Otitis externa in Animals

Ear infections are one of the major health problems in dogs keep an eye out for , especially in dogs that have floppy ears and a fluffy long as Sharpie chow - Chows Chinese , English bulldog , poodle and terrier , cocker spaniel and Springer Spaniel . Survey among veterinarians concluded that ear infections are listed in the top 10 reasons why dogs are usually taken to a veterinary clinic for treatment .

Otitis externa is an infection of the ear in dogs . This common term associated with inflammatory conditions of the ear that distinguish the external ear canal . Affects up to 20 % of the dogs , otitis externa caused by infections which include bacteria, parasites and fungi . Dogs of all ages and gender may have an ear infection especially when several factors are present that cause irritation such as long floppy dog ears , ear normal structure or anatomy , water or too much hair in the ear , allergies , trauma , parasites , and other foreign materials in ear , autoimmune disease , or a common skin disease .

Your dog may have otitis externa affects his active lifestyle . Dog behavioral signs that you may be careful to scratching or rubbing ears , headshaking , or when you kiss an abnormal or foul-smelling discharge in the ear , or if your dog reacts painfully from manipulation ear and when there is redness or swelling in the ear canal . Although ear infections are not really life-threatening health condition , it can cause severe damage to the ear canal . Otitis externa should be identified properly by a veterinarian to ensure dog health problems for several other medical conditions have symptoms similar to some of otitis externa as atopy , skin diseases in dogs , autoimmune diseases such as systemic or discoid lupus erythematosus or pemphigus ; contact allergy , demodicosis , endocrine imbalances , food allergies , foreign objects such as foxtail awns , ear diseases such as cancer , hyperplasia or polyps , ear mite parasites , sebaceous adenitis , seborrhea , trauma and tumors , and zinc - responsive dermatoses --- all of these should be considered prior to ensure that infection is otitis externa .

So , when you suspect that your dog has an ear infection , immediate response should be provided . Make an appointment with your dog's veterinarian for diagnosis of the depth of the case . Among the diagnostic procedures that may apply where the veterinarian including cytology samples ear discharge may be taken to the laboratory for further examination and complete medical history and physical examination focused on the ears and skin . However , because some pets may be advised to undergo some other series of diagnostic tests , especially when the dog has recurrent ear infections , skin abnormalities and other allergic reactions to medication because it may have a poor response to treatment . For example , radiographs or X - ray of the ear canal and the bone may be recommended as well as a CBC or complete blood count and biochemical profile , skin scraping to check if there are parasites that live under the skin tests , allergy that may include other drugs taken by irritation affecting dogs the ear and the last , culture and sensitivity done through further examination of a sample of fluid from the ear to ensure a certain bacteria that affect inflammation expose them to some samples to identify effective antibiotics in killing them .