Otitis in dogs is a fairly common phenomenon. Most often, such a pathology is observed in the cool season. With untimely assistance, otitis may take a chronic form, which is characterized by a relapsing course. An ear infection can affect the external, middle or internal auditory canal, so appropriate methods are chosen to treat this disease. The causes of otitis media can be various allergic reactions, parasitic infestations, the formation of a tumor in the ear canal, increased sulfur production, as well as foreign bodies entering the ear canal.
The factors that provoke otitis media in dogs include the following: long hanging ears, injuries, water or wool getting into the ear passages, as well as skin and autoimmune diseases. With a unilateral lesion, polyps or other formations may be suspected. If the dog’s ears are improperly cleaned, the shape of the ear canal may be impaired, as a result of which it becomes more susceptible to infections that provoke this ailment.
Symptoms of otitis media in a dog:
- pain in the ear canal;
- secretion of serous fluid, pus or blood from the ear ;
- swelling and redness of the external auditory opening;
- an increase in submandibular lymph nodes on the affected side;
- difficulty chewing;
- soreness when opening the mouth;
- eye discharge;
- squint.
Otitis in dogs can be caused by pathogens such as otodectosis, otodemodecosis, bacterial and yeast infections, hypersensitivity reactions, as well as autoimmune diseases. Each type of infection is accompanied by characteristic symptoms and is manifested by inflammation of varying degrees of intensity.
The chronic form of the disease
In a dog, chronic otitis media can develop with long-term progressive external
inflammation of the ear canal. In this case, a thickening of the epithelium that lines the ear canal, narrowing of the ear canal, as well as increased secretion of the ear exudate, may be observed. In more severe and advanced cases, chronic otitis media in dogs leads to cartilage deformation and ossification of the ear canal. To eliminate this problem, a complete surgical excision of the affected ear tissue is performed, since conservative treatment in this case is ineffective.
Treatment of otitis media in a dog
How to cure otitis media in a dog can only be determined by a veterinarian, taking into account the nature of the occurrence of specific inflammation. First of all, cleaning the ear canal with a special
physiological solution is prescribed
, then therapeutic drops are applied, and after that a long antibacterial course of treatment is prescribed.
If the disease is caused by the formation of a tumor, it is advisable to carry out its surgical removal. Chronic purulent otitis media, which is accompanied by a violation of the integrity of the eardrum, needs regular washing of the ear canal with warm saline.
Systemic drugs and ear drops are prescribed only after a laboratory analysis to identify the parasite that triggered the disease. Do not self-medicate in any case, otherwise the consequences can be the most sad - besides the fact that your pet will lose hearing, it can develop serious brain disorders.