Erythemato-ceruminous otitis externa (ECOE) is the most common type of otitis in dogs and is generally associated with bacterial and/or yeast infections. The performance of an ear cleaner was assessed over two weeks in canine ECOE, associated with a mild or moderate secondary infection, in a prospective open-label study. Forty ear canals with ECOE that did not receive any type of aural treatment and were not cleaned for 7 days were included. Pruritus (PS), 0–3 Otitis Index Score (OTIS-3) and 0–4 scale cytology (CYTO) scores were assessed on Day (D) 0, D7 and D14. Concentrations of a panel of 13 cytokines on the ear canal surface and the lipid profile of the exudate were measured on D0 and D14. From D0 to D12 or D13, the dogs’ ears were cleaned daily if the secretion score (SEC) was 3/3, every second day if the score was 2/3 and every third day if the score was 1/3. PS, OTIS-3, SEC and CYTO were significantly lower on D7 compared to baseline (−40%, −31%, −36%, −34%, respectively; p < 0.0001). The same parameters decreased further on D14 (−60%, −53%, −61%, −73%, respectively; p < 0.0001) and amounts of interleukin 8 and chemokine KC-like were also reduced compared to baseline (−45%, p < 0.01; −36%, p = 0.3, respectively). The lipid profile was also modified, with a decrease in free lipids and an increase in bound lipids.

Cutaneous cytokines and chemokines are involved in the pathogenesis of human and canine atopic dermatitis. The aim of the present study was to discriminate cytokine expression in the ear canals of atopic dogs with otitis, dogs with non-allergic inflammatory otitis (otodectic mange) and healthy non-atopic dogs. The ear canals of nine atopic dogs suffering from non-infected otitis externa (n = 14 ears), 10 healthy dogs suffering from otodectic mange (n = 20 ears) and 21 healthy controls (39 ears) were swabbed. The concentrations of a panel of 13 cytokines and chemokines on the aural surface were measured by multiplex analyses (Milliplex Canine Cytokine Panel). In addition, Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI)-04 and Otitis Index Score (OTIS3) scores were used to evaluate the overall status of the dogs. The concentration of IL-8 was significantly higher in the ears of atopic dogs and dogs with otodectic mange compared to those of healthy dogs. Significant increases in the levels of IL-10 were also overexpressed in atopic otitis but at lower rates. The concentrations of interleukin(IL)-8 were positively correlated with the OTIS3 hyperplasia score in atopic dogs. Taken together, these results suggest that IL-8 is overexpressed in atopic otitis and otodectic mange and that levels correlate with the otitis severity in atopic dogs.

The study aimed to evaluate the tolerance, performance and effect on hair lipids and skin hydration of a protocol combining applications of one shampoo and subsequent mousses containing plant extracts (Ophytrium and Seboliance) in dogs with an undiagnosed chronic greasy keratinisation disorder. Six dogs were washed with plain water on day (D)0. Twelve dogs were shampooed on D0 and received eight mousse applications at 48–72 h intervals from D2 to D18. Clinical score (CS), Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMF) and hair lipids (HL) were evaluated on D0, D0 + 4 h, D7, D14 and D24. At baseline, no significant differences were observed in CS, NMF and HL between groups. In the control group, CS and HL remained stable throughout the study while a slight decrease in NMF was observed at D0 + 4 h. CS was significantly reduced in the test group between D0 and D7 (−53%) which reached 91% at D24 (p < 0.05), with no side effects. NMF levels decreased in the test group at D0 + 4 h (−73%, p < 0.0001) and returned to baseline from D14. In conclusion, one shampoo and subsequent mousse applications rapidly and safely improved coat quality in dogs with an undiagnosed keratinisation disorder without affecting NMF and HL contents over the study period.