In cases where either the owner declines anesthesia, the animal is not a good candidate for anesthesia due to concurrent health problems, or where the degree of canal occlusion and exudate are not severe, a reasonable cleaning program may be obtained on an outpatient basis utilizing products which have both cleansing and drying properties. The use of an ear curette is particularly helpful in removing wax. After the cleaning procedure has been performed, an otic examination is indicated to ensure that all remaining wax and debris are removed. This solution should then be removed via suction, with either a suction pump or a 12-ml syringe and propylene tomcat catheter. The ear is subsequently flushed using a rubber ear bulb syringe and either a mild disinfectant solution (dilute chlorhexidine works well) or just saline solution. The author prefers a product containing dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate, urea peroxide, and lidocaine hydrochloride (Clearx ® Ear Cleansing Solution, DVM) although I limit its use to anesthetized patients because occasionally irritation occurs. Instilling the ear with a ceruminolytic agent greatly helps the cleaning process.

Such a patient must be intubated to prevent aspiration of flushing fluids that can drain through the eustachian tube.

Excessive hair at the base of the medial pinna should also be clipped away.Īrguably, the best results of ear cleaning are obtained with the patient under general anesthesia. This is best done by grasping the hair with a forceps and twisting the hairs out by twirling the forceps (rather than plucking, which is more painful). Hair should be removed from the ear canal. Wax, oil, and other debris may be irritating, prevent medicaments from contact with the ear canal wall, produce a favorable environment for microorganisms to proliferate, and may inactivate certain antibiotics. Medical treatment of the ear with otitis externa may be divided into three stages: ear cleaning with management of predisposing causes, treatment of perpetuating causes, and identification and treatment of primary causes.Ĭleaning the ear is important for a variety of reasons.

Books & VINcyclopedia of Diseases (Formerly Associate).VINcyclopedia of Diseases (Formerly Associate).

Otomax ointment for dogs ears