Pseudomonas Otitis in Dogs – Diagnosis and Treatment

Pseudomonas otitis in dogs is a very severe form of ear disease and will often progress to otitis media. In many cases there are extensive ulcers affecting the ear canal, which lead to severe pain. Pseudomonas spp. are ubiquitous in the environment, they are opportunistic pathogens and often show a multiresistant antibiotic spectrum. Pseudomonas otitis requires very aggressive therapy to eliminate the organism in the face of often severe changes that constitute perpetuating factors. These factors also need to be addressed to optimise the chances of a successful outcome. The initial therapy must be followed by the investigation and treatment of the underlying primary disease to avoid a relapse. This article describes the author’s approach to investigation and therapy of this painful condition.