Allergic Otitis-Ear Infections
I have a
Cocker Spaniel that gets recurrent ear infections. What should I do to
help prevent these infections, and are Cocker Spaniels more prone to this
than other breeds?
Otitis externa, outer ear infections, are very common in Cocker Spaniels. Many of them develop low grade infections that flare up from time to time, causing discomfort, bad odors, moisture and waxy discharge. The long floppy ears tend to trap moisture and infection, making floppy earred dogs more prone to recurrent infections than dogs with open, upright ears. Cocker Spaniels often have much hair within the ear canal, which traps dirt and germs, compounding the problem. Do to inbreeding, these dogs are also more likely to develop allergies, and some ear infections are merely chronic allergies to ear fungi.
To combat the problem, the first step is proper diagnosis. General treatment with broad spectrum antibiotics and steroidal anti-allergy medications do help initially, but fail for long term control. You may need to keep your dog off all treatment for several weeks to remove the chemical influence on diagnostic procedures. Then, your veterinarian can perform tests such as cultures for bacteria and fungi, allergy tests, blood panels, and microscopic examination of ear canal scrapings for mites. When the results come in, you'll be ready for a lifelong treatment regimen. Like flea control and other problems that plague our pets, chronic otitis externa often requires care for the life of the dog
A typical treatment regimen may include and initial combination of oral systemic antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medication, and topical antibiotic, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory drops. Once the immediate infection is suppressed, a program of weekly ear cleaning, disinfection and drying is instituted. Periodic topical and systemic antibiotics or anti-inflammatory medications may be necessary. I usually try to avoid constant long term medications to preserve the germ susceptibility to the antibiotics and to avoid the side effects of steroids. Your veterinarian may set you up on a program of regular rechecks and re-cultures. If steroids are part of the program, regular blood panels may be necessary.
Moist ear infections often involve moisture requiring bacteria and fungi or yeast. Keeping the ears dry greatly improves this form of otitis. Avoiding swimming, and dryiing the ears thoroughly following baths will help. Ear drying solutions help too. In these cases, one should avoid putting too much cleaner and medication into the ear, especially if it merely adds to the moisture.
The regular cleaning and disinfection of a Cocker Spaniel's ears is critical to prevent an infection from reoccurring.
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