax plugs can be carefully removed with a cotton swab soaked in a special solution, which is sold in pet stores and veterinary pharmacies.
Dried wax crusts and purulent discharge are cleaned with a damp cotton swab, then the affected area of the ear is treated boric alcohol or peroxide.
It wouldn’t hurt to put a few drops in your pet’s ears. Otinuma, Otipax or Sofradex. These drugs relieve pain and inflammation.
Levomekol ointment or camphor oil promote the healing of wounds and ulcers during otitis media. They are carefully rubbed into the damaged part of the ear and the animal is kept under supervision for several minutes until the ointment is completely absorbed into the skin.

Hydrogen peroxide is needed to treat the affected ear.

Regarding antibiotics, they can be prescribed for advanced or severe forms of otitis.

Prescribed for purulent otitis and Amoxicillin. This antibiotic destroys germs and viruses and effectively fights inflammation in otitis media and internal types. But often this drug causes allergies in animals, so treatment is carried out only under the supervision of a doctor.

Conclusion

If long-term treatment does not produce results, you should consult a specialist.

It is impossible to cure otitis media in a few days and it may take several weeks or even months.

But, if after long-term treatment the owner of a four-legged pet does not notice any improvement, then you should consult a specialist about this. It may be necessary to change the drug or treatment methods.

Dangerous otitis in dogs: what you can and cannot do

Reasons for the development of otitis media

Every day, faced with inflammation in the ear canal, veterinarians The following reasons for the development of otitis media in dogs are identified:

Ticks violate the integrity of the skin, damage blood vessels, and release toxic waste products into the surrounding tissues. This leads to itching and the development of otitis in the animal. Most often, dogs are diagnosed with otodectosis.

Allergic reactions. When allergies develop, the body produces chemicals that lead to fragility of blood vessels and irritate nerve endings. Scratching an itchy area with your paws leads to the proliferation of opportunistic microflora and the development of an inflammatory reaction. Often it is the animal’s ears, well equipped blood vessels, suffer from a reaction to any allergen.
Keeping an animal in unfavorable conditions. A cold, damp, drafty room, walking in bad weather, strong winds, and rainy weather are common causes of the development of the disease in dogs.
Violation of hygiene and pet care rules. Irregular cleaning of the ears from wax, water ingress during water procedures are common causes of the development of otitis media in dogs. Foreign objects. Seeds and thorns from plants, insects, and small objects that fall during a walk lead to impaired ventilation of the auricle and increased production of protective wax.
Neoplasms, papillomas, polyps. Skin formations have a similar mechanism to foreign objects. By closing the ear canal, polyps or tumors prevent normal air circulation and can also spontaneously become inflamed and bleed, which leads to the development of inflammation in the ear canal. Neoplasms can be primary, or form as a consequence of otitis media and in this case be secondary in nature.

Neoplasm in the auricle of a dog

Hormonal abnormalities. Diseases of the endocrine system - adrenal glands, thyroid and pancreas, pituitary gland - are often accompanied by hormonal imbalance. Failure leads to dry skin, itching, flaking, which provokes an inflammatory reaction.
The cause of otitis may be autoimmune diseases when the body begins to attack its own cells.
Injuries. Damage to the auricle is typical during fights between relatives. Mechanical damage(wounds, cracks, abrasions) lead to the introduction of pathogenic microflora and the development of inflammation.
The presence of sugar in the dog's diet. Many years of research indicate that feeding your pet sugary foods causes excessive formation of earwax, which is favorable environment for the development of microorganisms.

And here is more information about the diagnosis and treatment of pneumonia in dogs.

Factors contributing to the development of otitis in dogs, veterinarians include:

Thick fur in the ear. Excess hair reduces the natural ventilation of the ear canal, increases humidity, and intensively produces earwax. These factors lead to the activity of opportunistic microflora and provoke otitis media. The risk group includes dog breeds characterized by increased thickness of hair in the ear area: lapdogs, giant schnauzers, setters.

Peculiarities anatomical structure. Erect, lop-eared, ears with a lot of folds cause a lot of health problems for their four-legged owner. The peculiar structure of the auricle - drooping ears, many skin folds in the area of the outer ear - are an ideal environment for the development of inflammation. With this structure, there is poor ventilation and self-cleaning mechanisms.

The risk group includes breeds such as sharpeis, basset hounds, spaniels, and poodles. Owners of large erect ears - German Shepherds - suffer from otitis media due to the free entry of dirt and germs due to the large size of the ears.

The breed's predisposition to the disease is determined by the peculiarities of the anatomical structure of the ears, the degree of their openness, the presence of many folds, and thick hair. According to veterinary statistics, spaniels, sharpeis, German shepherds, poodles, bulldogs, as well as many hunting breeds most often suffer from otitis media.

For information on the anatomy of a dog's ear and the causes of otitis externa, watch this video:

Symptoms of the disease in dogs

The following clinical manifestations indicate an inflammatory process in the auricle of a tailed pet:

The dog often shakes its head, tilts it towards the sore ear, and constantly scratches its head in the ear area with its paws due to itching.

The purulent form of otitis is often accompanied by gurgling sounds when moving the head due to the accumulation of exudate.
When touched, the animal becomes anxious, whines and squeals.
At the entrance to the ear canal, the presence of crusts, scabs, and lost hair is noted.
By turning away the outer ear, you can observe redness and swelling of the tissues. The amount of sulfur produced exceeds it normal content. Purulent discharge with an unpleasant odor is often detected. Blood may be present in the exudate. The fur in the ear is matted.
The area at the base of the ear is hot to the touch.
With a low level of immunity, the dog may experience general hyperthermia.
The animal loses its appetite. The thirst persists.
The state becomes apathetic, lethargic.
With severe pain, the dog becomes aggressive and restless.

Types and their features

Veterinarians distinguish between primary and secondary types of disease. The independent form of otitis is primary. The most common is secondary otitis media, which develops as a result of a pet becoming infected with mites, allergies, hormonal imbalance, etc.

Outer, middle, inner

According to the anatomical distribution of the inflammatory process, diseases of the outer, middle and inner ear are distinguished. Outer form does not affect the eardrum, inflammation is localized outside. Pathology in the middle part of the ear canal can lead to hearing loss for your pet.

Structure of a dog's ear

The greatest danger to the health, and sometimes the life of the animal, is internal otitis. Risk of infection meninges, the development of sepsis in the internal form of the disease increases significantly.

According to the nature of the contents, purulent, catarrhal and exudative otitis media. In veterinary practice they often deal with purulent form illness. In this case, the discharge is oily in nature and has an unpleasant odor. Purulent exudate can penetrate into deep tissue, leading to the development of meningitis, sepsis and threatening the life of the pet. Catarrhal otitis media is rare. In the exudative form of the disease there is increased production earwax.

Purulent otitis media

Infection of the hearing organs with pathogenic fungi - otomycosis, is characterized by intense tissue damage. The causative agents of the fungal form of the disease quickly penetrate from the outer ear into the middle and inner. The clinical picture is clear. The animal is very worried and experiences acute pain.

Fungal otitis media

Bacterial

Activation of opportunistic microflora and penetration of bacteria into the ear canal leads to the development of a bacterial form of otitis. The disease is often accompanied by hyperthermia. At visual inspection Crusts, scabs, and blood clots are found.

Allergic

A common form of otitis in dogs is allergic. The disease does not respond to antibiotic therapy. In addition, in addition to the ears, scratching of other parts of the body is observed.

Allergic otitis media

Verrucous

A special form of the disease is warty. Inflammation develops as a result of the growth of numerous growths in the auricle, which eventually close the ear canal.

Verrucous otitis media

Chronic and acute

Based on the intensity of clinical signs, veterinarians distinguish between acute and chronic otitis media. Acute form is characterized by the rapid development of inflammation and is usually manifested by severe pain and the development of fever. The chronic course occurs with vague symptoms and is typical for dogs with high level immunity, as well as in the case of allergic otitis media.

Diagnosis of the condition

Having discovered clinical signs characteristic of ear pathology, the owner should not hesitate to visit a veterinarian. In addition to visual detection of the problem, the therapist’s arsenal includes: following methods diagnostics:

Otoscopy. Examination of the ear canal using the instrumental method allows us to identify the nature and localization of the inflammatory process and assess the condition of the eardrum. The method allows you to detect a foreign body, neoplasms, polyps, etc.
Laboratory diagnostics. Blood test, microscopic and cytological examination Skin scrapings make it possible to identify the pathogen: determine the type of mite, bacteria, identify pathogenic fungus, and also determine sensitivity to antibiotics.
Radiography. The method allows you to identify neoplasms and polyps.
Magnetic resonance and computed tomography. Modern methods studies are indispensable in assessing damage to the internal structures of the ear and the membranes of the brain by the inflammatory process.

Pet treatment

Considering the variety of forms and types of inflammation, it is strictly forbidden to self-medicate for ear problems in your four-legged friends. Only a qualified specialist should treat a sick pet based on laboratory tests.

Therapy for otitis in dogs is complex and has a local and general focus. Antibacterial drops and ointments that have an anti-inflammatory effect are used locally. The drugs relieve swelling and reduce itching. In veterinary practice, the following drops are prescribed for inflammation of the ear canal: Otipax, Sofradex, Tsiprovet, Aurizon, Otoferonol, Otinum and others. Remedies are selected based on the root cause of the disease.

Drops should only be prescribed by a veterinarian, since some products contain antibiotics that have an ototoxic effect and are contraindicated if the eardrum is damaged.

The general effect on the body during otitis is the use of antibiotics, sulfonamides in the form of tablets, intramuscular injections. Antimicrobial agents are used according to a sensitivity test. Drugs such as Amoxicillin, Ceftriaxone (injections with lidocaine), Baytril and others are effective for otitis media.

In order to increase immunity, a sick pet is given a course of immunomodulators. Drugs such as Anandin, Roncoleukin, Gamavit are prescribed. The use of Cycloferon and Immunofan gives good results.

If the cause of otitis is neoplasms, growths, or polyps, they are removed surgically.

Getting rid of inflammation at home

Therapeutic measures can be carried out by the owner at home, subject to strict adherence to the prescriptions of a veterinary specialist. The success of treatment largely depends on proper preparation of the inflamed area for the use of drugs.

Before administering prescribed medications to your pet, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the auricle and passage of dirt, purulent masses, and accumulation of earwax. For this purpose, antiseptic agents are used: chlorhexidine, miramistin, boric acid. Hydrogen peroxide is used only to cleanse the outer ear.

Special wipes are suitable for the cleaning procedure. Ear sticks are not used in animal hygiene.

Prevention

Based on many years of medical practice, veterinarians have developed a set of preventive measures that allow owners to avoid ear problems in their four-legged pets:

regularly clean the ear canal of earwax and dirt;
trim the thick fur in the ear;
prevent your pet from getting hypothermic;
during hygiene procedures protect your ears from water;
use only high quality feed;
exclude sweet foods from the dog’s diet;
Have your ears professionally examined at a veterinary clinic twice a year.

And here is more information about cholecystitis in dogs.

Otitis in dogs is a polyetiological disease. The disease causes pain to the pet. In advanced cases, there is a high risk of developing brain inflammation and sepsis. Comprehensive diagnostics makes it possible to clarify the root cause that caused the inflammation. Treatment of the disease should only be carried out under the supervision of a veterinary specialist.

Useful video

To learn how to properly clean a dog's ears, watch this video:

How and with what to treat otitis media in dogs

Otitis in dogs is a fairly common diagnosis, due to the peculiar structure of the auricle. Dog owners often face this problem. Inflammation of the ear brings unpleasant sensations to the animal: itching, pain. In some cases, the animal’s temperature rises, the dog becomes lethargic and refuses to eat.

Otitis media cannot be ignored; you must immediately contact a veterinarian who will prescribe adequate treatment. Timely appeal Seeing a doctor will reduce the risk of the disease becoming chronic, and also prevent the formation of complications.

Causes of otitis media in dogs

To the most common reasons relate:

ear mite;
tumor;
overgrowth of the ear canal;
allergic otitis;
foreign body.

As a rule, the mite affects both ears. The dog begins to scratch its ears intensely. Brown, dry, granular discharge appears. In advanced cases, pus may be observed.

Tumor can form on the auricle or in the ear canal itself. The resulting tumor can cause otitis media if it blocks the ear canal, thereby preventing the ear from “ventilating.” In some cases, the tumors themselves begin to bleed and become inflamed. In this case, surgical intervention followed by conservative treatment is necessary.

Overgrowth of the ear canal in most cases it is noticed in dogs with an excessive number of folds - bulldog, chow-chow, etc. The ear canal, as in the previous case, closes completely, which interferes with ear ventilation. As a result, inflammation occurs. treatment is impossible without surgical intervention- excision of ear folds.

Allergic otitis media often occurs in case of allergies, hormonal imbalance. This can occur in the case of abundant earwax secretion, intensive proliferation of microflora and fungi. The dog begins to intensively scratch the ear, it turns red. Sores may appear from scratching. Brownish, pasty discharge mixed with pus appears.

Foreign body is also one of the most common causes of otitis media. In most cases, insects, blades of grass, plant seeds, etc. get into the animal’s ear. An ingested foreign body causes inflammation of the ear. As a rule, a foreign body causes unilateral otitis media. In this case, the dog does not allow you to touch his ear, clean it, and tilts his head to one side. A clear discharge mixed with pus or blood may form. The foreign body must be removed.

Recognizing inflammation is not such a difficult task. The following symptoms of otitis media in dogs can be identified:

the dog scratches its ear much more often than usual;
shakes his head frequently;
purulent discharge from the ear with an unpleasant odor;
the dog does not allow you to touch his ear;
the dog looks tired and loses its appetite;
tilts his head to the side.

Direct examination may reveal redness of the external auditory canal. If the inflammation is in an advanced stage, the animal experiences an increase in the submandibular lymph nodes.

If you notice at least one of the above symptoms in your pet, immediately contact your veterinarian, who will conduct an examination and prescribe adequate treatment.

Do not self-medicate under any circumstances. The health of your pet depends entirely on your responsibility.

Dog owners should make it a rule that self-medication can lead to undesirable consequences. Entrust your dog's health to professionals.

First of all, the veterinarian will take a sample to study the microflora. Then, using a special funnel, determine the amount of ear secretion and what type it is. Based on the data obtained, a diagnosis is established, which is classified into:

primary - in the absence of any diseases;
secondary - inflammation is one of the parts of the underlying skin disease;
idiopathic.

Regardless of the classification of the disease, the ear canal is washed. If there are any crusts in the ear cavity, they are carefully removed using a 2% solution of salicyl-tannin alcohol. Then the ear is washed with a syringe. If there are foreign bodies, they are removed with special forceps. Generally speaking, the doctor uses all means to ensure visibility of the ear canal cavity.

Having found out what caused the inflammation, a specific treatment for otitis media in dogs is prescribed.

Allergic otitis media, as a rule, develops against the background of allergies to various types of foods, plants, etc. The animal develops skin itching and bacterial growth. Purulent discharge also appears. One of the important elements of treatment in this case is hypoallergenic diet which must be followed for 3 months. To relieve inflammation and eliminate skin itching, local medications are prescribed.
Purulent otitis in a dog is manifested by an oily, unpleasant-smelling secretion discharged from the ear. If you start the process of treating purulent otitis in a dog, ulcerative processes may begin, and subsequently perforation of the eardrum. During the treatment, solutions of hydrogen peroxide and chlorhexidine are used. Antibiotics are also prescribed for otitis media in dogs. Drugs of the type Otosporin are prescribed.
The fungal form of otitis is more common than the others. Oddly enough, fungi are constantly present in the animal’s body, but under certain circumstances they can cause inflammation. In this case, the ear canal is treated with phosphoric acid esters. On initial stage The disease is prescribed treatment with Gaselan 2%.
How to treat otitis in a dog if the inflammation is caused by seasonality? During certain periods, there is a sharp increase in the production of earwax in the ear, which leads to the formation of crusts and plugs. Against this background, a bacterial infection may develop. in this case, otitis drops for dogs with topical antibiotics are prescribed, as well as drugs like Otifree.

Be careful and very responsible in treating your pet.