If your dog leans his head to one side or even whines when you touch his ear and if there is pus or earwax coming out of his ear, consult your veterinarian quickly so that a precise diagnosis can be made. The otitis will be treated according to the case.
Otacariosis
Otacariosis is an otitis caused by a parasite. This mite settles in the ear canal and multiplies. Its presence causes a strong itching, the accumulation of a dark and very abundant earwax. This type of otitis, quite contagious, mainly affects young animals as well as those from shelters or communities. The treatment aims to kill the parasites at all stages (adults, larvae and eggs). It is important to treat over a long period of time to avoid a relapse. The treatment can be in the form of an ointment instilled locally or in the form of a spot or to be applied behind the neck between the shoulders, several times at intervals.
Malassezia otitis
Malassezia are fungi naturally present in small quantities on the skin of our companions and in their ears. This moderate and normal presence has no consequences. But sometimes, due to an imbalance, the number of malassezia increases and their presence becomes pathogenic. The ear smells bad, the animal is embarrassed, it shakes its head. The ears smell bad and there is a large amount of brown earwax. This type of otitis often concerns sensitive animals with an atopic tendency such as bulldogs, westies…
The local treatment allows to restore the balance but the risk of recurrence is important and it is necessary to try to stabilize these animals by particular food or treatments stabilizing the immunity.
Bacterial otitis
More rare, bacterial otitis is due to the presence of a bacterium which multiplies in the auditory canal. The earwax becomes purulent and the otitis is painful. The auditory canal is often very inflamed, reshaped. It becomes narrower, tending to aggravate the otitis. The treatment consists in the local application of an antibiotic sometimes associated with an oral intake. In animals most prone to this type of recurrent ear infection, the veterinarian may propose an operation consisting of either opening the ear canal or removing the tympanic bullae. This surgical treatment offers real relief to the animal.
Otitis is a relatively frequent affliction in our companions, some being more predisposed because of the shape of their ears (cocker spaniels for example). Monitoring and regular cleaning of the auditory canals (never use cotton swabs), with a product adapted and advised by the veterinarian, allow to limit the appearance of otitis and to set up a treatment as soon as possible.