Canine Flash Notes - Otitis Media/Interna

Question 1

what is the classic case presentation of unilateral otitis media/interna?

Answer 1

asymmetric ataxia, head tilt toward the lesion, nystagmus with the fast phase away from the lesion, scratching at the neck/ears

ipsilateral facial nerve paralysis

ipsilateral horner’s syndrome in small animals only

Question 2

what is the classic case presentation of bilateral otitis media/interna?

Answer 2

seen most often in cats!!

wide head excursions & crouched to the ground

Question 3

what animals are most commonly affected by bilateral otitis media/interna?

Answer 3

cats

Question 4

how is otitis media/interna diagnosed?

Answer 4

otoscopic exam

advanced imaging - CT or MRI

myringotomy - histopathology or cytology, culture & sensitivity

Question 5

what is the medical treatment of choice for otitis media/interna?

Answer 5

long term antibiotics - for 2 months based off of culture & sensitivity

Question 6

what are the surgical methods recommended for treating otitis media/interna?

Answer 6

myringotomy - gently flush the middle ear cavity with sterile saline

ventral bulla osteotomy

lateral bullectomy - if severe, chronic external auditory canal disease, go for TECABO

Question 7

what is the non-infectious form of otitis media/interna that king charles cavalier spaniels are predisposed to?

Answer 7

glue ear - primary secretory otitis media, viscous mucus plug in the middle ear cavity

Question 8

a 2-year-old cat presents with a right head tilt, circling to the right, ataxia, horizontal nystagmus fast phase to the left, & a right horner’s syndrome. where does the lesion localize to? what diagnostics should be done?

Answer 8

lesion located in the right middle ear

otoscopic exam, CT/MRI, & myringotomy

Question 9

what neurologic signs are seen in cats with bilateral otitis media/interna?

Answer 9

wide head excursions & crouching to the ground