INSIDIOUS EAR INFECTIONS

Swedish veterinarians are warning that an ear condition in horses can go unnoticed for long periods of time, increasing the risk of complications.

Otitis externa is the technical term for ear canal infection that is seen frequently in dog breeds with long, droopy ears and those prone to skin disease. In horses, these infections tend to be rare because the equine ear’s shape and configuration allow for good airflow and drainage.

Nonetheless, while reviewing the records of horses treated in Sweden over a sevenyear period, veterinarians at Mälaran Equine Clinic in Sigtuna discovered eight cases suggesting an otitis externa diagnosis. Signs seen among the affected horses included drooping of the ear, discharge from the ear canal and itchiness around the ear itself. After laboratory tests determined the cause of the condition, all eight horses responded to treatment. Two of the horses relapsed and needed to be treated again.

Based on these findings, the veterinarians suggest that inspection of ears for signs of infection be included in

routine clinical examinations of horses.

They note that, left untreated, persistent ear infections can lead to complications such as otitis media---a painful infection of the inner ear---or temporohyoid osteoarthropathy, an arthritic condition of the tiny bones within the ear that can lead to facial paralysis and balance issues.

Reference: “Otitis externa in eight horses–clinical signs, treatment and prognosis,” Veterinary Dermatology,

June 2019