Ottitis of the External Ear ( Otorrhoea) etiology, clinical signs

OTTITIS OF THE EXTERNAL EAR

Definition

  • It is defined as inflammation of the external auditory canal.

Incidence

  • Common in the long eared breeds. Rare in horses and uncommon in other animals

Etiology

  • Numerous and multifactorial
  • Peculiar anatomy and presence of hair  in the canal
  • Infection - Staphylococcus, streptococcus, pseudomonus, proteus, E.coli and Corynebacterium
  • Yeast and fungus
  • Parasitic
  • Atopy Food allergy
  • Metabolic diseases- hypothyrodism
  • Immnune mediated
  • Keratinisation disorder
  • Accumulation of ear wax 

Clinical signs

  • Pruritus manifested by scraching , rubbing the ear and shaking, 
  • mild erythema of the ear canal,
  • pain on palpation exudation from the ear
  • proliferative granulation tissue in chronic cases
  • calcification of the ear cartilage
Last modified: Tuesday, 5 June 2012, 7:06 AM