Ear infections (and this covers a wide range of problems) are one of the most common and painful problems we see in Veterinary Medicine. Problems are caused by bacteria, yeast, fungus, foxtails, ticks, and more. Therefore, diagnosis and treatment regimes are extremely variable. One thing for sure: once a dog has an ear infection, it is highly likely that it will return again at some future time. Many dogs with allergies or hereditary tendencies cannot be cured from chronic ear disease. And although this is frustrating for both owner and Veterinarian, by working together we can usually develop excellent treatments, specific for each case, to control ear disease. Surgery (see pictures at bottom) is available for ears that have swollen closed from chronic infection. We have helped give relief to many dogs that medication did not help. In some predisposed breeds such as Cocker Spaniels, Springer Spaniels, and Shar-Peis, early surgery practically works miracles! If your dog suffers from ear infections, call us - we can help!
Note in the adjacent picture (click on it to enlarge) that numbers 1 and 2 are parts of the normal typmanic membrane (eardrum), and number 3 is actually the little bone called the malleus (hammer) that lies on the inside surface of the eardrum. The normal eardrum is transparent.	Normal Ear Canal and Tympanic Membrane (eardrum)
How do you know if your pet has an ear infection? Symptoms can be mild, such as occasional shaking; to major, including constant shaking and scratching, odor, extreme redness, pain, swelling, filling of the ear flap with fluid, head tilt, loss of balance, and vomiting. Ear infections can be very serious, and need immediate attention. A thorough examination and cytology (staining and examining the ear exudate under a microscope) will usually give a tentative diagnosis of the current problem.
We use a MedRx endoscope/otoscope (pictured above) that projects the ear canal onto a large monitor/TV screen, allowing both the Doctor and the client to visualize the diseased ear canal. Most of the following pictures were taken with our endoscope.
Diseased ear canal, full of cerumen and exudate (no eardrum visible)	Ear canal after anesthetic ear flushing procedure. Note the canal is still quite narrow.
There are many causes of ear infections. Very common around the Kingman area are foxtails. This is a plant awn that gets in the ear and will puncture the eardrum. Ointments will not give any relief; the foxtail must be removed (usually under a sedative) before it ruptures the eardrum.
Foxtail (plant awn) in the ear canal	Ear canal with considerable amounts of cerumen and exudate, and fox tail
If ears do not get prompt and correct medical treatment, not only will the dog suffer needless pain and discomfort, but the lining of the ear canal will thicken, and cause cerumen gland hypertrophy, and then actual polyps (which are permanent).
Cerumen gland hypertrophy (little white bumps) in the ear canal	Ear canal with polyps. Surgery will now be necessary
Infections and foxtails will ultimately cause the eardrum to rupture. Although avoidable, we can flush the middle ear and usually restore hearing if the problem is allowed to go this far.
Infection has caused the eardrum to rupture!	Infection is flushed from the middle ear then medication is infused, using a 5 mm tube attached to the endoscope.
When we find infection, swabs are used to take a sample, placed on slides, stained, and examined under the microscope. This cytology allows us to differentate what germ is causing the infection; and allows us to prescribe appropriate medications. Even then, treatments commonly need to be given for 3-6 weeks.
Cytology through the microscope demonstrating yeast as the cause.	Cytology demonstrating bacteria.
Other causes of painful ear problems include earmites (very contagious between dogs and cats) and ear ticks. Other types of bacterial and yeast infections are NOT contagious to other pets or humans.
Although the size of a pinhead ear mites cause intense itching. Seen magnified through a microscope.	Ear ticks (Otobius species) are different from wood ticks. They are usually spread by cattle
Removing outer ear canal wall	Exposing horizontal canal to eardrum
Completed new canal opening	The lateral ear resection surgery is a valuable method to stop advancing and uncontrollable ear infections and the resultant scar tissue. This surgery can control chronic infections, or dramatically reduce pain and treatments necessary to control long-standing ear infections. By exposing the 1.old vertical canal, and the 2.horizontal canal opening to the eardrum, we allow for good drainage and air circulation. The results can be very good for both the pet and the owner.(Pictures from "Current Techniques in Small Animal Surgery", Bojrab)