Download ear infections - Frankfort Animal Care Center

FRANKFORT ANIMAL CARE CENTER
9375 W. Laraway Road * Frankfort, IL 60423
(815)469-9300 * (708)720-1014
EAR INFECTIONS (OTITIS EXTERNA)
Otitis externa is a medical term for inflammation of the ear canal. Symptoms of inflammation/infection
may include: discharge, odor, redness, itchiness. Otitis externa is a clinical sign of an underlying
problem or disease that needs to be evaluated/treated.
Predisposing factors: certain breeds of dogs may be predisposed to otitis externa due to their physical
characteristics. Examples include
 Floppy ears
 Hair in ear canals
 Stenotic (narrowed) ear canals
 Dogs who swim regularly
Primary causes: There are certain diseases or problems which may directly cause otitis externa.
Examples include:
 Food or environmental allergies
 Parasites
 Immune mediated disorders
 Skin irritation from household chemicals or drugs
 Systemic disease
 Foreign object or tumor
Perpetuating factors: There are certain diseases or problems which cause otitis externa secondarily and
may prevent it from resolving. Examples include:
 Bacterial or yeast infection
 Mineralization (hardening) of ear canal
 Damage to the ear cannal
 Inner ear inflammation/infection (otitis media)
Treating the primary cause of otitis is the most important therapy. An appropriate ear cleaner to help
remove wax/debris and an appropriate medication to help control bacterial or yeast infections may be
necessary. In some cases, more aggressive procedures are necessary to control ear infections such as
therapeutic ear flush done under general anesthesia.
Important Note: Many pets have an underlying issue (environmental allergy, food allergy, ear
conformation) that needs to be addressed in order to try and prevent future infections. Ear infections can
be challenging to treat and often require rechecks and good compliance in order to get them under
control and make your pet more comfortable.