Getting otitis management right from the first visit

All ear infections in dogs are secondary. Simply treating these leads to repeated cycles of inflammation and infection that result in the need for surgery. Most ear surgery is avoidable with correct management. This requires a two-phase approach: induction to remission and then maintenance to prevent relapse. To achieve this, all the primary, predisposing, perpetuating triggers must be identified and managed – there are no short cuts. In this article, Professor Tim Nuttall, Head of Dermatology Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus, Roslin, UK, outlines how to select and use diagnostic tests and
treatments effectively.