The external ear canal may exhibit presence of hyperemia, ulceration, ceruminous or suppurative discharge, masses, stenosis, glandular changes, or foreign bodies. Evaluation for otitis and its diagnosis is based on ear canal palpation, visual inspection of ears, including otoscopic examination, and cytological analysis of otic contents.Ĭhanges to the ear pinna may include alopecia, excoriation, crusting, erythema, and hyperpigmentation. Otitis externa is common in dogs, and may be unilateral or bilateral. Client education and regular follow-up evaluations are key to prevention of end-stage ear disease.Ĭlinical diagnosis and etiological factors These changes are indicative of end-stage ear disease, that can usually be avoided with appropriate therapy for secondary and primary disease early in its progression. Severe glandular changes, fibrosis, stenosis, and calcification along the external ear canal lead to patient discomfort as well as progression of otitis from acute to chronic, and from straightforward to complicated otic disease. Repeated bouts of inflammation and infection can cause secondary changes in the ear canal that can ultimately lead to further lack of success in treating otitis, and possible end-stage ear disease. Typically, underlying primary factors as well as predisposing and perpetuating factors are at play, including secondary otic infection. Some dogs appear to develop an allergic response to Malassezia spp., leading to significant discomfort and pruritus.Īcute and uncomplicated otitis externa can often be treated successfully, but chronic or recurrent otitis externa is more challenging. Malassezia yeast is another common component of otitis externa in dogs. Some bacteria such as Staphylococcus and Pseudomonas may produce biofilm, which can lead to persistence of infection despite adequate therapy, as the biofilm needs to be disrupted for any antimicrobial therapy to be effective in clearing the infection. Other bacteria commonly associated with otitis include Pseudomonas, Proteus, Enterococcus, Streptococcus, and Corynebacterium. The bacteria most commonly isolated from ear canals of dogs affected by otitis are Staphylococcus spp. These changes usually result in increased cerumen production along the external ear canal, which contributes to increase in local humidity and pH of the external ear canal, thus predisposing the ear to secondary infection. Changes that occur in the external ear canal in response to chronic inflammation may include glandular hyperplasia, glandular dilation, epithelial hyperplasia, and hyperkeratosis ( 1). Otitis externa may be acute or chronic (persistent or recurrent otitis lasting for 3 months or longer). Otitis externa is an inflammatory disease of the external ear canal, including the ear pinna.
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