Otitis Externa

Richard G. Harvey, BVSc DVD, Dip.ECVD, FSB, PhD, MRCVS The Veterinary Centre, Cheylesmore, Coventry, UK Sue Paterson, MA, VetMB, DVD, DipECVD, MRCVS, RCVS and European Specialist in Veterinary Dermatology Rutland House Referral Hospital, St Helens, Merseyside, UK

The Normal Ear. Introduction. Pinna. External auditory meatus. Middle ear. Microscopic structure of the external ear canal. Microclimate of the external ear canal. Cerumen in normal and otitic ears. Approach to the Diagnosis of Otitis Externa. Introduction. Signalment. History. Physical examination. Otic examination. Otoscopic appearance of the external ear canal and tympanum. Cytological characteristics of normal and abnormal ears. Biopsy. Imaging. Aetiology and Pathogenesis of Otitis Externa. Concept of primary and secondary factors, predisposing factors, and perpetuating change. Primary causes of otitis externa. Secondary causes of otitis externa. Perpetuating factors. Ear Cleaning. Introduction. Assessing the integrity of the tympanum. Assessing the discharge. Assessing the canal. Cleaning process. Home cleaning. Medical Management of Ear Disease. Dealing with primary triggers. Dealing with secondary causes. Chronic or recurrent otitis externa in dogs. Otitis Media. Aetiology. Clinical signs. Major differential diagnoses. Diagnosis. Management. Treatment of nasopharyngeal polyps in cats. Prognosis. Ototoxicity and Other Side-Effects of Otic Medication. Introduction. Meatal and tympanic inflammation. Effects within the middle ear. Ototoxicity. Systemic effects of otic medication. Ototoxicity of systemic drugs. Summary. Aural Ablation and Bulla Osteotomy. Introduction. Presurgical investigations. Vertical canal ablation. Bulla osteotomy. Special problems relating to surgery of the middle ear in cats. References. Index.