Dig into these instant otitis tips from Instagram

Publication
Article
FirstlineFirstline March/April 2019
Volume 15
Issue 2

Catch a few ideas floating between your veterinary colleagues' ears on managing otitis in dogs and cats.

Xenia800/stock.adobe.com

We did a quick dive into all of our dvm360 Instagram followers and asked for some tips on managing otitis. Lend your ears-or your patients' ears-to these nuggets of advice from your veterinary colleagues.

Tip 1: "I place a small amount of cotton in both ears before bathing to help prevent water from accumulating in the horizontal ear canal. After the bath, I remove the cotton and follow up with an ear cleanser that contains a drying agent."

Tip 2: "I use cytologic examination to determine whether the infection is primarily yeast or bacteria, and treat accordingly. For example, I prescribe either an antifungal or antibacterial otic flush once a day for seven days, instruct owners to let the ears dry thoroughly for 30 minutes, then apply a combination antifungal/antibacterial/corticosteroid otic suspension twice a day for 10 days."

Tip 3: "We prescribe a ceruminolytic flush every other day, and we also combine 15 ml of the flush with 15 ml of a combination antibiotic/antifungal/anti-inflammatory ointment and tell owners to place a small amount in both ears once a day for 10 days."

Itching for more? Check out our Veterinary Medicine Essential on otitis.

Recent Videos
Tasha McNerney, BS, CVT, CVPM, VTS
Brittany Lancellotti, DVM, DACVD
Brittany Lancellotti, DVM, DACVD
Andrea Pace, CVT, VTS (ECC)
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.