Diagnosis and medical treatment of otitis externa in the dog and cat : review article

Abstract

Otitis externa is no longer viewed as an isolated disease of the ear canal, but is a syndrome that is often a reflection of underlying dermatological disease. Causes are classified as predisposing (increase the risk of otitis) ; primary (directly induce otitis), secondary (contribute to otitis only in an abnormal ear or in conjunction with predisposing factors) and perpetuating (result from inflammation and pathology in ear, prevent resolution of otitis). Common primary causes include foreign bodies, hypersensitivity (particularly atopy and food allergy), keratinisation disorders (most commonly primary idiopathic seborrhoea and hypothyroidism) and earmites, particularly in cats. A systematic diagnostic procedure is required to identify causes and contributing factors. This should include history, clinical examination, otoscopy and cytology in all cases and culture and sensitivity as well as otitis media assessment and biopsy in severe and recurrent cases. Ancillary tests may be required depending on the underlying cause. Treatment consists of identifying and addressing predisposing and primary factors ; cleaning the ear canal ; topical therapy ; systemic therapy where necessary ; client education ; follow-up ; and preventive and maintenance therapy as required

Vestibular disease in dogs: association between neurological examination, MRI lesion localisation and outcome

“…In addition, dogs with a more severe form of peripheral vestibular syndrome might perhaps be diagnosed with a therapy‐resistant form of otitis media/interna. Such cases often require long‐term and intensive therapy, sometimes additional surgical intervention and in some cases the conditions are not curable at all (Jacobson , Gotthelf , Lorenz et al . ).…”

Evaluation of a single‐administration ototopical treatment for canine otitis externa: a randomised trial

“…1 3-5 Because OE may be caused and perpetuated by multiple factors, combination ototopical products are frequently used as a first-line treatment to combat the various microorganisms as well as the inflammation generally present in dogs at the time of diagnosis. 3 Treatment of canine OE frequently involves a variety of agents with antibacterial, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties, the choice of which is most often driven by findings on otoscopic examination as well as cytological and/or culture results from ear canal exudates. 1 6 In addition to choosing an appropriate antimicrobial agent, successful resolution of OE requires delivery of a sufficient volume of the agent directly into the ear canal to make immediate contact and allow penetration into the cells and fluid within the canal.…”

Patógenos bacterianos en perros con otitis externa y sus perfiles de susceptibilidad a diferentes antimicrobianos

“…As causas da otite podem estar relacionadas a fatores primários, predisponentes e perpetuantes (Jacobson, 2002). Sabe-se que a microbiota auricular normal dos cães é composta por algumas bactérias e leveduras como Staphylococcus sp.…”

“…Segundo Jacobson (2002) deve-se realizar a limpeza do conduto auditivo e utilizar terapia antimicrobiana tópica e/ou sistêmica quando necessário. Deve-se ressaltar que são essenciais para o tratamento da doença e consequente diminuição do uso de terapia empírica o conhecimento do agente etiológico baseado na bacterioscopia, cultura e teste de sensibilidade aos antimicrobianos (Silveira et al, 2008).…”