Companion Animal Medical Guidelines – Ears
Otitis Externa
DIAGNOSTICS
Cytology should be performed to look for bacteria and inflammatory cells. Common bacteria are S. pseudintermedius, Proteus spp., Corynebacterium spp., E. coli, Pasteurella spp., Bacillus spp., and Pseudomonas spp23,24. Culture and susceptibility testing is recommended when:
- Rods are seen on cytological specimens
- Chronic or recurrent disease
- Response to treatment is poor
Identification of an intact tympanic membrane is important in selecting therapy and may require general anaesthesia and flushing. Collect samples for cytology and culture prior to flushing.
If chronic or recurrent an underlying cause should be considered. Foreign bodies (grass seeds) can be easily missed. Atopy and anatomical anomalies are also common.
TREATMENT
Flushing of the ear canal is very important as wax and exudate reduces the efficacy of topical therapies. Flush with warmed sterile saline under controlled pressure. Systemic antimicrobials are frequently ineffective and are usually only indicated if the middle or inner ear is involved or if topical therapy is not possible due to ear canal ulceration or risk of toxicity.
Non-ototoxic agents: Chlorhexidine, Tris-EDTA
Ototoxic agents: Polymixin B, aminoglycosides (gentamicin, neomycin)
Less ototoxic antimicrobials: Fluoroquinoles
| Mild otitis externa (cocci) | Topical antibacterial cleaning agents alone or with topical antimicrobials | |
| Severe otitis externa (cocci) or mixed infection (cocci and rods) | Topical cleaning agents not sufficient alone, fucidic acid and framycetin combinations with or without gentamicin | Perforated tympanic membrane: Ear flushing and non-ototoxic cleaner, avoid topical antimicrobials |
| Otitis caused by rods (not Pseudomonas) | Topical cleaning agents not sufficient alone, polymixin B, gentamicin or enrofloxacin | Perforated tympanic membrane: Ear flushing and non-ototoxic cleaners may be sufficient, enrofloxacin if topical antimicrobials are needed. |
| Otitis caused by Pseudomonas | Can be multi-resistant, guide therapy off culture and susceptibility. Local therapy is very important. Polymixin B, gentamicin or enrofloxacin. | Perforated tympanic membrane: Ciprofloxacin |
| Otitis media | Topical antimicrobials should be avoided. Systemic antimicrobials are recommended: amoxycillin / clavulanate, cephalexin or enrofloxacin. |
The evidence
- Zamankhan Malayeri H, Jamshidi S, Zahraei Salehi T. Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of bacteria causing otitis externa in dogs. Vet Res Commun 2010;34:435-444.
- Aalbaek B, Bemis DA, Schjaerff M, et al. Coryneform bacteria associated with canine otitis externa. Vet Microbiol 2010;145:292-298.