Inflammation involving the external ear canal is called otitis externa. It is estimated that up to 20 percent of the dog population in the United States alone suffers from some form of otitis externa. Anatomical features that predispose certain breeds to ear disorders include long, pendulous ears (cocker spaniels), long, narrow ear canals (poodles), and excessive hair within the ear canal which entraps wax and restricts air circulation (poodles). Dogs that spend a lot of time in the water, such as hunting retrievers and spaniels, are also prone to otitis externa. Otitis externa is relatively rare in cats, unless it occurs secondary to trauma or to ear mites.
Since the external canals are nothing more than inward extensions of the skin, conceivably anything that can cause skin inflammation can cause otitis externa. This can include allergies, metabolic diseases (hypothyroidism, seborrhea), trauma, foreign bodies such as grass awns and twigs, and parasites such as ticks and mites. Anal sac disease has even been implicated in cases of otitis externa, even though the exact mechanism of involvement is not completely understood.
Signs of otitis externa involving one or both ears include head shaking, itching, painful ears, person ality changes, and/or odifer ous discharges coming from the ear canal(s). Hair loss might be noticed around the pinnae due to scratching. Aural hematomas might also develop in the wake of such self-trauma.
Diagnosis of otitis externa is based on clinical signs, physical exam, and selected laboratory tests if needed to determine the underlying cause of the inflammation. An otoscopic (ear) exam performed by a veterinarian will help rule out foreign bodies and parasites. This exam is also needed to assess the health of the eardrums. Since many medications cannot be used if the eardrum is torn or ruptured, never attempt to treat otitis externa at home without first having a veterinarian perform this otoscopic exam.
The type of medications prescribed by a veterinarian for the treatment of otitis externa will vary, depending on the nature and extent of the causative agent or condition.
Since the external canals are nothing more than inward extensions of the skin, conceivably anything that can cause skin inflammation can cause otitis externa. This can include allergies, metabolic diseases (hypothyroidism, seborrhea), trauma, foreign bodies such as grass awns and twigs, and parasites such as ticks and mites. Anal sac disease has even been implicated in cases of otitis externa, even though the exact mechanism of involvement is not completely understood.
Signs of otitis externa involving one or both ears include head shaking, itching, painful ears, person ality changes, and/or odifer ous discharges coming from the ear canal(s). Hair loss might be noticed around the pinnae due to scratching. Aural hematomas might also develop in the wake of such self-trauma.
Diagnosis of otitis externa is based on clinical signs, physical exam, and selected laboratory tests if needed to determine the underlying cause of the inflammation. An otoscopic (ear) exam performed by a veterinarian will help rule out foreign bodies and parasites. This exam is also needed to assess the health of the eardrums. Since many medications cannot be used if the eardrum is torn or ruptured, never attempt to treat otitis externa at home without first having a veterinarian perform this otoscopic exam.
The type of medications prescribed by a veterinarian for the treatment of otitis externa will vary, depending on the nature and extent of the causative agent or condition.
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