Contains witch hazel extract, tea tree oil, organic mullein leaf extract, rosemary extract, and fingerroot extract FIGURE 4 Numerous Malassezia organisms (at X1,000 magnification) from an adhesive tape preparation stained with Diff-Quik The ear canal is a dark, damp, deep environment that doesn’t get a lot of air,” explains Dr. Carol Osborne, author and doctor of veterinary medicine at Chagrin Falls Pet Clinic. “So it’s a medium for bacteria and fungi to flourish.” Salicylic acid and lactic acid are antimicrobial, meaning they work best at preventing yeast or mild bacterial infections.

A] liquid ear cleaning solution is generally much more effective than wipes because dogs’ ear canals are quite long and narrow and actually have a right-angle shape,” explains Dr. Jamie Richardson, veterinarian and chief medical officer at Small Door Veterinary. “So wipes aren’t able to reach down into the canal to clean it.” If your dog goes swimming, you should always at least dry out their ears after they get out of the water to prevent an infection, says Martin.There have been several isolated reports of nosocomial infection with M. pachydermatis, especially in neonatal baby units. Overall, the risk appears to be low, provided that barrier nursing and hand hygiene is of a high standard. Summary This multi-symptom, natural formula is ideal for persistently itchy or smelly dog ears. It can also be used for dirty discharge caused by mites, bacteria, yeast, or fungal infections. “This product utilizes the power of herbs and natural therapeutics to help fight infections and reduce inflammation naturally rather than relying on stronger antifungals and antibiotics,” Woodley says.“Natural witch hazel extract helps dry out the ears and prevent potential ear infections. I recommend this product for prevention and even treating mild ear infections, especially if you’re looking for a natural ear cleaner.” For ear cleaning and use as a drying agent for dogs and cats with bacterial and/or fungal ear infections. Active Ingredients

Dechra Academy launches interactive CPD modules for unintended feline weight loss keyboard_arrow_downResponse to treatment may be complete – test for underlying cause, or partial – test for residual disease, eg pyoderma and then underlying cause. Prevention

One of the big ingredients to watch out for, in my experience, is tea tree oil,” says Osborne. “I have seen dogs have all kinds of adverse reactions to that.” Step 3: Massage the base of the ear gently for about 30 seconds to loosen up wax and debris. “You’ll hear a little squishing sound when you’re doing it right,” says Dr. Martin. Correct the underlying disease and consider intermittent topical therapy; this is the preferred option for long-term therapy. Also consider pulse treatment (but note that this may favour development of resistance) and allergen-specific immunotherapy. Note however that there is limited evidence to date of the efficacy of any of the above. Zoonotic aspectsThis product is very safe for routine use in dogs when there is no infection present or even to use prior to applying ear medications if your dog has a bacterial or yeast/fungal infection,” according to Woodley. “It contains numerous drying agents like salicylic acid that will help keep the ear canals dry and help prevent ear infections, like yeast, from occurring. It’s a great product to have on hand, especially if your dog likes swimming. You can use this afterward to help clean out excess water from the ear canals and dry them out naturally.” Most liquid dog ear cleaners are fairly simple to use, but be warned—ear cleaning can get messy. So, you might want to clean your pup’s ears in a bathroom or outside. Malassezia dermatitis will respond to treatment with any of the drugs listed below. The best evidence of efficacy is with ketoconazole or itraconazole (which is the most frequently used systemic treatment in the UK currently). SHAKE WELL. Apply to the ear canal and gently, but firmly, massage the base of the ear. Use a cotton ball to remove excess solution. Repeat as necessary or as directed by your veterinarian. Close cap tightly. MalAcetic Otic Cleanser Caution