Causes of otitis externa in dogs

1. There are many factors that cause otitis externa in dogs, such as friction, scratching, foreign bodies, parasites, especially water immersion, which are common causes of otitis externa.
2. Especially for small long-haired dogs, the ear canal structure is very narrow, and the coat is very long. After taking a bath or being exposed to rain, once the water enters the ear canal, it is difficult to drain out, causing microorganisms to survive in a humid and warm environment. Development and reproduction, thereby causing otitis externa.

Symptoms of otitis externa in dogs

1. In the early stage, only the external auditory canal is flushed, edematous, and itchy, and light yellow serous secretions flow from the ear canal, staining the coat of the lower part of the ear.
2. Sick dogs appear restless, often shaking their heads, or rubbing and scratching their ears. As the disease progresses, local swelling intensifies, or pustules appear, and brown-black, foul-smelling purulent secretions flow out, often causing the hair at the base of the ears to fall off. Or dermatitis occurs, and the sick dog's hearing decreases.
3. When it becomes chronic, it will be good and bad sometimes. Repeated attacks can cause tissue thickening in the ear canal and even tumors, leading to thickening of the auricle skin, auricle deformation and hearing impairment.

Treatment measures for otitis externa in dogs

1. Before treating acutely ill dogs, the external auditory canal should be blocked with absorbent cotton balls, then the coat of Zhou Tong should be cut off, and treated with normal saline, 0.1% Xinjiazuride or Rinse the external auditory canal with 3% hydrogen peroxide solution.
2. When flushing, tilt the dog's head toward the affected ear to facilitate the flow of flushing fluid, then remove the cotton ball plugged in the ear canal, and then use a dry cotton ball to absorb the fluid in the ear canal. Use an otoscope to examine the deep part of the external auditory canal, and use otology tweezers to remove foreign bodies, earwax or tissue fragments from the deep part. Finally, apply boric acid glycerin (1:20) solution or tannin glycerin (1:20) solution to the external auditory canal for 2~ 3 times.
3. For suppurative otitis externa, after cleaning according to the above method, apply antibiotic cord ointment to the ear canal. In severe cases, rinse 1 to 2 times a day and then apply ointment.
4. Dogs with obvious systemic symptoms can be treated with systemic antibiotics.
5. External ear drainage should be performed on sick dogs with deformed ear shells or tumors.