Section: Overview
Dermatitis involving the ear is an inflammation of the pinna (external part of the ear lying outside of the head). There are a variety of causes of ear dermatitis, ranging from infections to parasites to trauma.
Infectious Causes
Bacterial
Parasitic – Mange (demodectic, otodectic, sarcoptic and notoedric) and ringworm
Immune Causes
Allergy (food, contact)
Drug reaction
Cold Agglutinin Disease
Pemphigus
Trauma
Lacerations, burns, chemical injury
Secondary to disorders within the ear (foreign body, tumor, etc...)
Systemic Causes
Hypothyroidism
Hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing's disease)
Cancer
Miscellaneous Causes
Solar (sun-related) dermatitis
Frostbite
Fly strike
Seborrhea (dry, scaly skin)
Since there are so many different causes of ear dermatitis, diagnosis, treatment and affect on the animal will vary.
What to Watch For
Head shaking
Scratching and rubbing of ears
Pain around the ears
Hair loss on the pinna
Malodorous ears
Bleeding
Diagnosis
Baseline tests, including a complete blood count (CBC), biochemical profile and urinalysis, are usually within normal limits. Additional tests may be necessary to determine the underlying cause of the ear dermatitis.
Skin scrapings
Allergy testing
Fungal culture
Bacterial culture
Endocrine testing
Cytology
Biopsy
Treatment
The treatment depends on the underlying disorder.
Antibiotics/antifungal medicine
Anti-inflammatory drugs
Antihistamines
Hormone replacement therapy
Antiparasitic drugs
Food trials
Home Care and Prevention
Follow all instructions given to you by your veterinarian. If your pet has a recurrence of signs, contact your veterinarian at once. The best way to prevent ear dermatitis is to remove any offending substances from the environment. Limit sun exposure and feed hypoallergenic diets when appropriate.
