Dog ear infections: external, middle and internal ear infections.

Dog ear infections are categorised into three groups: external, middle and internal ear infections.  External dog ear infections (also called otitis externa) are the most common.  

This Information below explains the difference and gives some advice on management of chronic ear infections.

Dog Ear Vet

Read more about external ear infections (otitis externa)

Hills Pet Nutrition Client Information Series: Otitis Externa, Media, Interna

What You Should Know About Otitis Externa, Media, Interna

The ear is divided into four parts: the pinna, which is that part of the ear outside the head; the external ear canal; the

middle ear, which is found on the inside of the eardrum; and the inner ear, which consists of tubes and nerve structures

that transmit sound to the brain. The inner ear also helps control your pet’s balance.

Animals with droopy ears and a great deal of hair in the ear canal seem to have the most problems with ear

inflammations. These characteristics plus the warmth and enclosed nature of the ear canal provide an excellent

environment for infective agents that cause inflammation.

Causes

Bacteria, fungi, and ear mites are common causes of ear inflammation in dogs and cats. Allergies, seborrhea, an

underactive thyroid gland, trauma, foreign objects (plant seeds, for example), and tumors also cause ear inflammation.

Otitis Externa, Media, Interna

Your pet has an inflammation of the external, middle, or inner ear. Ear inflammations are common in pets

and have many causes. Most ear inflammations can be treated successfully and specifically with medications

after appropriate diagnostic tests are completed. Surgery may be necessary for advanced cases. This client

education sheet will help you learn more about these inflammations and will review your veterinarian’s

instructions for your pet’s care at home.

Otitis Externa, Media,

Interna

History

Physical examination

Ear examination

Ear cultures

Thyroid hormone levels

Intradermal skin testing

X-rays

Therapeutic trials with

insecticides and

hypoallergenic diets

Therapeutic Plan

Removal of ear-canal hair

Ear cleaning

Topical application of

antibacterials/corticosteroids

Systemic antibacterials

Systemic corticosteroids

Surgery

Nutritional Plan

Nutrition based on individual

patient evaluation including

body condition and other

organ system involvement or

disease

Otitis Interna

Neurologic changes

Head tilt and circling

Inflamed inner ear structures

Otitis Externa

Inflamed,

reddened ear

Otitis Media

Inflammatory exudates

in the tympanic bulla

Partial occlusion of the

ear canal due to cellular

hyperplasia

Inflammatory exudate

Osteomyelitis due to the

infectious process

Most cases of middle ear and inner ear inflammation are caused by bacteria that pass through a ruptured eardrum.

One cause of a ruptured eardrum is overzealous cleaning of the ear canal. Throat infections may also cause middle ear

inflammations.

Diagnosis

Examination of the ear canal and eardrum by your veterinarian with an instrument called an otoscope helps determine

the cause. If the ear is very painful, your pet may need to be sedated for a thorough exam. Other tests include

microscopic examination of earwax; ear cultures; thyroid hormone studies; x-rays; surgical biopsy; and therapeutic trials

with parasiticides and hypoallergenic diets.

Treatment and Home Care

Disease of the ear must be treated persistently and specifically. Specific therapy includes parasiticides for ear mites,

thyroid hormones for an inactive thyroid gland, antibiotics for infections, anti-inflammatory medication and hypoallergenic

diets for allergies, and removal of foreign bodies and tumors. In some cases, therapy may need to be continued for six

weeks or longer.

In most cases, the ear will need to be cleaned by your veterinarian and the hair from the ear canal removed before

therapy will be effective. The use of medications to dry the ears is helpful. Surgery may be necessary if the ear canals

are closed, if tumors are present, or if fluid is present in the middle ear.

Home care usually includes administering medications directly into the ear canal. These medications should be

instilled into your pet’s ear(s) according to your veterinarian’s instructions. Once instilled, the medication should be

massaged gently into the ear canal. If you cannot give medications as directed, call your veterinarian. Failure to properly

administer ear preparations could lead to chronic inflammation.

Nutritional Plan

If your pet has an ear inflammation, your veterinarian may suggest a dietary change. Animals with suspected

allergies to food that result in skin and ear disease may benefit from a fixed-formula dietary product formulated from

nutrients to which they normally are not exposed. Such foods include Hill’s® Prescription Diet® Canine and Feline d/d®

and z/d. If your pet has had surgery to correct chronic ear disease your veterinarian may recommend a diet with

increased levels of protein and energy to assist in your pet’s recovery. Such foods include Hill’s® Prescription Diet®

Canine and Feline p/d®.

Transitioning Food

Unless recommended otherwise by your veterinarian, gradually introduce any new food over a seven-day period. Mix

the new food with your pet’s former food, gradually increasing its proportion until only the new food is fed.

If your pet is one of the few that doesn’t readily accept a new food, try warming the canned food to body temperature,

hand feeding for the first few days, or mixing the dry food with warm water (wait ten minutes before serving). However, do

not add water to your cat’s food. Feed only the recommended diet. Do not feed additional salt or any snacks that may

contain sodium. Be patient but firm with your pet.

Presented as an educational service by

Home Care Instructions

Client’s Name: _________________________________________________________

Patient’s Name: _________________________________________________________

Medication(s): _________________________________________________________

Nutritional Recommendation: ___________________________________________________

Follow-Up Appointment: _______________________________________________________ (Hospital Stamp Area Above)

REGULAR VISITS WILL HELP OUR VETERINARY HEALTH CARE TEAM PROVIDE FOR YOUR PET’S BEST INTEREST.

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