DVM, MS, DABVP
(Canine & Feline, Avian,
Exotic Companion Mammal)		  
  
 

 Ear Clinic for Pets
91 North Stark Hgwy
Weare, NH 03281
603-529-4999
 


 
 
The Procedure

What Your Pet Will Experience

  1. The pet is examined.
  2. An ear cytology is performed to determine the type of infection.
  3. Based on the disease process, Dr. Dutton may either treat now or schedule a video otoscope examination.
  4. If a video otoscopic exam, the pet is dropped off in the morning of the anesthetic procedure. Any recommended pre-anesthetic blood work is
    performed. The pet is anesthetized and the ear canal and middle ear is examined. If needed, the middle ear is flushed clean of infection and medicated.
  5. The pet wakes up from the anesthesia.
  6. In most cases, this needs to be repeated every 2 weeks for a total of 4 treatments.
 

How the Video Otoscope Works

With the video otoscope, a tiny camera is inserted into the ear, and the ear canal appears on a TV screen. Dr. Dutton can view and evaluate the infected ears in much greater detail than with the standard otoscope. He can observe the extent of the disease and whether the eardrum is damaged.

Not only is the video otoscope used in diagnosing ear pathology, it also offers unparalleled accuracy and precision in treatment. The instrument allows for deep flushing and drying of the ear canal, while watching a clear real-time image on a video monitor. Often the ear drum cannot be evaluated until a deep ear flush to remove wax and debris has been performed.

The scope can be used in the ear canal to remove a foreign object, curette out a wax ball, biopsy a tumor or flush and culture the middle ear. Pictures can be taken and downloaded into a patient's file or the procedure can even be saved as a video.
 
FAST FACTS


Chronic ear infections are a common occurrence in dogs. Over the years, much research in both the causes and treatment of ear infections has occurred.


Chronic Ear Infections

Two thirds of dogs with chronic ear infections (defined as ear infection for longer than 6 weeks) have either a torn ear drum or a middle ear infection.
Ear infections can occur due to a yeast infection, a bacterial infection, or both.


Chronic Yeast Infections

Three quarters of dogs with a chronic yeast ear infection have an underlying allergy. This allergy must be addressed to prevent recurrence of the ear
infection.