Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Malassezia ear infection in dogs not helped by first treatment
By Boone, Johann M et al.·Published in Veterinary dermatology·2021·Department of Clinical Science and Services, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Malassezia otitis unresponsive to primary care: outcome in 59 dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 59 dogs with chronic ear infections caused by a yeast called Malassezia were brought to a referral veterinary hospital after not improving with regular treatment. Most dogs (91%) saw improvement after a specialized ear flushing treatment, with many recovering within about 27 days. The study also noted that around 17% of these dogs had a middle ear infection at the same time. This suggests that if your dog has a stubborn ear infection that isn't getting better, a more intensive treatment plan could be very effective.
People also search for: dog ear infection treatment · Malassezia otitis in dogs · chronic ear infection in dogs · ear flush for dog ear infection
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Otitis externa (OE) is a common disorder in dogs. Infection by the commensal yeast, Malassezia pachydermatis, may result in chronic disease that does not respond to standard primary care. Chronic infectious OE may be associated with otitis media (OM). HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVE: To report medical management, clinical outcomes and frequency of middle ear involvement, in dogs with Malassezia otitis unresponsive to primary care. ANIMALS: Fifty-nine dogs from one referral veterinary hospital from January 2007 to September 2018. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Retrospective analysis of medical records of dogs referred with chronic otitis and treated for Malassezia otitis at a referral veterinary hospital. RESULTS: Chronic Malassezia OE was treated successfully in 91% of ears, in 87% of these cases with one ear flush intervention. Median time-to-resolution was 27 days after ear flush intervention. Neither duration of otitis, presence of neutrophils in aural discharge nor administration of oral itraconazole affected clinical outcome. Malassezia OM occurred concurrently in 17% of ears. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings assist clinicians and carers of affected dogs in decision-making, by documenting that most cases of canine Malassezia otitis that have not resolved with standard primary care, can be treated successfully with a well-staged and intense medical treatment plan. Malassezia OM should be suspected to occur concurrently in around a fifth of affected ears.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34189776/