Otitis in dogs: treatment, symptoms, causes.

Probably, the majority of owners faced such a problem as otitis in dogs, the treatment of which is required immediately. Otitis is external, middle and inner. The latter, however, amazes our four-legged friends, as a rule, quite rarely.

Otitis externa is a group of inflammatory diseases of the external ear. The causes are usually fungi, bacteria, mites and external irritants, for example, moisture. The disease usually flows on the type of atopic dermatitis. An important role in the development of this form of otitis is played by allergy and itching. This is the insidiousness of this disease: the impact of pathogenic factors can already stop, but by constant combing the animal will still support the inflammatory process. Accordingly, when a disease such as otitis in dogs is detected, treatment should be carefully monitored.

It is important to keep your pet's ears clean, avoid getting water into the ears , and gently clean the ear passage from the sulfur. Otherwise, inattentive owners in practice will learn what otitis in dogs, the symptoms of which are manifested in the form of reddening and puffiness of the inner surface of the ear with abundant release of sulfur and exudate. In addition, the behavior of the animal almost always changes: the dog shakes his head and combs his ears, can even roll on the ground and rub his head against hard objects to relieve the itching. One of the main symptoms of the disease is a specific odor from the ear.

How to treat otitis in dogs, the doctor decides on the basis of tests. Antimicrobial, antifungal or antifungal therapy may be prescribed depending on the pathogen. Effective use of anti-inflammatory ointments to reduce itching. If the cause of the disease is not identified, complex therapy is performed.

Inflammation of the external ear can very easily go into a chronic form even with correctly conducted therapy, so when the first suspicion of such an insidious illness as otitis in dogs, treatment is needed as a preventive measure.

Mean otitis media is inflammation of the middle ear, and there are two types of this disease: catarrhal and purulent. The main cause of the disease is an infection that has penetrated from the pharynx through the auditory tube. Less inflammatory processes in the middle ear cause penetration of infection from the external ear due to neglected external otitis.

If the otitis purulent, then the rupture of the tympanic membrane is possible , accompanied by the release of pus outward. In severe cases, inflammation spans the inner ear and the membranes of the brain.

Symptoms of otitis media include general dog depression, loss of appetite, and fever. As with external otitis, the dog shakes his ear. With damage to the meninges, the animal may have a loss of balance, convulsions, it can turn and tilt the head to one side.

The diagnosis can be made by a doctor based on an analysis of clinical signs and otoscopy performed. If the average otitis in dogs is confirmed, the treatment usually involves the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, antihistamines, antiseptics for purulent otitis, and sulfonamide powders.

To avoid many problems, it is necessary to monitor the health of the dog and to treat the diseases of the pharynx and the external ear in time.

According to observations, there is a predisposition of animals to ear diseases depending on the breed. So, the risk group includes, first of all, the lop-eared dogs: the pathogenic microflora in their ears is actively developed due to poor ventilation. Breeds with small ears, semi-standing or standing, on the contrary, are less susceptible to otitis. Also, susceptibility to the disease can be affected by heredity.