Fall ear flare ups have come and we are in the cleaning mode. Ear problems are one of the most common reasons that dogs visit Veterinary hospitals (5 to 20% of the canine population suffers from ear disease). Cats have relatively fewer ear diseases (only 2% of the feline population suffers from ear disease). Management of diseased ear canals in dogs and cats seems to be more of a problem when the weather changes. Chronic ear problems are frustrating for owners and veterinarians, but more importantly, are a source of pain and discomfort for our pets.
A phone conversation might go like this. "Oh Doctor, could you kindly sell me something to treat my dog's ear mites. I have been treating them for a couple of months now. Actually, they return every year at this time. It's not really that bad, a friend told me that her sister knows that if you treat those ear mites every once in a while, you will be all set." Also, my third cousin's father is a Veterinarian. She told me that they used to put a little kerosene, No... maybe it was diesel fuel, in the ear to care for that problem. Do you remember which?" "Sorry, but we should really examine you pet before we advise you to put anything that might damage your animal's ear canal or worse yet cause premature deafness! I don't like to recommend medication until we find out what is causing the problem.
It is important to know that skin lining the outer cartilage and vertical and horizontal canals of ears is similar to skin on the rest of the animal. Many ear diseases are simply extensions of more generalized skin disease. Dogs and cats with black, crusty, itchy ears less than six months old most likely have ear mites (Otodectes). However, adult animals with red, itchy ears probably do not.
Inflammation (redness, heat, swelling, pain) of the ear canals is called otitis externa. Dogs and cats with otitis externa shake their heads and sratch at their ears. Odor and ear discharge varies from a small amount to fluid pouring from the ears. Primary factors that cause otitis externa are foreign bodies (plant awns, dirt, burrs), hyposensitivities (to food, medicine, or seasonal allergies), external parasites (mites, ticks, etc.), hormone imbalances (hypothyroidism), and autoimmune diseases. Factors that make ears susceptible include: long pendulous ears, hair in ear canals, increased moisture in ear canals. Bacteria and/or yeast then find a super environment to set up house keeping and continue the problem. Accurate diagnosis is important if you want to solve the problem. That may include microscopically examining a swab of the ear canal or culturing the discharge.
Our goals of treatment are to remove the primary factors, reduce inflammation, eliminate excessive bacteria and yeast, and clean and dry the ears. Effective medicine can only be prescribed when we know what is causing the problem. Remember, the longer it takes to treat a problem, the greater the risk of having middle and inner ear disease. Maintenance ear care is a valuable way to prevent acute and chronic ear disease. Ear canals must be kept free of hair mats, wax, dirt, and other debris. Ear cleaning is usually best accomplished with an inexpensive topical solution that breaks wax down and flushes it out of the ear. Most cases of otitis externa can be initially treated in the office and sufficient cleansing can be achieved at home by trained owners. Topical medications are then applied one to two times daily. Many topical ointments contain antibiotics, antifungal agents, and a steroid. The steroid component is probably the most important because it decreases ear secretions, reduces swelling, and prevents thickening of the ear canals.
Remember, undesirable odor and chronic scratching at the ears may not be ear mites. Have you veterinarian check those ears out! Make sure you know when the problem started, if it has progressed, if there is pain and scratching, what medications your animal is on, what type of food he or she eats, and if your pet has been in contact with any unusual substance. A good history goes along way to "Sherlock Holmes" the primary cause of ear disease.
Mark W. Richards, MS, PhD, DVM