Treatment for Otitis

Otitis Externa Is An Inflammation Of The Outer Ear And Ear Canal

Animals are commonly prone to ear infection, and this is one of the most common manifestations of allergy in dogs. A dog with noticeable allergies to foods, environment or something inhaled might often have ear problems. As a matter of fact, the ear problem may be the first sign of the allergy.

The external ear in animals is longer and deeper than in humans. And also because dogs’ ear canals are L-shaped, fluid does not drain easily from canal openings, and this makes it easier for infection or wax to build up or be hard to remove.

Signs of ear infection include shaking of the head, and scratching at or under the ear. Some animals may also paw the ear or try to rub it on other objects to relieve pain and discomfort. Infections are usually secondary to inflammation or to improper grooming techniques. Ear infections often result in a red ear, dirt in the ear, or a general inflamed appearance. Animals with otitis externa can also develop otitis media.

Treatment Is Usually a Dual Regimen of Ear Cleaning and Ear Medication

Ear cleaning should be done by a veterinarian, due to the risk of pushing infected material deeper into the ear. Cleaning will remove any by-products which lead to further irritation.

The type of infection must be identified by the veterinarian by examining a sample of ear exudate under a microscope, since bacterial infection will only respond to antibiotics, fungal infection to a fungicide, and ear mites to an insecticide medication, and is usually in the form of ear drops. In mild cases, a product with anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and anti-bacterial ingredients are often employed.

MYERS Medical Compounding Pharmacisits Can Provide Treatments to Help

We can prepare a solution of ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid tris (EDTA tris), which is usually instilled into the ear prior to giving antibiotics. It is a neutralizing solution that acts as an antibacterial flush, which removes all dead tissue and pus, so antibiotics can penetrate. EDTA tris is not a licensed veterinary drug. Therefore it is only available from a compounding pharmacy.