Otitis externa in the dog -- a clinical and microbiological study

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Dermatology
• Microbiology

Background:

• Canine otitis externa is a common condition often caused by bacterial and yeast infections.
• Topical antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory preparations are frequently used for treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a combination topical preparation (Fucidin, Framycetin, Nystatin, Prednisolone) for canine otitis externa.
• To determine the microbiological profile and antibiotic sensitivity patterns in affected canine ears.

Main Methods:

• A clinical trial involving 235 dog ears with otitis externa.
• Exclusion of cases with parasitic or foreign body causes or those requiring systemic therapy.
• Bacteriological examination and antibiotic sensitivity testing of isolates from 434 affected ears.

Main Results:

• Staphylococci plus yeasts were the most frequent isolates (29%), followed by pure yeast (19%) and staphylococcus (16%) infections.
• Neomycin (Framycetin) showed satisfactory in vitro activity against common bacteria, and Fucidin was highly effective against staphylococci.
• Approximately 91% of treated ears achieved clinical cure or considerable improvement.
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections presented a treatment challenge.

Conclusions:

• The combination topical preparation demonstrated high clinical efficacy in treating canine otitis externa.
• Antibiotic sensitivity testing guides treatment selection, with Fucidin and Neomycin showing good in vitro effectiveness.
• Extended treatment duration may be necessary for recalcitrant infections, particularly those involving Pseudomonas aeruginosa.