Chronic and recurrent otitis is Management of Otitis frustrating! • Otitis externa is the most common ear disease in the cat and dog • Reported incidence is 10-20% in the dog Lindsay McKay, DVM, DACVD and 2-10% in the cat
[email protected] • It is a common reason for referral to VCA Arboretum View Animal Hospital dermatology specialists and very common clinical problem for general practitioners 1- Primary causes- directly Breaking down the problem induce otic inflammation • ALLERGIES (atopy and food allergies) • Step 1- Identify the primary cause of otitis • Parasites (Otodectes cyanotis, Demodicosis) • Step 2- Assess for predisposing factors of • Masses (tumors and polyps) otitis • Foreign bodies (ex plant awns, hair, • Step 3- Treat the secondary infections ceruminoliths, hardened medications) • Step 4- Identify the perpetuating factors of • Disorders of keratinization (hypothyroidism, otitis primary seborrhea, sebaceous adenitis) • Immune mediated disease (pemphigus, juvenile cellulitis, vasculitis) What are most common causes of 2- Predisposing factors of ear disease recurrent otitis…. • These factors facilitate inflammation by changing • Allergic disease in the dog- over 40% cases environment of the ear! in one study • Ear conformation- stenotic • Polyps and ear mites in the cat canals, hair in canals, pendulous ears • Excessive moisture or cerumen production • Treatment effects- irritation from meds/contact allergy or trauma from cleaning 1 3- Secondary bacterial and/or 4- Perpetuating factors- prevent yeast infections the resolution