Otitis in dogs

The inflammatory process in the ear, or otitis media in another way, can cause discomfort not only to the person. From this disease very often pets suffer, and for their keen hearing and delicate surfaces of the auricle is difficult enough test. If the dog’s ears become contaminated very quickly, from them an unpleasant odor comes out, the animal very often shakes its head and trying to comb his ears, you should show the pet to the vet. Most likely, we are talking about otitis in a dog.

Content

• 1. Types of ear inflammation
• 2. Risk group
• 3. Why otitis media develops in dogs
• 4. Signs of otitis media in dogs
• 5. Diagnosis of the disease in dogs
• 6. Therapy of otitis media in dogs
• 7. Treatment of otitis media in dogs at home
  • 7.1. An example of otitis in the video:
• 8. Preventive measures

Types of Ear Inflammation

Otitis in a dog photo

There are several classifications of the disease. By location otitis infections are divided into:

• External – inflammation affects the external auditory canal, located between the inlet and the surface of the drum eardrums.
• Medium – the inflammatory process penetrates deep into eardrum. It is often accompanied by suppuration – this a form of the disease is called purulent otitis media. With advanced or complicated the form of otitis media is often found inflammation of the external and secondary ear.
• Internal – a severe form of the disease, the lesion is localized in inner ear and very often causes various kinds complications.

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

• Primary otitis media – arises as an independent ailment and proceeds without concomitant diseases.
• Secondary otitis media – inflammation is a complication dermatological disease. Most often, this type of otitis appears on the background of atopic dermatitis, dermatosis, autoimmune diseases, damage to the adrenal glands or thyroid gland.

There is a classification based on the pathogen diseases:

• Chronic otitis media – a complex inflammation that requires consultation specialist. Staphylococci, streptococci provoke him, Pseudomonas aeruginosa as well as E. coli.
• Fungal otitis media (otomycosis) – fungal bacteria mix with earwax, begin to multiply intensively, causing inflammation.
• Bacterial otitis media – pathogenic bacteria often cause the development of otitis media, moreover, one or both ears can be affected.
• Allergic otitis media – develops as a result of an allergy or hormonal disorders.

Risk group

Predisposing factors include hereditary tendency and intoxication with thallium. The connection between rocks and the development of otitis media, as the disease and its course associated with the structure of the auricle.

Most often, inflammation develops in owners of long, hanging ears that are hidden from natural ventilation and are ideal “nursery” for the development and reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms. Among the breeds with a similar problem can be noted Spaniels and poodles.

But not only the owners of such ears can suffer from otitis media. Pets with an auditory meatus too open, such as East European Shepherd Dogs are also victims of frequent inflammatory processes. Their hearing organ is not protected from penetration of pathogenic bacteria.

Why does otitis media develop in dogs

The primary form of the disease can occur after hypothermia, injury to the animal due to malnutrition or helminth infections. There may be many reasons, and if the pet’s immunity is reduced and can not resist, then the disease affects the ears of the dog.

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

Signs of otitis media in dogs

The clinical picture of the disease is as follows:

• the pet is restless, as it feels pain in the ear and itching;
• purulent exudate with nauseous smell, excretion may contain an admixture of blood;
• the pet often tilts its head and shakes its ears;
• the auditory meatus turns red;
• the ear becomes hot by touch, this rises in lesion area;
• tissue swelling occurs in the ear;
• you can feel the enlarged lymph nodes from the side inflamed organ;
• the pet’s appetite decreases;
• the dog is sluggish, does not find a place for itself, can spin to the side inflamed ear.

The following symptoms may occur during severe otitis media in dogs. and complications:

• hearing loss
• development of strabismus;
• the dog is having difficulty eating – hard chewing because of pain;
• exudation from the eyes.

Dog Disease Diagnosis

The treatment of otitis media primarily depends on the etiology of the disease, which is revealed in the process of complex diagnosis. Her carried out in several directions:

• Visual inspection Inspection and assessment of the condition of the external auditory meatus and middle ear with using a special ENT device – an otoscope.
• Laboratory tests. Include general blood test, cytological examination of secretory fluid, the study of biomaterial (exudate, particles of skin) under a microscope on the subject of detection of pathogens, parasites.
• Roentgenography. If laboratory methods do not give a complete picture of the disease, prescribe an x-ray. He is capable to identify the formation of tumors and polyps that provoke frequent the development of inflammation in the ear.
• CT (computed tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance tomography). Some of the most informative modern techniques for revealing an ailment not only in the ear, but also in the tissues of neighboring organs.

Making the right timely diagnosis is half paths to recovery. Veterinarians caution owners not to ignore the condition of the pet and do not treat the disease by yourself.

Therapy for otitis media in dogs

Given the variety of forms and types of ailment, it’s hard not to guess, that there is no single cure for otitis media in dogs. Each variety requires an individual approach:

• Purulent otitis media – carried out without fail antibiotic therapy, affected ears are treated chlorhexidine and hydrogen peroxide.
• Chronic otitis media – involves the use of antibiotics, Dexamethasone compresses are recommended. Drops are also prescribed Candibiotic – a remedy that fights fungi and pathogenic bacteria.
• Fungal otitis media – Gaselan 2%, ear is used regularly processed using phosphoric solution acids.
• Bacterial otitis media – complex drugs with antifungal and antibacterial effects, for example, a drug in the form of a Surolan spray drop.
• Allergic form of otitis media – includes a three-month strict diet, antipruritic drops are prescribed to eliminate itching. If a allergies are permanent seasonal, you can apply antihistamines prescribed by a veterinarian.

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

• Otibiovin;
• Otipax;
• Otophenarol;
• Normax

Camphora oil, aversectin oil is used for local processing ointment, Decta, with a tick-borne lesion – Amit ointment.

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

Excellent anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect drops for ears Otipax, Framycetin.

Treatment of otitis media in dogs at home

It is not recommended to use before visiting a veterinarian any medications. You can only handle the ear a sink using one of the following:

• hydrogen peroxide;
• liquid paraffin;
• saline solution.

Also for these purposes, you can purchase special lotions for cleaning the ears of the animal. If the disease has developed until late stages and crusts formed in the ears of the pet, remove them hydrogen peroxide will help.

It is recommended to process the formed ulcers so as not to an infection has occurred, with brilliant green or Fukortsin. At profuse pus, you can very carefully rinse the affected organ with boric alcohol.

Pet Owners Need To Know Ear Inflammation badly treated, especially in protracted, severe forms. Therefore, it is recommended that you contact your veterinarian at the very first signs of illness.

An example of otitis in the video:

Preventative measures

The owner must take care of the health of his pet, and therefore, to prevent the development of various kinds of diseases. Prevention otitis media consists of the following actions:

• Dog hypothermia should not be allowed;
• after bathing you need to remove excess with a cotton swab water
• regular hygiene routines – daily inspection of the auricles and cleaning a couple of times a week;
• it is required to provide a complete diet of the dog, with necessity supplementing it with vitamin supplements;
• limit contact with other strangers animals;
• if possible avoid pet injuries and stressful situations.

Otitis can cause deafness of the animal, and, in addition, cause a number of irreversible consequences. To prevent this from happening, It’s worthwhile to carefully watch your favorite dog, and not try independently prescribe and conduct therapy.