Video-otoscopy

To optimize treatment of pets with chronic ear infections, Dermatology Clinic for Animals utilizes video-otoscopy. This procedure involves the use of specialized equipment which has a highly magnified camera lens used to examine the deeper parts of the ear canal, the ear drum, and the middle ear. It is very helpful in identifying foreign objects and tumors in the canal, abnormalities of the eardrum, and infection of the middle ear. Additionally, instruments can be inserted through the video-otoscope to grasp or biopsy objects in the ear canal, or to flush debris out of the ear canal and middle ear. Findings can be documented via photographs and video recordings. Video-otoscopy is a valuable tool in enabling our veterinarians to accurately diagnose and treat challenging cases of chronic ear infections in companion animals.

A normal canine eardrum

An eardrum perforation is evident by the escaping air bubble

An inflammatory polyp obstructs the ear canal

An aggressive ear canal cancer (squamous cell carcinoma)

An inflamed, infected ear canal prior to video-otoscopy guided flush

Post flush, the eardrum is now visible

Wax and debris obscure the eardrum

Post flush, the thickened eardrum and a small polyp are revealed

The same ear canal after video-otoscopy guided ear flush

An ear canal filled with wax and infection due to allergies

After the mass is removed, the ear canal can now be visualized...

An inflammatory polyp obstructs the ear canal

...and the eardrum is verified to be intact