A study to evaluate the primary causes associated with Pseudomonas otitis in 60 dogs

ObjectivesTo evaluate the primary causes, age of onset and time from diagnosis of otitis to development of Pseudomonas otitis in each case. Materials and MethodsData from clinical records of 60 dogs were extracted to address the study objectives. Pseudomonas otitis was diagnosed by clinical signs and positive culture. ResultsIn total, 57 purebred dogs and three crossbreed dogs were included: 32 dogs had unilateral and 28 bilateral disease. Underlying primary causes of otitis were allergy (42), masses (8), endocrine disease (7) and autoimmune disease (3). The mean age of onset of otitis (and subsequent time to development of Pseudomonas otitis) in dogs with allergic otitis was 40months (28months), with endocrine disease was 56months (19months) and masses 99months (10months). Clinical SignificanceThe most common primary causes of otitis in dogs with Pseudomonas infections are, in decreasing frequency: allergies, masses, endocrine disease and autoimmune disease. Secondary infections with Pseudomonas developed more quickly if there was a mass or autoimmune disease, as compared with allergies and endocrinopathies.