Causes of Otitis in Pets and Ways to Treat It
Otitis is a general term for an inflammatory process of the ear. It is undoubtedly among the most bothersome diseases of family pets. Chronic and recurrent otitis can be extremely challenging to treat for vets and require multifactorial, step-by-step strategic plans. Cats rarely acquire this disease, unlike dogs, but it carries the same trouble. This article discusses the typical and uncommon causes of otitis and its severity in pets within the clinical framework for medical diagnosis and treatment.
Causes
Otitis externa is caused by many factors. Some are from parasites, foreign objects, and allergies, which directly generate the swelling. On the other hand, other causes include certain bacteria, yeasts, or a middle ear infection. Underlying hypersensitivity disease is the most specific primary factor causing otitis in pets.
Symptoms
One or both ears may be affected. Common signs are head trembling, pawing or rubbing the affected ear, and cocking the head toward the affected side. Redness, itchiness, pain, and a malodorous discharge may show up.
Diagnosis
A detailed and complete history is vital to help assess the underlying reason and associated factors. Examining your family pet’s ear would be the first thing your veterinary physician will do, enabling them to determine the quantity and type of exudate in your pet’s ear canals. A complete physical exam, consisting of detailed dermatologic analysis, can help identify an underlying or primary cause. See your veterinarian or visit their site for more information on diagnosing your pet’s condition.
Treatment and Surgery
There are goals of otitis treatment, depending on the seriousness, first is to deal with discomfort and pain for your pet. Next would be debris and discharge removal, followed by reversing the chronic pathological changes. Eliminating infection from external and center ears will also be done. In many cases of otitis, topical therapy alone is enough and is preferred when possible.
Your veterinarian will also prescribe ear cleaners to use at home to help avoid future infections once the otitis and disease are solved. An antibacterial agent would still specify when an infection is already present or when there is no reaction to appropriate topical treatment and cleansing. In contrast, chronic, severe otitis externa and otitis media cases often require additional systemic treatment.
Your vet will consider surgical treatment once severe obstructive conditions affect the ear canal and when medical therapy is unsuccessful. Your primary vet will collaborate with an internal vet if your pet has underlying problems like hypertension, diabetes, lung disease, Etc., to see if they can handle them before surgery. You can visit sites like oakglenanimalhospital.com to find an internal veterinarian who can help you with your pet’s internal condition.
Before surgical treatment, your surgical veterinarian will determine the goals of surgery: what component of the chronic otitis needs treatment and whether that component will be entirely or partially eliminated. Veterinary doctors recommend using laser therapy after surgical interventions with infected pets since warm laser therapy reduces swelling and pain and quickens healing.
Prevention
Identifying and managing these early, whenever possible, will positively affect the extent and seriousness of the disease and may even prevent it. There is no sure mode of prevention for otitis; routinely seeing your animal’s vet will help avoid this condition.
