Medical management of chronic otitis in dogs

The frustrations inherent in treating chronic otitis in dogs are an everyda y challenge for practitioners; The key to successful management of this dis ease is early intervention, identifying a cause of the condition, and emplo ying specific and appropriate therapy. Failure to identify and treat a prim ary or predisposing condition is the most common cause of chronic recurrent otitis. This article reviews the pathogenesis of chronic otitis, provides a systematic diagnostic:and therapeutic plan, and emphasizes the role of cl ient education in the successful management this condition.