Which organism is a common cause of canine otitis externa?

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Multiple Choice

Which organism is a common cause of canine otitis externa?

Otitis externa in dogs is most often a mixed infection where yeast and bacteria flourish in the inflamed, moist ear canal. Malassezia pachydermatis is the most frequently isolated yeast in canine ears, and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is the most common bacterial pathogen recovered from these infections. Their simultaneous presence explains why this combination is a typical culprit for canine otitis externa. While other organisms like Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Escherichia coli can appear, especially in chronic or untreated cases, they are not as consistently implicated as the Malassezia–Staphylococcus pair. Candida albicans is less common than Malassezia in dogs.

Otitis externa in dogs is most often a mixed infection where yeast and bacteria flourish in the inflamed, moist ear canal. Malassezia pachydermatis is the most frequently isolated yeast in canine ears, and Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is the most common bacterial pathogen recovered from these infections. Their simultaneous presence explains why this combination is a typical culprit for canine otitis externa. While other organisms like Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Escherichia coli can appear, especially in chronic or untreated cases, they are not as consistently implicated as the Malassezia–Staphylococcus pair. Candida albicans is less common than Malassezia in dogs.

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