Otitis in dogs: treatment with antibiotics and folk remedies. Types and symptoms of otitis media in dogs. Otitis media problems

Ear problems in dogs are always quite severe because they are difficult to diagnose and treat. Often the owners turn to the veterinarian too late, in which case the question of the probable hearing loss of the animals already arises. Therefore, you should be vigilant and identify the slightest deviations from the norm in the well-being and behavior of the dog. This article discusses otitis media in dogs, its symptoms, treatment and prevention.

Otitis is a disease caused by inflammation of the ear (external, middle or internal). Since the structure of the auditory canal in dogs is very specific, and all its parts are located close to each other, this problem occurs quite often in animals. Below are the main causes of otitis media in domestic dogs.

Ear mite injury

The presence of a tumor

A tumor that has formed in the auditory canal can completely block it, as a result of which the ear cannot be ventilated normally and becomes inflamed. Additional signs of the presence of the disease in this case is a slight ear bleeding.

Foreign body entry

Often, due to inattention, the owners do not notice that some foreign object has got into the ear of their four-legged pet. At the same time, even something small (for example, a bead or a piece of bark) with a long stay in the auditory canal will lead to the development of inflammation.

Allergy Development

Allergic reactions are usually the result of increased levels of earwax production. Another common cause of this form of the disease is an imbalance of microflora and infection with a fungus. The problem is that the treatment of fungal otitis in dogs requires a lot of time, because first you need to identify the type of irritant and only then start fighting it.

Overgrowth of the auditory canal

This problem is typical for dogs with a large number of skin folds (bulldogs, pugs, sharpei, etc.). Part of the skin obscures the ear canal and clogs it, as a result of which fresh air does not enter the ear, and it becomes inflamed.

Varieties of otitis media in dogs

These reasons cause the appearance of several types of ear inflammation in pets.

In accordance with the form of the disease, a scheme is also determined on how to treat otitis in a dog with the greatest efficiency:


Separately, it is worth mentioning such a phenomenon as chronic otitis media. This is an inflammation of the ear, which goes away with periodic exacerbations, and then the disappearance of symptoms. This diagnosis is difficult to eliminate, so the treatment of chronic otitis media in dogs is always long-term and should only be carried out under the supervision of an experienced veterinarian.

Otitis media symptoms in dogs

Every owner is concerned about the question of how to recognize otitis media in a dog before it is too late. Usually this disease is characterized by pronounced symptoms, which include:

Complications after otitis media in dogs

Ear diseases in animals are always fraught with the manifestation of negative consequences already in the process or even after the treatment. The most common complications of otitis media in dogs include:

How to treat otitis media in dogs

The choice of technique, how to cure otitis in a dog, largely depends on the form of the disease. However, the main types of medications used for therapy are roughly the same: gels and ointments, antibiotics in various forms, and ear drops for dogs for otitis, which may include steroids.

Medical treatment of otitis media in dogs

It involves the use of various drugs adapted to different types of disease.

So, malassezial otitis in dogs is treated with the use of topical preparations, in particular, drops. However, it is important to treat the entire skin of the animal with special ointments, gels, since the infectious agents are located there, and if they remain viable, re-infection is possible.

The rarest form of the disease, otitis media in a dog, may require the use of antibiotics (usually in the form of drops) and steroids to achieve the effect of complete recovery. It is important to use these drugs in combination with anti-wax preparations, otherwise the cause of the inflammation cannot be eliminated.

Otitis, formed in connection with the overgrowth of the auditory canal, is treated only by surgery: excess skin is simply excised, after which normal ventilation of the ear is restored.

When asked how to treat purulent otitis in a dog, most veterinarians answer the same way. The therapy is carried out according to the following scheme:


As mentioned above, otitis media is a serious disease that requires mandatory medical intervention. In this regard, any folk recipes can only act as auxiliary methods of help, but not as the main therapy option. The most common home remedies for otitis media in dogs are:

All of the above medicines should be used in combination with veterinary drugs.

So, they usually come with otitis media drops for dogs (Ottipaks, Sofradex, etc.).

Prevention of otitis media in dogs

The most important points of pro otitis in dogs have been identified above: symptoms and treatment that every breeder should know about. However, there are also preventive measures that will help prevent the development of the disease or its complications. These include:

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, and can be their consequence, i.e. one must clearly understand the difference between these two states.

General information about otitis and the causes of their occurrence

Otitis externa

Inflammation of the ear canal causes a lot of inconvenience to the pet, including pain, itching, fever and general malaise. Initially, the structure of the ears in 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 on the body;
  • prone to allergic reactions.

The potential risk group is made up of breeds:

  • German Shepherds;
  • setters;
  • hunting dogs;
  • bulldogs;
  • spaniels;
  • sharpei;
  • bassets;
  • labradors.

In dogs, otitis occurs in the form of:

  • inflammation of the ear canal and outer ear (otitis externa);
  • inflammation of the middle ear (otitis media);
  • inflammation extending to the inner ear (the rarest type of otitis media).


Suppurative otitis media

Otitis media and ear mites


Tumor in the ear

Allergic otitis media

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

The main symptoms of ear problems

There are a number of main signs of otitis media, according to which the owner of the dog will 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;
  • a constant desire to scratch your ears or shake your head;
  • a lot of emitted sulfur (more than usual);
  • any kind of discharge (including purulent) with an unpleasant odor;
  • obvious signs of the inflammatory process - redness, swelling, soreness and an increase in 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;
  • soreness not only inside, but also the entire organ of hearing (the animal does not allow it to be examined);
  • an increase in submandibular lymph nodes with a prolonged inflammatory process;
  • changes in the general condition of the animal - depression, lack of appetite, fever, etc.

In addition to the general symptoms for all ear problems, there are individual clinical signs of otitis, depending on the causes:

  • with otitis media 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 for the prevention of otitis media and before starting the treatment of an existing problem;
  • with ear mites, black-brown groaty discharges are observed, under which bleeding wounds can be observed during their separation. Both sides are usually affected;
  • bacterial or fungal otitis is usually accompanied by purulent discharge and an increase in local temperature. When sowing secretions on nutrient media, a specific causative agent of inflammation can be isolated;
  • with otitis due to tumors or foreign objects, in addition to all the signs, specific causes are revealed - in fact, tumors and foreign things that can only be detected by an otoscope due to their deep location in the ear canal;
  • with otitis media caused by the ingress and stagnation of water, the discharge is always liquid, although of a different nature (purulent, serous, cloudy or transparent);
  • if otitis is allergic, then usually signs of individual sensitivity appear on other parts of the body: urticaria, swelling, itching, etc.

What Hosts Shouldn't Do

  1. You can not self-medicate, because. improperly selected antimicrobials will not help, cause bacteria to become resistant to other agents, and can also cause additional irritation and increased inflammation. If you find any sign that something is wrong with the hearing organ, you should immediately contact your veterinarian! How to treat otitis media depends on the cause of its occurrence, which can only be determined by a specialist.
  1. You should not try to clean the dog's ears with ear sticks - it is impossible to clean the discharge as it should be, and there is also a risk of remaining cotton wool inside the ear cavity. In veterinary clinics, the ears are cleaned with tweezers or a hemostatic clip, which firmly hold the cotton swab and, with a good metal support, allow you to clean out all dirt and secretions.
  1. It is impossible to bury hydrogen peroxide in the ears of a dog - when it reacts with bleeding wounds and pus, it begins to foam strongly, which is perceived by the dog as a loud extraneous noise. The animal from fear can behave inappropriately. Peroxide can only process the auricles from the outside.
  1. 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 by veterinarians (it will run away, hide, bite, etc.).

How to help a dog with signs of otitis media before going to the vet

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

  • carefully inspect the organ of hearing, without causing pain to the dog and without using foreign objects, so as not to cause additional damage;
  • treat the outer surface of the ears with hydrogen peroxide and brilliant green, if there are wounds and scratches on the ears;
  • drip 3-4 drops into the ears with Otinum or Otipax preparations and gently massage the base of the ears (if there are no signs of pain). These are absolutely safe drops for dogs that relieve itching, eliminate pain, dissolve sulfur and soak crusts and plaque in the ear canal (if any). The funds do not give an antimicrobial load, eliminating the risk of developing resistance of the bacteria that caused inflammation before starting antibiotic therapy;
  • after soaking the ear contents and anesthesia, clean the ears with a cotton swab wound around tweezers. The procedure can only be carried out if you have experience in cleaning the ears of a dog! If up to this point you have never done cleaning in your life, it makes sense to wait for a visit to the veterinarian, removing pollution within the visible convolutions of the outer ear. If squelching is felt inside the pus or other contents in the absence of the ability to clean everything, a mixture of streptocide powders with boric acid (1: 5 ratio) is poured into the ear. If the dog wants to shake his head - you need to let her do it! Soaked dirt, secretions and sulfur will move closer to the outer ear, from where they can already be removed on their own;
  • if the dog has an increase in body temperature, you can give Analgin once as an antipyretic - inside 0.5 tab. / 10 kg or intramuscularly 0.1 ml / kg.

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

In special cases, for example, when the auditory opening is overgrown, a reconstructive surgical intervention is performed, during which the ear canal is reshaped.

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

The sequence of medical manipulations:

  1. Ear cleaning. The external ear is cleaned with a swab well moistened with hydrogen peroxide or a 2% solution of salicyl-tannin alcohol. Soak and remove all crusts.
  2. Ear cleaning. The ear canal is cleaned with a swab moistened with a solution of chlorhexidine or after instillation into the ear of prophylactic lotions or drops for cleaning the ears. Lotions and drops well soak the internal dirt, waste products of mites, dried blood, crusts, etc. In the process of cleaning the ears, material is taken for microscopy and bakposev to identify the causative agent of otitis media for the rational prescription of the drug.
  3. Treatment of bleeding wounds with a solution of brilliant green.
  4. With deep scratching and bleeding wounds on the surface of the auricle, the use of wound healing and antiseptic ointments is recommended.
  5. After cleaning the ears, ear drops are used for their intended purpose, depending on the identified pathogen - antifungal, antimicrobial or antitick agents. If it is not possible to identify the pathogen, combined broad-spectrum drops are used to remove mites, fungi and microorganisms.
  6. With purulent otitis of any etiology, general antibiotic therapy is prescribed for a course of 5-7 days.
  7. If signs of general intoxication are observed, droppers with detoxicants are used.
  8. Regardless of the degree of development of the disease and the causes of otitis media, immunostimulating agents are always prescribed.

Consolidated list of drugs for otitis media

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

Prevention of otitis media

For the prevention of otitis, it is enough:

  • trim the hair around the ears to ventilate the ear canal (after prior consultation with a veterinarian);
  • pluck the hairs that grow right inside the ear;
  • do not rinse or treat healthy ears with anything, because this can lead to an imbalance in the microbial balance in the ears;
  • conduct regular examination of the ears independently (weekly) and in the veterinary clinic (once every six months);
  • pay attention to the smell from the ears;
  • make sure that during bathing water does not get into the ears, after swimming in natural reservoirs, remove water from the ears with a cotton swab;
  • do not let the dog ride in a passenger car leaning out the window;
  • do not feed the animal with sweets;
  • monitor allergic reactions by adjusting the diet.

Do not forget that this article is presented for informational purposes and provides an opportunity to understand what treatment can be in different situations. Only an experienced veterinarian can make an accurate diagnosis, therefore it is recommended to contact him at the first signs of canine otitis media.

Otitis in animals what is it, is it contagious, from what, causes, signs, classification, causative agent Pseudomonas aeruginosa, types, diagnosis

Otitis or inflammation of the outer ear is a fairly common disease in animals. If otitis media is caused by a fungus or mites, the disease may be contagious. Otitis caused by a foreign body entering the ear canal, or associated with increased sulfur production or an allergic reaction for other animals and humans is not dangerous.

Otitis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is dangerous because the infection can spread throughout the body. The first signs of otitis media are swelling and redness of the external auditory canal. In this case, the animal often shakes its ears, tilts its head, and experiences pain when opening its mouth. From the ear, secretion can be observed - pus, blood, serous fluid, and so on.

Ear inflammation is divided into 3 categories:
- otitis media;
- otitis media;
- otitis externa.

External otitis is relatively easy to diagnose, it is more difficult to determine the average and internal otitis media. Treatment of otitis media, in addition to antibiotics, includes local treatment of the ear canal and auricle with anti-inflammatory drops.

Otitis in dogs symptoms, how it looks and treatment at home, folk remedies at home

Symptoms of otitis media in dogs are:
- pain in the ear;
- hyperemia of the skin near the ears;
- swelling of the ear canal;
- discharge of purulent secretion, fluid or blood from the ears;
- a bad smell emanating from the ears and so on.

It is not recommended to treat otitis in animals at home with the help of folk remedies. However, on the Internet you can read advice to bury heated boric alcohol or calendula tincture, as well as sunflower or nut oil in your ears.

How and how to treat purulent otitis media in dogs, antibiotics, what drops, drugs for treatment, pills, human medicines and cost, where to buy

An approximate treatment regimen for purulent otitis media in dogs is as follows:
- treatment of the ear canal and the inside of the ear with hydrogen peroxide, and then with chlorhexidine - 2 times a day for 14 days;
- treatment of the inside of the ears with ointments Cortomycetin, Celestoderm or Bapanten - 2 times a day for 14 days;
- instillation into each ear of the dog drops of Genodex, Sofradex or Cefazolin - 3-5 drops of the drug 2 times a day for 14 days;
- at night, bandage turunda. Moisten the swab in a solution: suprastin 1 part, dexametheson 1 part, lincomycin - 2 parts, novocaine - 3 parts. The procedure is done within 14 days.

General treatment includes injections of Synulox and Suprastin, taking Serrat, Liarsin, Mezim and Karsil tablets, as well as novocaine blockade at the base of the auricle.

All of these drugs can be purchased at the pharmacy. The cost of a particular medicine can be found by making an appropriate request on the Internet.

Treatment of otitis in dogs with boric alcohol, boric acid, blockade

For the treatment of mild otitis in dogs, boric alcohol can be used, with the help of which the ears of the animal are cleaned of dirt and secretions.

A warming compress of camphor alcohol diluted in half with water or novocaine blockade at the base of the ear helps to calm the pain.

External, allergic, fungal, bacterial otitis in dogs treatment

For the treatment of otitis externa in dogs, veterinarians usually recommend Vetzyme drops. Treatment of allergic otitis in animals begins with the elimination of allergies. In addition to cleaning the ears, doctors recommend enriching the food of a sick dog with fatty acids.

Fungal otitis is usually treated with 2% Gaselan or dilute phosphoric acid ester.

The most effective medicine for the treatment of bacterial otitis media is Surolan spray.

A corneal ulcer causes pain and suffering to the animal. It can occur in a dog or cat of any age and any breed. Regardless of the cause...

Any infection can cause otitis media in dogs, so it is ubiquitous. The disease of the external and internal sections of the hearing aid affects large pets and small puppies, animals with ears of various shapes. It is advisable for responsible dog breeders to carefully familiarize themselves with the causes of this unpleasant ailment.

Otitis in dogs - symptoms

Veterinarians are constantly faced with a variety of inflammatory processes in the 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 an unpleasant way, forcing the animals to change their behavior. Careful observation and examination of the head quickly helps to detect an infection at an early stage.

How does otitis media present in dogs?

  • Animals shake their heads strangely and often.
  • The skin in the sore spot becomes bumpy with thickenings.
  • Pets react painfully to a simple touch on the head.
  • As a result of a visual inspection, the dog breeder may detect incomprehensible discharge.
  • With otitis in dogs, our four-legged friends often itch, tilt their heads unusually.
  • When you press the ear, squelching sounds are heard.
  • There are strong scratches on the head.
  • The ears of a puppy with otitis media are hot.
  • The disease leads to exhaustion, loss, makes the dog irritable.
  • With otitis in dogs, it is visually easy to notice the redness of the ears.
  • Often there is an increase in the lymph nodes under the jaw.
  • There are signs of pain when opening the mouth.

The causes of this disease are diverse and common, it is difficult to insure and prevent one hundred percent otitis media in dogs. Some breeds are more susceptible to this infection than others. These include animals with long or heavily furred ears, pets with large folds on the head. A small enumeration of the main factors that lead to inflammation of the ear canals will help to understand this unpleasant problem.

Common factors that cause otitis media in dogs include:

  • Pet infection.
  • The presence of a tumor.
  • The structure of the ear canals and head facilitates the spread of infection.
  • Infection of the auricle with fungi or pathogens.
  • Incorrect or rare cleaning of wool and.
  • A foreign body clogged the auricle.
  • lead to the ingress of moisture into the ear canal.
  • An allergic reaction of the body of animals, provoking scratching of the skin.
  • Weakened immunity.

Types of otitis media in dogs

Having found 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 indicate the defeat of one passage, but often a latent inflammation begins in the second shell. Depending on the type of otitis media in dogs, its symptoms and treatment may vary. There are inflammation of the middle and inner ear, there are several external forms of this disease. All types of otitis require immediate timely treatment.

Otitis in dogs of a purulent form is easily detected by a foul-smelling oily secret. 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 drugs are used - antibiotics, fungicides, ointments and creams of the glucocorticoid group.


Allergic otitis media in dogs

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


This otitis refers to skin diseases that can be detected on the mucous membrane with the appearance and increased spread of malassezia pachydermatis fungi in the body. Under normal conditions, microorganisms manifest themselves weakly, in order for inflammation of the inner ear in dogs or the outer shell of the shell to reach critical values, special favorable conditions or weakened immunity are necessary.

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


For a disease of this genus, a special name was coined - otomycosis. It can be an independent problem or appear as a complication of bacterial infections, tick bites, and allergic reactions of the body. Scratching provokes otomycosis, which leads to wounds and abrasions that violate the integrity of the skin. Often they affect animals that have previously suffered from severe infections, four-legged friends with a weakened immune system.

This disease is caused not by a fungus, but by infections in the form of streptococci, staphylococci involved in pathogenesis. They are well affected by neomycin, chloramphenicol, in especially acute cases and relapses, gentamicin is used. Organisms of the Pseudomonas group are eliminated by polymyxin B, glucocorticoids. If chronic otitis in dogs is not treatable, then strong agents are used - sulfadiazine, chlorhexidine, ceftiofur, Tris-EDTA paired with gentamicin.


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


Treatment of otitis media in dogs

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

  • First aid for a dog with otitis:
  • Gauze swabs with chlorhexidine or miramistim are suitable for treating the auricle.
  • To remove sulfur, use hygienic lotions sold in pet stores.
  • If the ear is tightly clogged, then with the help of saline, careful douching is performed.
  • The crust and pus are removed with swabs dipped in boiled water.
  • Then ear medicines are dripped into the passage - Anandin Plus, Sofradex, Otinum.
  • Finish the procedure with a light massage of the auricle, repeat the treatment 2 times a day.

A variety of human antibiotics for otitis in dogs are often used, but it is advisable to prescribe them on the advice of a specialist. Ampicillin is given to animals an hour before a meal or a couple of hours after a meal. The dosage must be observed exactly 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 body weight with a frequency of 8 hours a day, the course of treatment is 5 days.


This tool 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 passed into the middle and inner ear, and the recommended drops in the dog's ears do not help with inflammation. A swab is impregnated with a 10% solution and put into the auditory canal for half an hour. With external otitis, applications are made from dimexide. Wipes soaked in a light solution are applied to the auricle.


An antibiotic is prescribed for the treatment of advanced otitis media. It is administered subcutaneously or intramuscularly, observing the dosage of 1 ml per 10 kg of the pet's weight. It is necessary to observe a 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 pathogenic bacteria.


Levomekol is supplied in the form of ointments, the active ingredient in it is levomycetin, which kills up to 20 types of pathogens. Such preparations for the treatment of otitis in dogs are excellent in the early stages. The ointment enters the ear canal with a swab, which is left for 10 minutes in the diseased ear, where it is absorbed into the skin. Leaving the animal unattended during the procedure is undesirable. Levomikol treatment is repeated 2 times a day.


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Causes of otitis

Faced daily with inflammation in the ear canal, veterinarians identify the following causes of otitis media in dogs:

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

  • allergic reactions. With the development of allergies, chemicals are produced in the body, leading to the fragility of blood vessels and irritating nerve endings. Combing the itchy area with the paws leads to the multiplication of opportunistic microflora and the development of an inflammatory reaction. Often it is the ears of the animal, well supplied with blood vessels, that suffer from a reaction to any allergen.
  • Keeping an animal in unfavorable conditions. Cold, damp, drafty rooms, bad weather, strong winds, rainy weather are common causes of the disease in dogs.
  • Violation of the rules of hygiene and pet care. Irregular cleaning of the ears from sulfur, water ingress during water procedures are common causes of otitis media in dogs. Foreign objects. Seeds and thorns from plants, insects, small objects caught during a walk lead to a violation of the ventilation of the auricle, increased production of protective sulfur.
  • Neoplasms, papillomas, polyps. Formations on the skin have a similar mechanism with foreign objects. By closing the ear canal, polyps or tumors interfere with normal air circulation, they can also spontaneously become inflamed, bleed, which leads to the development of inflammation in the ear canal. Neoplasms can be primary, or formed as a result of otitis media and in this case be secondary.

Canine ear tumor
  • Hormonal abnormalities. Diseases of the organs of the endocrine system - adrenal glands, thyroid and pancreas, pituitary gland, are often accompanied by a violation of the hormonal status. Failure leads to dry skin, itching, peeling, which provokes an inflammatory reaction.
  • The cause of otitis media can be autoimmune diseases when the body starts attacking 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. Long-term studies show that feeding a pet with sweet foods causes excessive formation of earwax, which is a favorable environment for the development of microorganisms.

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

  • Thick hair in the ear. Excess hair reduces the natural ventilation of the ear canal, increases humidity, and intensive production of earwax. These factors lead to the activity of opportunistic microflora and provoke otitis media. The risk group includes dog breeds that are characterized by increased density of wool in the area of ​​​​the ears: lapdogs, giant schnauzers, setters.
  • Features of the anatomical structure. Erect, lop-eared, ears with a lot of folds give their four-legged owner a lot of health troubles. The peculiar structure of the auricle - hanging ears, many skin folds in the region of the outer ear are an ideal environment for the development of inflammation. With this structure, poor ventilation and self-cleaning mechanisms are noted.

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

Breed predisposition to the disease is due to the peculiarities of the anatomical structure of the auricles, the degree of their openness, the presence of many folds, thick wool. According to veterinary statistics, spaniels, sharpei, German shepherds, poodles, bulldogs, and many hunting breeds most often suffer from otitis media.

About the anatomy of the dog's ear and the causes of otitis externa, see this video:

Symptoms of the disease in dogs

The following clinical manifestations testify to the inflammatory process in the auricle in a tailed pet:

  • The dog often shakes its head, tilts it towards the diseased ear, 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 worries, whines and squeals.
  • At the entrance to the ear canal, the presence of crusts, scabs, and loose hair is noted.
  • Turning away the outer ear, you can observe redness, swelling of the tissues. The amount of sulfur produced exceeds its normal content. Often, purulent discharge of an unpleasant odor is found. The exudate may contain blood. Wool in the auricle stuck together.
  • The base of the ear is hot to the touch.
  • With a low level of immunity in a dog, general hyperthermia can be observed.
  • The animal loses its appetite. The thirst persists.
  • The state becomes apathetic, lethargic.
  • With a strong pain syndrome, the dog becomes aggressive, restless.

In severe cases, a sick dog may experience deafness (stops responding to sound stimuli) and strabismus due to a deep development of the inflammatory process that captures adjacent organs.

Types and their features

Veterinarians distinguish between primary and secondary types of the disease. An independent form of otitis media is primary. The most common is secondary otitis, which develops as a result of pet infection with ticks, the development of allergies, hormonal imbalance, etc.

outdoor, middle, indoor

According to the anatomical distribution of the inflammatory process, the disease of the outer, middle and inner ear is distinguished. The external form does not affect the eardrum, the inflammation is localized outside. Pathology of the middle part of the ear canal is fraught with hearing loss for the pet.

  • Otoscopy. The study of the auditory canal by the instrumental method allows you to identify the nature and localization of the inflammatory process, to assess the condition of the tympanic membrane. The method allows you to detect a foreign body, neoplasms, polyps, etc.
  • Laboratory diagnostics. A blood test, microscopic and cytological examination of skin scrapings can identify the pathogen: determine the type of tick, bacteria, identify a pathogenic fungus, and also determine sensitivity to antibiotics.
  • Radiography. The method allows you to identify neoplasms, polyps.
  • Magnetic resonance and. Modern research methods are indispensable in assessing damage to the internal structures of the ear and the membranes of the brain by the inflammatory process.

In a number of studies, the animal is sedated or lightly anesthetized. The diagnosis is established on the basis of a comprehensive examination with the identification of the cause of the disease.

pet treatment

Given the variety of forms and varieties of inflammation, it is strictly forbidden to self-medicate with problems with the ears of 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 with anti-inflammatory action are applied locally. Drugs relieve swelling, reduce itching. In veterinary practice, for inflammation of the ear canal, the following drops are prescribed: Otipax, Sofradex, Ciprovet, Aurizon, Otoferonol, Otinum and others. Means are selected based on the root cause of the disease.

Drops should be prescribed only by a veterinarian, since some drugs in their composition have antibiotics that have an ototoxic effect and are contraindicated in case of damage to the eardrum.

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

In order to increase the immunity of a sick pet, a course of immunomodulators is carried out. Such drugs as Anandin, Roncoleukin, Gamavit are prescribed. Good results are obtained by the use of Cycloferon, Immunofan.

In the event that neoplasms, growths, polyps have become the cause of otitis media, they are removed surgically.

Get rid of inflammation at home

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

Before dripping the prescribed funds to the pet, it is necessary to thoroughly clean the auricle and passage from 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, pollution;
  • cut thick hair in the auricle;
  • prevent hypothermia of the pet;
  • during hygiene procedures, protect the ears from water ingress;
  • use only high quality feed;
  • exclude sugary foods from the dog's diet;
  • twice a year to conduct a professional examination of the auricles in a veterinary clinic.

Otitis in a dog is a polyetiological disease. The disease causes pain to the pet. In advanced cases, there is a high risk of developing inflammation of the brain, sepsis. Comprehensive diagnosis allows you to clarify the root cause that caused the inflammation. Treatment of the disease should take place only under the supervision of a veterinarian.

Useful video

To learn how to properly clean your dog's ears, see this video:

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