Differential diagnosis of otitis media in small domestic animals as the basis for effective treatment

Inflammation of the external auditory canal in small domestic animals is very common. Incorrect or untimely treatment leads to the transition of the process into a chronic one and can affect nearby organs and tissues. The article is devoted to the choice of effective therapy of external otitis media in cats and dogs based on differential diagnostics. The aim of the study was to study the effectiveness of therapy of small domestic animals with otitis media, taking into account the differential diagnosis. To set the diagnosis, the following research methods were used according to the generally accepted methodology: examination, thermometry, auscultation, otoscope, taking a scrape from the external auditory canal and its microscopy. During the general examination of animals, deviations from the norm were detected only from the auricle and the skin surrounding it: intense itching, skin damage from the outer part of the auricle, different degrees of hyperemia of this area, exudate. For effective treatment of animals with answers, a correct diagnosis is necessary. So, with otoacariasis, treatment should be directed at the use of acaricidal preparations; with otitis caused by the predominance of fungi of the genera Malassezia and Candida, as well as their associations, antifungal agents; with allergic otitis, local preparations with glucocorticosteroids with the elimination of the allergic agent should be used. Etiotropic therapy should be carried out in the combination with pretreatment of the inner surface of the auricle and the external auditory canal with antiseptic agents.