What can I give my dog for otitis externa?

What can I give my dog for otitis externa?

Topical therapy is the mainstay treatment for otitis externa although systemic use of anti-inflammatory therapy and/or antimicrobial therapy may be indicated for individual patients. Most dogs with otitis, irrespective of its cause, will benefit from anti-inflammatory therapy.

What is the best treatment for otitis externa?

Treatments your GP can provide

• antibiotic ear drops – this can treat an underlying bacterial infection.
• corticosteroid ear drops – this can help to reduce swelling.
• antifungal ear drops – this can treat an underlying fungal infection.
• acidic ear drops – this can help kill bacteria.

How is otitis media treated in dogs?

Antibiotics given by mouth or injection may be prescribed for 3 to 6 weeks if inflammation of the inner ear exists. In longterm otitis media, surgery may be necessary to allow for drainage and adequate resolution of the infection. Otitis media with an intact eardrum usually responds well to antibiotic therapy.

Is otitis externa contagious in dogs?

If parasites, like ear mites, are the underlying cause, they can be extremely contagious. If you have several dogs in your home and one has been infested with ear mites, all of your pets are assumed to be infected and will need to be treated at the same time. A bacterial ear infection can also be contagious.

How do you prevent otitis externa in dogs?

Using drying agents in the ears of dogs that swim frequently and preventing water from entering the ear canals during bathing should minimize softening of the ear canal and decrease the frequency of bacterial or fungal infections in moist ear canals.

Is a dog ear infection an emergency?

An ear infection is an emergency when your pet is in pain, you cannot touch or look in your dog’s ear, the ear is red and swollen, and/or your dog has a head tilt. All ear infections should be examined and treated by a veterinarian.

What antibiotic is good for a dog’s ear infection?

Antibiotics used to treat bacterial ear infections in dogs include:

• Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate)
• Enrofloxacin.
• Cleocin (clindamycin)
• Cefpodoxime.

How long does otitis externa take to heal?

Otitis externa usually clears within a week or so. When otitis externa is short-lasting, it is described as ‘acute otitis externa’. However, sometimes it persists for three months or more and is then described as ‘chronic otitis externa’.

What can happen if a dogs ear infection goes untreated?

Two potential long-term complications of inner ear infection include a permanently altered sense of balance and/or persistent signs of Horner’s syndrome. Your dog may also become permanently deaf in the affected ear. That said, most dogs with otitis interna respond well to medical management.

What is otitis externa in dogs?

The most common disorder of the ear canal in dogs is called otitis externa. This condition occurs when the layer of cells that line the external ear canal becomes inflamed.

What is Malassezia otitis in dogs?

Malassezia otitis, dog Courtesy of Dr. Stephen White. Otitis externa is inflammation of the external ear canal and is a common problem in dogs and cats. Signs can include head shaking, pain, malodor, erythema, erosion, ulceration, swelling, and/or ceruminous gland inflammation.

What are the signs and symptoms of otitis in dogs?

Breed dispositions for otitis reflect those for skin disease (eg, allergies in retrievers and terriers). Clinical signs can include any combination of head shaking, pain with ear manipulation, malodor, exudate, erythema, erosion, ulceration, swelling, or ceruminous gland hyperplasia.

What are the treatment options for yeast otitis media in dogs?

Yeast otitis typically responds well to topical therapy that includes an antifungal and steroid to help reduce inflammation. In addition to stained cytology, otic exudate should be examined for eggs, larvae, or adults of the ear mite Otodectes cynotis and Demodex spp mites in dogs and cats, and Psoroptes cuniculi in rabbits and goats.