Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Aetiology of canine otitis externa: a retrospective study of 100 cases.
- Journal:
- Veterinary dermatology
- Year:
- 2007
- Authors:
- Saridomichelakis, Manolis N et al.
- Affiliation:
- Clinic of Medicine
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
This study looked at 100 dogs with ear infections, known as otitis externa, to find out what might be causing their problems. The dogs ranged in age from 3 months to 14 years, with most being around 4.75 years old, and included more females than males. Certain breeds, like Cocker Spaniels, were more likely to have these infections, which were often long-lasting and affected both ears. The main causes of the infections included allergies, grass awns (which are sharp plant parts), and mites, while other issues like narrowing of the ear canal and eardrum damage were also common. The findings suggest that different factors can contribute to ear infections, and treatment may need to address these underlying causes for it to be effective.
Abstract
The objective of this retrospective study was to investigate in 100 dogs with otitis externa (OE) the possible associations between signalment, history, clinical and laboratory findings and the various primary, secondary and perpetuating causative factors of ear canal inflammation. The age of the dogs ranged from 3 months to 14 years (median: 4.75 years) and they included 45 males and 55 females. Cocker spaniels, Jura des Alpes and Brittany spaniels were significantly overrepresented among dogs with OE when compared to the hospital canine population. In the majority of the cases, OE was chronic-recurrent (63%) or bilateral (93%). Allergic dermatitis (43/100 dogs), grass awns (12/100) and otoacariasis (7/100) were the most common primary causative factors; no primary factor could be incriminated in 32 cases and more than one was found in three dogs. Malassezia spp. (66/100 dogs), cocci (38/100) and rods (22/100) were the secondary causative factors, while ear canal stenosis (38/100) and tympanic membrane perforation-otitis media (25/100) were the most important perpetuating factors. Atopic dermatitis and adverse food reactions-associated OE was more common in females and dogs with a history of pruritic skin disease, while grass awn-induced OE occurred in cocker spaniels and acute cases. Tympanic membrane perforation was less frequent in atopic dermatitis and adverse food reactions-associated OE, but more common when otoscopic and ear canal cytological examination revealed the presence of grass awns and rods, respectively. Finally, cocci overgrowth was positively associated with ear canal stenosis.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17845622/