OTITIS
Otitis means an inflammation of the ear. It may involve the outer ear, middle ear, or inner ear. Often more than one part is infected. Ear infections are often very painful for your pet. Causes of ear infections include ear parasites (mites), injuries, bacterial or yeast infections, matted hair in the ear canals, or foreign objects in the ear canal. Over-the-counter ear cleaners and the use of peroxide to clean the ears by well-meaning owners often causes the infection because the ears cannot properly drain and dry after cleaning. Frequent swimming also can lead to ear infections.
Long, floppy ears are more prone to infection because the area inside the ear canal becomes warm, dark, and moist which is the perfect environment for infections to live. The major problem is that the normal anatomy of the ear does not allow for drainage of ear discharges. Allergies are often involved. While people usually develop hay fever from allergies, dogs get itching and inflammation. The head, face and ears are often involved in allergic reactions. Once the ear is inflamed from the allergy it can subsequently become infected.
Signs of ear infections include scratching at the ears and/or shaking the head. Ears are often very red. A foul, smelly discharge is often present if the infection involves the outer ear.
If ear infections are not properly treated, the infection often becomes “chronic” which means it tends to reoccur. Recurrent infections cause the ear canal tissue to change in appearance becoming thick and rough. This often severely impairs hearing causing your pet to become deaf.
The type ear infection must be determined by examination of the ear discharge under the microscope as well as visually inspecting the ear canal and ear drum with an otoscope. Due to the severe inflammation often present, sedation is often required to properly examine and treat the ears.
Middle ear infections often occur as a result of infections ascending through the Eustachian tube from the throat and tonsils. In many of these cases, the outer ear appears to be perfectly normal. This is because the ear drum prevents the infection from escaping from the middle ear.
Treatment varies with the type infection and length of time the infection has been present Chronic infections may require life-long treatment to keep the infection under control. This is why it is so important that you follow directions and treat the ear for a sufficient length of time!
Therapy: Do NOT attempt to clean the ear canal with Q-tips! This only pushes pus and debris further down
into the ear which further blocks drainage. Your veterinarian will probably prescribe ear drops and show you how to properly clean the ear and apply the medication. If the infection is caused by a bacteria your pet may need oral antibiotics as well. Pain medication is also sometimes necessary. If hair, foreign material such as bits of plant parts or solidified wax is present down inside the ear, sedation and thorough cleaning and flushing of the ear may be necessary.A surgical procedure is recommended for pets that have recurrent ear infections. There are two types of surgery that may be done. A Zepp or Zepp-LaCroix procedure involves removing the side wall of the ear canal to improve drainage and air circulation. The other type of surgery is called ear ablation. In this procedure the entire ear canal and middle ear are removed. This surgery is necessary once the ear canal has become permanently calcified and closed by scar tissue from chronic infections. Most dogs who need these types of surgeries are those who have had long term and severe infections. Unfortunately, even with proper care some dogs, especially cocker and springer spaniels and golden retrievers, are so prone to ear infections that surgery is inevitable despite the best efforts of the owners.
