Neurologic abnormalities such as head tilt, nystagmus, ataxia, and cranial nerve deficits may occur with otitis media and otitis interna. The clinical manifestations and diagnosis of external otitis are discussed elsewhere. This article describes the diagnostic and treatment options for otitis externa, otitis media, and otitis interna, with an emphasis on surgical procedures and the important distinctive otic. Otitis interna, or infection of the inner ear, is a relatively common disorder in the dog. Otitis media otitis interna condensed version ct scan showing fluid density in right tympanic bulla of a dog. Otitis mediaainflammation of the middle ear structures, occurs in dogs and cats of all ages and p resents unilaterally or bilaterally. Clinical signs, magnetic resonance imaging features, and. Otitis media and interna in cats merck veterinary manual.
Fever, pain, vomiting, and severe depression may accompany clinical signs. Otitis interna that is caused by a bacterial infection can be a serious condition. During a physical examination, your veterinarian will look in the ear for the presence of inflammation, common conditions chronic otitis. If otitis interna occurs at the same time, the cat may tilt its head. Otitis and meningoencephalitis associated with infectious. Affected broilers exhibited severe neurologic signs resulting from otitis media, otitis interna, and meningoencephalitis. When otitis externa accompanies otitis media interna, the ear should be examined closely for mites and foreign bodies, such as plant awns, and the discharge cultured for bacteria. Otitis interna affects the labyrinth part of the inner ear, which is a small bony canal in the skull. Many aerobic and anaerobic bacteria have been cultured from the ears of animals with otitis media interna. Overview of otitis media and interna ear disorders. Vestibular neuritis derives its name from the labyrinths that house the vestibular system, which senses changes in head position or the heads motion.
Otitis media can cause facial nerve paralysis, constriction of the pupil of the eye, drooping of the eyelid, sinking of the eyeball into the eye socket, and protrusion of the third eyelid on the same side as the affected ear. Chronic suppurative otitis is more commonly associated with middle ear disease than is erythematoceruminous otitis. A practical guide to canine and feline neurology, dewey, 2nd ed. Otitis media otitis interna extended version ct scan showing fluid density in right tympanic bulla of a dog. It is usually a result of extension of middle ear infection see chapter 14 and results in a characteristic set of clinical signs.
Doctors from the nhs warn that bacterial labyrinthitis can be serious in young children. It once was thought to be a result of viral infection, but less than half the time is this the case. Extension of infection up the eustachian tube does occur, but is rare in the dog. It can occur as a single attack, a series of attacks, or a persistent condition. This results in a sensation of the world spinning and also possible hearing loss or ringing in the ears. Otitis media is an infection or inflammation of the middle ear. This condition is more commonly known as labyrinthitis or vestibular neuritis. A practical approach to diagnosing and managing ear. It is filled with fluid and membranes, and its canals and vestibule are referred to as the.
This inflammation often begins when infections that cause sore throats, colds, or other respiratory or breathing problems spread to the middle ear. Otitis media, or middle ear infection, involves the middle ear. Otitis media is an infection that affects the middle ear and arises in the tympanic cavity the hollow space between the tympanic membrane or ear drum and inner ear, whereas otitis externa is an infection in the external ear and the ear canal, and is popularly called swimmers ear or external otitis. In some cases, surgery may cause an inner ear infection, and in rarer cases high pressure. Rod rosychuckmanagement of canine and feline otitis media. Many aerobic and anaerobic bacteria have been cultured from the ears of animals with otitis media interna, and mixed infections are common. The difference between otitis media and otitis externa. Otitis media and otitis interna are inflammation of structures within the ear. External otitis may manifest as a localized furuncle or as a diffuse infection of the entire canal acute diffuse external otitis. Otitis media and interna apple valley animal hospital. Otitis is a general term for inflammation or infection of the ear, in both humans and other animals it is subdivided into the following.
Inflammation of the middle ear otitis media and inner ear otitis interna usually responsive to medical management. Pathogenesis, clinical features, and diagnosis, section on diagnosis. External otitis acute msd manual professional edition. In most instances of otitis media in dogs, there is historical andor clinical evidence of. Otitis simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Dogs with long pendulous ears are most commonly affected 2. Unilateral asymmetric ataxia head tilt toward lesion nystagmus fast phase away from lesion scratching at neck and ears. Hypersensitivities atopy and cutaneous ad the ear disease to continue. Note the soft tissue density of the external ear canal. Labyrinthitis, also known as vestibular neuritis, is the inflammation of the inner ear. Otitis interna is an inflammation that is located in your inner ear.
Overview of otitis media and interna veterinary manual. Axlund dvm, dipl acvim, in small animal ear diseases second edition, 2005. Otitis interna definition of otitis interna by medical. In external otitis, the ear hurts when touched or pulled. Identification and treatment of the primary underlying causes of ear disease are impor tant to determining the appropriate manage ment approach.
Otitis externa, external otitis, or swimmers ear, involves the outer ear and ear canal. Presentation of a patient with otitis interna often is characterized by torticollis, head tilt, nystagmus, circling to the affected side, or rolling. Most cases of severe otitis interna are accompanied by severe otitis media. The origin of otitis media in dogs otitis media in small animals and cats is very different. A variety of viruses and bacterial infections can lead to otitis interna such as the flu, mumps, measles, shingles, and other respiratory infections. Management of most cases of external otitis involves topical drug therapy rather than oral antibiotics, as the disease is limited to the skin of the ear canal. Because some of the nerves of the face travel through the middle ear, a cats face may show signs. Otitis media in cats nicole a heinrich dvm dacvd mckeever dermatology clinics.
Otitis media affects the middle ear and often results from an extension of otitis externa, especially when a ruptured ear drum is present. Otitis interna is the inflammation of structures within the inner ear. The most frequent causes of otitis media in cats are. May also involve inflammation of mastoid, petrous apex, and perilabyrinthine air cells 3. Also, meningitis can cause the inner part of your ear to become inflamed. Ear infections are among the ten most frequent reasons for dogs to be presented to veterinarians and may affect up. These signs reflect the dysfunction of the inner ear organsnamely, the cochlea and. Otitis externa is an acute or chronic inflammation of the external ear.