Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Middle ear fluid common in brachycephalic dogs before airway surgery
By Schuenemann, Riccarda et al.·Published in Tierarztliche Praxis. Ausgabe K, Kleintiere/Heimtiere·2022·Department for Small Animals, Germany·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Prevalence and characterization of middle ear effusion in 55 brachycephalic dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of brachycephalic dogs, specifically French Bulldogs and Pugs, were found to have middle ear effusion (fluid buildup in the ear) during CT scans before surgery for breathing problems. About 32% of the dogs had this issue, with the majority showing either mucoid or serous fluid. In many cases, the fluid contained inflammatory cells, and nearly half of the samples tested positive for bacteria. This suggests that if your brachycephalic dog is undergoing surgery for airway issues, they might also have ear problems that need attention.
People also search for: brachycephalic dog ear problems · French Bulldog middle ear effusion · Pug ear fluid treatment
Abstract
OBJECTIVE:  Multiple, breeding-related malformations of the skull of brachycephalic dogs are well-known. Whereas the eye-catching deformities of the nose that lead to dramatic respiratory problems are obvious, changes of the middle ear are often an incidental finding on CT examinations and usually clinically inapparent. The objectives of this work were to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of middle ear effusion in brachycephalic dog breeds presented for multilevel surgery of upper airway obstructions. MATERIAL AND METHODS:  Brachycephalic dogs with incidental middle ear effusion detected on CT scans obtained prior to surgical treatment of brachycephalic airway syndrome were prospectively enrolled. A perendoscopic tympanocentesis followed by macroscopic description, microscopic cytology and bacteriological analysis of the fluid was performed. RESULTS:  Prevalence of middle ear effusion in all dogs presented to the department during the study period was 55/170 (32 %) in 86 middle ears. The only breeds suffering from MEE were French Bulldogs (FB) with a prevalence of 35/66 (53 %) and Pugs with a prevalence of 20/79 (25 %). Tympanocentesis was performed in 80 ears. In the majority of cases the effusion was either mucoid or serous, with a honey-like or ochre colour.Bacteriology was available for 76 ears and tested positive in 34 (45 %) cases. Cytology was performed in 73 ears and revealed all effusions to contain inflammatory cells with a high concentration in 23 (31.5 %) cases. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE:  Brachycephalic dogs presented for surgical treatment of brachycephalic airway syndrome have a high prevalence of incidental middle ear effusions. Cytological findings differ from previously reported analyses of effusions in Cavalier King Charles spaniels with clinical symptoms of primary secretory otitis media, where usually cell-free effusions are found. A study comparing effusions of brachycephalic dogs with vestibular disease to those found as an incidental condition is warranted.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36100247/