Did you know that ear problems are the third most common reason for a visit to the vet? Therefore, it is very important to know how to prevent the different types of otitis to provide a healthy life for your pet.
To learn more about the different types of otitis, how to prevent it and how to treat it at home, keep reading! Learn more about this disease to alert other guardians, friends and family!
What is otitis in animals?
Canine or feline otitis is the medical term used for inflammation with or without infection of the ear canal in dogs. It can be classified in several ways: by anatomical location, duration and causative agent.
Regarding the anatomical location, the disease can be classified as external, middle or internal. This differentiation depends on the region of the ear where the disease occurs, and is not related to the origin of the problem. Learn about the specificities of each of these types of otitis below.
- Otitis externa: This is the most common type. It develops in the tissue that covers the ear canal of cats and dogs. This is the region of the cone, which goes from the external environment to the eardrum. Treatment is easier, since the disease is less serious.
- Otitis media: develops in a deeper region of the ear, located behind the eardrum. It can affect the tympanic nerve, the auditory tube, the tympanic cavity and the auditory ossicles (malleus, incus and stapes).
- Otitis interna: affects even deeper structures of the ear, such as the cochlea, vestibule and semicircular canals, which make up the labyrinth. It is a more serious form that, if not treated correctly, can affect the central nervous system, causing meningitis and osteomyelitis.
Causes of otitis in animals
So, what are the causes of the different types of otitis in animals? Ear infections in dogs and cats can have more than one origin. The disease is usually caused by fungi, bacteria, excess earwax, allergies or mites.
To find out exactly what is causing the otitis , it is necessary to perform specific tests, such as parasitological tests and cerumen cytology. However, the color and odor of the ear secretion can be an indication of the cause.
In this context, rusty wax with a sour odor indicates that the infection is probably caused by bacteria. If the color is brown and smells like foot odor, it may be caused by fungi. Mites cause the secretion to look like fine, blackish flour.
What are the symptoms of otitis?
Generally speaking, it is easy to recognize a symptom of otitis externa. The pet begins to show clear signs of discomfort and itching in the ear region. In addition, he appears dejected and shakes his head more frequently. Learn about the main signs:
- itch;
- redness;
- thickening of the skin of the ear;
- bad smell in the head region;
- apathy.
Be aware of these symptoms and pay attention to the secretion coming out of your pet’s ear. It is normal to find some of this substance in the ears, but it changes as the type of otitis progresses. Generally, this wax tends to become more voluminous and take on a different color over time.
However, when it comes to other developments of otitis in animals , the symptoms are quite different. On average, the pet may present with a tilted head, paralysis of the facial nerve and “drooping” of the ear, known as auricular ptosis.
In the case of otitis interna, the pet may have the signs of the media plus intense salivation, imbalance, disorientation and sudden deafness. The deeper the process, the more severe the symptoms.
Diagnosis and treatment
The diagnosis is made by the veterinarian based on observation of the animal and the symptoms it presents. Simple complementary tests , such as otoscopy, or complex tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging, may also be performed.
Treatment varies depending on the location of the otitis and its cause. The professional may prescribe topical medications and cleaning the inflamed ear with a cerumenolytic , as well as oral medications such as antibiotics, anti-inflammatories and analgesics.
How to prevent otitis?
The first step to preventing any form of feline and canine otitis is to take your pet for regular check-ups with the vet. In addition, it is essential to follow the vaccination and deworming schedule.
Prevention also involves cleaning your pet’s ears properly — a routine that should be done regularly. The recommended frequency of cleaning is every 7 to 15 days for dogs and monthly for cats .
To clean the ear, you can use earwax removers or veterinary ear cleaning lotions. Simply apply the amount indicated on the packaging, wait around 45 minutes and remove the excess wax with a clean cotton pad.