Clinical Efficacy of Probiotic-Based Ear Drops Containing Lactobacilli in Canine Erythroceruminous Otitis Externa: An Open Label, Multicentre Study

BACKGROUND: Otitis externa (OE) represents a common clinical problem in dogs. Allergic dogs exhibit reduced diversity of the otic microbiota, and inflammation-induced changes in the ear canal microenvironment result in a further decline in microbial biodiversity. Probiotics have demonstrated efficacy in certain dermatological conditions, including atopic dermatitis, which is, in turn, the leading primary cause of OE in dogs. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of probiotic-based ear drops in controlling clinical signs related to erythroceruminous non-infected OE in dogs. ANIMALS: Thirty-seven privately owned dogs with non-infected OE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dogs received probiotic-based ear drops topically every 48 h for 28 days, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Assessments were performed at enrolment (Day [D]0), D14 and D28, including cytological evaluation of ear discharge, pruritus intensity (PVAS, pruritis Visual Analogue Scale), severity of otic lesions (OTIS3, 0-3 Otitis Index Score) and a quality-of-life survey (QoL). RESULTS: At enrolment (D0), mean OTIS3 and PVAS scores for all included animals were 5.11 ± 1.20 and 4.93 ± 1.51, respectively. Both scores decreased significantly by D28, to 1.66 ± 1.75 and 2.09 ± 2.03, respectively. Clinical improvement was evident regardless of concomitant medication use or the type of micro-organism's overgrowth observed during the initial cytological assessment. Owner-reported QoL improved in 80% of the dogs. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These probiotic-based ear drops may be a useful adjunctive therapy in cases of canine non-infectious erythroceruminous OE.

Authors: I. Carrasco, J. Homedes, A. Arcas, S. Beasley and M. Salichs Title: Clinical Efficacy of Probiotic-Based Ear Drops Containing Lactobacilli in Canine Erythroceruminous Otitis Externa: An Open Label, Multicentre Study Full source: Vet Dermatol, 2026,Vol Document type: Journal Article
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Abstract	Source
BACKGROUND: Otitis externa (OE) represents a common clinical problem in dogs. Allergic dogs exhibit reduced diversity of the otic microbiota, and inflammation-induced changes in the ear canal microenvironment result in a further decline in microbial biodiversity. Probiotics have demonstrated efficacy in certain dermatological conditions, including atopic dermatitis, which is, in turn, the leading primary cause of OE in dogs. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of probiotic-based ear drops in controlling clinical signs related to erythroceruminous non-infected OE in dogs. ANIMALS: Thirty-seven privately owned dogs with non-infected OE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Dogs received probiotic-based ear drops topically every 48 h for 28 days, in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Assessments were performed at enrolment (Day [D]0), D14 and D28, including cytological evaluation of ear discharge, pruritus intensity (PVAS, pruritis Visual Analogue Scale), severity of otic lesions (OTIS3, 0-3 Otitis Index Score) and a quality-of-life survey (QoL). RESULTS: At enrolment (D0), mean OTIS3 and PVAS scores for all included animals were 5.11 ± 1.20 and 4.93 ± 1.51, respectively. Both scores decreased significantly by D28, to 1.66 ± 1.75 and 2.09 ± 2.03, respectively. Clinical improvement was evident regardless of concomitant medication use or the type of micro-organism's overgrowth observed during the initial cytological assessment. Owner-reported QoL improved in 80% of the dogs. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These probiotic-based ear drops may be a useful adjunctive therapy in cases of canine non-infectious erythroceruminous OE.