0 a condition in which the passage of the outer ear (= the part of the ear that can be seen on the side of the head) becomes swollen and painful: --
It is the most common cause of infections of burn injuries and of the outer ear (otitis externa), and is the most frequent colonizer of medical devices (e.g., catheters).
A 2004 study found that the use of a cotton-tip applicator to clean the ear seems to be the leading cause of otitis externa in children and should be avoided.
Otitis externa is an inflammation of the ear canal which can be caused by a variety of factors including parasites, microorganisms, foreign bodies, tumors, and underlying dermatological disease.
Treatment for the more common causes of otitis externa in dogs often includes flushing the ears with an antibacterial solution.
Oral antibiotics should not be used to treat uncomplicated acute otitis externa.
Other more common conditions, such as otitis externa may also present with these symptoms, but cholesteatoma is much more serious and should not be overlooked.
Ear mites can cause otitis externa; ticks and fleas can also live in dogs' ear canals.
Diseases which may be diagnosed by an otoscope include otitis media and otitis externa, infection of the middle and outer parts of the ear, respectively.
