Three dogs with tumors in both ear canals causing ear infections

Abstract

Bilateral ear canal infections are common in dogs. They are caused by different predisposing factors, such as allergies, keratinization disorders and conformation abnormalities. Ear canal neoplasia is usually associated with unilateral disease. To the best of the author's knowledge, bilateral aural neoplasia has not been reported in dogs, and only four case reports were found in the human literature. This report presents three dogs that had bilateral tumours in their ear canals. They were presented with bilateral otitis externa. All three dogs exhibited proliferation of both ear canals that did not respond to glucocorticoids. Treatment consisted of total ear canal ablation and tissues were submitted for histopathologic evaluation. Case 1 (10‐year‐old male cocker spaniel) was diagnosed with cerumenous gland carcinoma. Cases 2 and 3 were diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma. Case 1 was diagnosed 3 years earlier as having a keratinization disorder responsible for the chronic ear disease. Case 2 (5‐year‐old female French bulldog) was diagnosed 4 years earlier with atopic dermatitis, which did not respond to hyposensitization and only partially responded to glucocorticoid therapy. Case 3 (9‐year‐old male German shepherd) was diagnosed 2 months earlier with unilateral ear canal proliferation; however, otoscopic examination showed bilateral proliferation that obstructed both canals. In summary, bilateral ear canal neoplasia should be considered in cases of nonreponsive, proliferative aural pathology. Funding: Self‐funded.