Otitis medications
Otitis externa is most commonly caused by bacteria, fungi, or both and this indicates which product should be used.
Other Ear Canal Problems
Other ear canal problems include parasites (Otodectes), yeast, inflammation, allergies, neoplasia and certain systemic diseases.
Precaution
Warn clients that there is always a possibility of a reaction to an ear med (allergy) and if there is excessive redness or itching, to discontinue the product. Many treatments and cleaning agents include drying agents and those to change the pH inside the ear canal.
Ear Anatomy
The ear is divided into 3 parts: outer, middle, and inner. The outer ear consists of the pinna and the external auditory canal. The latter leads down to the ear drum (tympanic membrane). This is the only part of the ear typically visualized and treated and examined by the veterinarian or client.
Otitis Externa
Otitis externa is inflammation of the external auditory canal and sometimes the pinna. Many things, including bacteria, parasites, yeast, allergies, systemic disease, and neoplasia, can cause otitis externa. Clinical signs include head shaking, ear scratching, and discharge from the ear. Dogs with long pendulous ear flaps tend to have more chronic and severe ear problems.
Most veterinary staff use the term "otitis externa" to simply imply that the external auditory canal of the ear has an infection or infestation rather than just inflammation.
Medications
Topical preparations for the ears are often combinations of different types of drugs such as an antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antipruritic, and anti-inflammatory. Other preparations include cleansers, drying agents, and cerumen (ear wax) dissolvers. When educating clients about cleaning the ears and using otic medications, you must clearly show them how to properly clean the vertical canal of the ear and insert the medication.
