Why do Ear Infections Occur: Discussion of the Three Ps

Course overview

Otitis externa is a very common and multifactorial disease appreciated both in the canine and feline species. Patients can develop recurrent ear infections due to predisposing factors such as external ear canal conformation, primary causes such as allergic disease, and perpetuating factors such as bacterial and fungal infections. Treatment of otitis includes identification of possible causative factors, management of active infections, and prevention of pathologic changes that can perpetuate disease. This lecture will summarize the most common predisposing factors, primary causes and perpetuating factors of otitis externa in dogs and cats.