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Diseases of the Canine External Ear
The external ear is typically the domain of the Dermatopathologist as it is composed of skin or modified skin. There is considerable overlap between diseases of the external ear and skin. This section will examine those diseases that are unique to the ear of the dog.
Official terminology of the ear is recorded in Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria and Nomina Anatomica Histologica. The official names are
Auricle for the pinna, and External Acoustic Meatus for the ear canal.
Ceruminous cysts
Ceruminous adenoma
Ceruminous carcinoma
Otitis externa
- Predisposing factors
- increased moisture
- Swimming
- reduced ventilation
- Excessive hair, conformation
- Primary factors
- Atopy
- Adverse food reactions
- Disorders of Keratinisation
- Neoplasia
- Perpetuating factors
- Rupture of tympanic membrane
- Otitis media
- Acquisition of secondary infections
- Progressive proliferative change
- Ceruminous gland hyperplasia and ectasia
- Stenosis of canal lumen
- Alteration to cerumin content.
Ulceration of the eartip is a reaction pattern caused by many different potential diseases including
- Leishmania
- Bartonella henselae,
- Rickettsia rickettsia
- Frostbite
- cyroglobulinemia
- cryofibrinogenemia
- breed specific vasculitis.
- Proliferative thrombovascular necrosis of the pinna (PTVNP)
What they have in common is evidence of ischemia but vascular damage is not always present.
Polypoid hyperplasia