A Clinician's Approach to the Investigation of Otitis Externa
January 1996
in “
In Practice
”
TLDR The document concludes that a thorough examination and various tests are crucial for diagnosing and treating ear inflammation in pets.
In 1996, a document outlined the clinical approach to investigating otitis externa, an inflammation of the ear canal commonly found in dogs and cats. It identified primary causes such as atopy, ear mites, foreign bodies, food hypersensitivity, tumors, keratinization disorders, and autoimmune diseases, with atopy being the most frequent cause in dogs. The article stressed the importance of a comprehensive history and physical examination, including otoscopic and cytological examinations, to diagnose the condition. It also discussed predisposing factors, chronic changes associated with the condition, and the role of bacterial or yeast infections, particularly Malassezia pachydermatis. Otitis media was noted as a common complication, and while radiographs can help diagnose it, their absence does not exclude the condition. The document suggested additional tests like skin scrapings, hypoallergenic diets, and endocrine tests for further investigation, and mentioned that chronic cases might require radiographs to assess the need for surgery.
