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| Typical ear drops in pet stores |
Basically, we can find three causes for ear infection or otitis in our dog: yeast, bacteria, and mites. It is essential to investigate which one is causing the infection in our pets for several reasons, and a cytology ear sample smear is a must.
On the one hand, most of the ear infections are not due to mites, and the only ear drops that can be bought over the counter are only effective against mites. Although using them while the problem is another kind of infection, will not harm our pet, not only it will not solve our problem but also will prolong it, wasting our time, our money, our pet's patience, and risking ending up with a more dangerous and complicated internal ear infection (read more).
On the other hand, using antibiotics in a fungal (yeast) infection, will only spread and "help" the condition to worsen. Likewise, using antifungal treatment in a bacteria infection will complicate it more.
As for a bacteria infection, we normally find either coccaceae Gram + (Staphilococcus spp or Streptococcus spp), bacillus Gram + (Bacillus spp) and Gram - (Pseudomonas spp). Your vet will have a special interest in ruling out a rod Gram-negative infection due to its resistance to most antibiotics.
Pyoderma/hot spot/ringworms
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| Yeasts in a skin infection |
A pyoderma, as an ear infection, can be caused by either mites, bacteria, or yeasts. Skin mites are different to ear mites, as well as more resistant to some products used to kill demodex spp.
We normally call "hot spot" to a bacteria dermatitis, that is very itchy, wet and hot. It is very common in long hair dogs that stay wet after a bath or in a very damp environment. However, it may be mistaken with mites or a not infectious issue such as burning or corrosive fluids.
A ringworm infection, despite its name, has nothing to do with worms, but with fungi. At the beginning, this condition may not be noticed, but in long term it becomes very itchy and, unfortunately, humans can catch it from their pets (zoonosis)
In some cases, we find neutrophils on a skin sample. Along with other findings, like broken hair, could indicate that we are facing a skin allergy or an atopic dermatitis, for instance.
Atopic dermatitis
Most of the times, atopic dermatitis is caused by an allergy reaction. However, this is one of the most difficult skin conditions to diagnose, needing to rule out hormonal-related issues, such as Cushing syndrome or hypothyroidism, to name the most common to find in dogs. The cost for this problem can be very dear. Needless to say that, in case it is wrongly diagnosed, the treatment will not work, while the dermatitis becomes chronic.
Gastritis/enteritis
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| Giardiaa are seen moving in a direct, fresh smear |
24h fasting and followed by some rice&chicken, in small amounts and several times a day seems to be the most widespread solution that may work in cases of an upset stomach. However, a gastritis can be as mild and chronic as a parasite infection, or as mortally dangerous as a gastrointestinal torsion. Never ever wait to see your vet if your dog is in pain and/or you notice he is bloated.
Contrary to general opinion, it is not normal than a puppy has diarrhea on and off, specially when it is stained with blood or "jelly". In most cases, a parasite like giardia or coccidia is causing it. Giardia is a very common intestinal infection that we are finding in the UK, and very easy to identify on a direct faecal smear. Unfortunately, we are also finding a lot of cases resistant to usual treatments, possibly due to the misuse of some worming tablets.
Conjunctivitis
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| Uveitis in a dog, after a fight |
It's very tempting, and dangerous, to apply our neighbour's eye drops to our pet, just because in his they worked fantastically. At least, any dog with runny eye should pass a fluorescein test, to rule in or out a corneal ulcer. The cornea is the most sensitive part of our body, as anyone wearing contact lens well know. Most eye drops contain steroids, a drug totally contraindicated in this cases, as the ulcer will not heal, prolonging our pet's agony. If an ear infection can be our dog's nightmare, an eye infection can make him blind if, in time, it causes glaucoma.
Sometimes, a corneal ulcer is provoked by a "foreign body" that is hidden in our dog's third lid, in which case, sedation may be needed to remove it.
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