Chronic otitis

Long-term disease of the ear canals is a common problem in dogs. There are usually bacteria or yeast overgrowing in the external ear canals and sometimes in the middle, or inner ear as well. Permanent damage of the ear canal often happens with long-term disease. Signs include irritation, pain, neurologic signs, and deafness. The infections are always secondary. There is always a primary cause such as parasites, allergy, internal disease or genetic disease. There are usually also perpetuating factors such as swelling of the ear canal. And there are also predisposing factors such as the dog having hairy ears.

Your veterinarian will recommend treatment to eliminate the bacteria or yeast with antibiotics or antifungal medication along with investigations and treatment to diagnose and resolve the primary causes and perpetuating factors. These interventions will help to control the signs and to prevent recurrence.