Epi-Otic Ear Cleaner for Dogs and Cats 125 ml

Product Information

Prevention is the best cure for anal gland odors. Most dogs naturally expel the stinky fluid from these sacs on either side of their anus when they poop. Help keep this process working normally by feeding a diet that keeps your dog’s poop firm enough to naturally express the glands. Tris-EDTA is a topical product that enhances the activity of topical antibiotics against otic pathogens by decreasing stability and increasing the permeability of the cell wall of gram-negative bacteria. There are numerous products containing Tris-EDTA: TrizEDTA (Dechra), TrizUltra + Keto (with ketoconazole) (Dechra), TrizChlor (with chlorhexidine) (Dechra), Mal-A-Ket Plus TrizEDTA Flush (with ketoconazole and chlorhexidine) (Dechra), and T8 Keto (with ketoconazole) (Bayer). Glucocorticoids are antipruritic, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative. During the acute stage of otitis, the ear canal becomes edematous and erythematous. As the inflammation progresses, the dermis becomes infiltrated with a mixed population of cells. Apocrine glands dilate and become hyperplastic, which leads to excessive cerumen production. Polymyxin has excellent in vitro activity against Pseudomonas species with resistance rarely developing, but it's inactivated in purulent debris so the ear needs to be kept clean during treatment. Several generic products contain polymyxin, as well as Surolan (Elanco). Systemic glucocorticoids are used to decrease stenosis, edema and hyperplasia of the vertical and horizontal ear canal to allow a complete otic examination as well as proper cleaning of the ear. They're also indicated in cases of allergic otitis externa. In older patients or those with concurrent diseases, you may need to perform bloodwork before starting your patient on glucocorticoids. Aim to use the lowest dose needed to prevent side effects, with the end goal of discontinuing the systemic glucocorticoid.

Glucocorticoids are therefore beneficial in decreasing the pain, pruritus, stenosis and edema associated with otitis. In addition, they're effective in decreasing sebaceous and apocrine secretions. They're usually used in combination with other agents but may be beneficial when used alone in allergic cases of otitis and some ceruminous otitis cases. It's important to use the lowest-potency glucocorticoid at the lowest frequency needed to control the otitis to prevent iatrogenic hyperadrenocorticism. Examples include Cort/Astrin Solution (Vedco) and Synotic (Zoetis). No, most veterinarians highly discourage pet owners from using their own ear health products on their dogs. Many cleaners designed for humans contain hydrogen peroxide, which can cause water to build up in the ear canal rather than be flushed out. Ultimately, this has the potential to cause additional pain and make ear infections worse. In most cases of infectious otitis externa, topical therapy alone is enough. In patients with severe infections or with long-standing chronic otitis externa, you may need to add a systemic antimicrobial agent to clear the infection in the ear tissue as well as in the lumen of the ear canal. Dogs with concurrent infectious otitis externa and otitis media usually require both topical and systemic antimicrobial therapy. Antifungal agents are used in cases of otitis caused by Malassezia or Candida species. Ingredients that are active against yeast include nystatin (Panolog), thiabendazole (Tresaderm), miconazole (generics, Surolan, easOtic), ketoconazole (TrizUltra, T8 Keto), posaconazole (Posatex), clotrimazole (Otomax, Mometamax), and terbinafine (Claro, Osurnia). Many dog ear cleaning solutions on the market come with a veterinary stamp of approval or were formulated by veterinarians specifically. Generally, this means clinical trials have been performed and that the products are free of potentially harmful ingredients. Still, it’s important research about any solution you invest in, and in the best-case scenario, you should also discuss your choice with your vet after they’ve inspected your pup’s ears. Then they can be sure that you are making an investment that suits your dog’s specific needs.An extralabel topical preparation containing enrofloxacin may be formulated as a second-line treatment in chronic cases using one part injectable enrofloxacin (22.7 mg/ml) to four parts an appropriate vehicle (Cort/Astrin, for example) or one part injectable enrofloxacin to one part miconazole to one part injectable dexamethasone (2 mg/kg). Topical enrofloxacin appears to be very effective for treatment of otitis due to Pseudomonas species. Silver sulfadiazine 1% (Silvadene-Pfizer) is available in a cream formulation. One part of the Silvadene cream can be mixed with one part TrizChlor prior to application in the ear and has been shown to be very effective against resistant Pseudomonas species. For inflamed ears with yeast otitis without a bacterial component, a topical antifungal such as miconazole may be mixed 1:1 with dexamethasone. Our favorite ear cleaning solution for dogs is Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced Ear Cleanser, which combines day-to-day hygiene with medicinal ingredients that can stop a serious infection from progressing—all without causing dryness or irritation. We have several other product recommendations that may work even better for your pooch. However, you should consult with your veterinarian before introducing a new treatment as part of your dog's daily hygiene.

Probiotics use live microorganism cultures to encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria. Most often used to treat digestive issues like irritable bowel syndrome, probiotics may also have therapeutic benefits when applied directly to the skin. While the evidence is so far limited, some studies have found that topical probiotics can be used to treat skin conditions like eczema, dermatitis, and rosacea in humans.To get rid of the anal gland smell on furniture and carpets, try an enzymatic pet cleaner. This cleaner breaks down the odor and removes it rather than just masking the scent. Follow the directions on the specific cleaner you choose for the best results. It’s a good idea to test the cleaner on the surface before using it to ensure it doesn’t bleach or stain it. All dogs need regular ear cleanings. Keep your pet’s ears clean and healthy with EPIOTIC ® Advanced Ear Cleanser. Designed for routine ear cleaning, EPIOTIC ® Advanced Ear Cleanser supports good ear health and should be an important part of your pet’s at-home grooming routine! Choose first-line topical otic medications for cases of acute or occasional otitis externa, reserving second-line otic medications, such as those containing fluoroquinolones, for cases of bacterial otitis due to Pseudomonas species or chronic infections that haven't responded to first-line topical otic antimicrobial products. No commercially available topical otic treatments are labeled for use with a non-intact tympanic membrane, but most of them have been used to treat otic infections in dogs with otitis media. Warn clients to watch for neurological signs of ototoxicity while administering topical medications when the tympanic membrane is not intact. Some veterinarians discourage using wipes over liquid cleansers because they do not provide coverage of the entire ear canal. But while wipes won’t handle the depths and difficult angle of your pup’s inner ear, they can be an excellent solution for maintaining consistent ear health for dogs who struggle during full-on flushings. It is definitely a worthwhile supplement when used in conjunction with other heavy-duty cleaning products—ones that may not need to be used outside of emergencies.

Indications for systemic antifungal agents are similar to those for bacterial infections. Use systemic products in patients with yeast otitis media or severe yeast otitis externa and for owners who cannot administer topical therapy. Otic yeast infections require topical therapy in addition to systemic therapy for resolution. Both ketoconazole and itraconazole have been used in dogs for the treatment of yeast otitis. Your dog's ears are an essential part of their hygiene and health, but ear cleaning solutions are often overlooked. A great solution will help to flush out wax and also eliminate bacteria that could lead to clogs or ear infections. Anti-bacterial and anti-adhesive properties in the formulation means EpiOtic helps to maintain a healthy ear canalSo how do you decide which topical products to choose? Start with the chronicity of the otitis, the results of your otic examination, and your otic cytology results. The results of cytologic examination of otic exudate are the basis for your selection of the active ingredient. Keep in mind that ointment- or suspension-based otic preparations may not be as effective as those that are solution- or emulsion-based if the ears are stenotic or hyperplastic, as may be the case in those patients with chronic otitis externa, but they can be used if the ears aren't stenotic or hyperplastic or in patients with acute otitis externa. Shake well before use, turn the white nozzle to open the bottle and then apply to the ear canal.Gently rub the base of the ear and then wipe the interior of the ear with a swab moistened with Epi-otic. It's important to select a systemic antimicrobial agent based on culture and susceptibility testing from the external ear (for otitis externa) and middle ear (for otitis media), but go ahead and initiate therapy based on cytologic results while you're waiting on culture and susceptibility results.