Anti-inflammatory Drugs Are a Critical Component for Treating Otitis Externa

Otitis externa is one of the most common reasons for canine veterinary visits,¹ and chronic cases cause pet owners ongoing frustration. Uncontrolled inflammation is a significant contributing factor to chronic otitis externa, and local anti-inflammatory action is a critical factor for the success of the treatment of dogs affected by the condition. Without this intervention, recurrence and chronicity often occur.

Finding the appropriate anti-inflammatory

Topical glucocorticoids have long been recognized as an efficient and effective treatment for controlling inflammation. However, not all topical corticosteroids are created equal, and choosing the appropriate agent is key to successfully treating canine otitis externa. Hydrocortisone aceponate (HCA) is a potent anti-inflammatory drug that is lipophilic, allowing the drug to spread inside the ear canal and be rapidly absorbed.² As the drug gets deeper into the tissues, it is converted from this potent form to a less potent form, hydrocortisone, generating less systemic effects. This mechanism allows for a formulation that delivers a high dose of a potent anti-inflammatory drug in the ear, with a good risk/benefit profile. EASOTIC^® (hydrocortisone aceponate, miconazole nitrate, gentamicin sulfate) Otic Suspension for Dogs is indicated to treat canine otitis externa associated with susceptible strains of yeast (Malassezia pachydermatis) and bacteria (Staphylococcus pseudin-termedius).

EASOTIC effectiveness 

As with all other otitis products, it should not be used in dogs with a ruptured tympanic membrane or dogs with hypersensitivity to the active ingredients. The use in dogs used for breeding purposes, during pregnancy, or in lactating bitches, has not been evaluated. 

In a recent study involving 40 dogs affected by otitis externa, EASOTIC Otic Suspension for Dogs was administered for 5 days. The dogs’ owners were surveyed on treatment days 2 and 5, and 9 days after the final treatment.

Significant improvement in ear redness, discharge, shaking, scratching, and rubbing the ears was observed by treatment day 2, indicating a rapid onset of treat-ment effect that the owner recognized. By treatment day 5, 98% of dog owners described the ear discharge as absent or rarely present, and 90% or more reported only rare occurrences of their dog rubbing their ears, shaking their head, and showing redness of their ears or ear flaps. Results 9 days after the final treatment were similar to results seen on treatment day 5, suggesting that the pet owners witnessed a remarkably quick and sustained resolution of their dog’s signs. Ninety percent of pet owners were extremely satisfied or satisfied with the results achieved with EASOTIC Otic Suspension for Dogs.³ Veterinarians treating the dogs were also surveyed 14 to 28 days after the initial day of treatment. Eighty-eight percent of veterinarians were satisfied with the results achieved with EASOTIC Otic Suspension for Dogs.³

EASOTIC ease of use
Compliance is important to ensure the highest level of effectiveness for any treatment. If a medication is simple to administer, owner compliance increases.⁴ EASOTIC Otic Suspension for Dogs is user friendly, thus reducing the stress of treatment for both the dog and the owner. The ergonomically designed applicator of EASOTIC Otic Suspension for Dogs delivers the correct dose in a single push. A flexible nozzle, textured grip, and airless bottle contribute to the product’s administration simplicity. The recommended treatment for each ear with EASOTIC Otic Suspension for Dogs, regardless the size of the dog, is 1 pump a day for just 5 days. A study demon-strated that these factors improved owner compliance compared with traditional products requiring counting drops, and 100% of dog owners in that study were satisfied with the product.⁵

The highly effective, rapid ability of EASOTIC Otic Suspension for Dogs to relieve clinical signs in dogs affected by otitis externa, and ease of use, make the product a highly effective treatment for veterinari-ans and dog owners when treating this troublesome disease.

REFERENCES:

1. Howard B. Top 3 most common pet insurance claims. dvm360 website. Available at: https://www.dvm360.com/view/top-3-most-common-pet-insurance-claims. Accessed July 8, 2021.
2. Sauvé F. Use of topical glucocorticoids in veterinary dermatology. Can Vet J. 2019;60:785–788.
3. Data on file. Virbac Corporation.
4. Davies B. Better compliance: better outcomes. Veterinary Practice website. Available at: https://veterinary-practice.com/article/better-compliance-better-outcomes. Accessed July 8, 2021.
5. Boda C, Liège P, Rème CA. Evaluation of owner compliance with topical treatment of acute otitis externa in dogs: a comparative study of two auricular formulations. Intern J Appl Res Vet Med. 2011;9:157–165.