Dr. Benaryeh from Spicewood Animal Hospital was presented with a dog that had been suffering with chronic ear infections for 6 years. Fortunately, Dr. Benaryeh acquired the OtoPet-USA Video Vetscope Tower System, and while the dog was under general anesthesia he was able to visualize polyps covering the tympanic membranes of both ears. Pictures of the polyps were taken and printed for the owner. The equipment also allowed Dr. Benaryeh to remove the polyps with forceps through the 2mm working channel attached to the videoscope. Once the polyps were removed they were sent to the lab for evaluation. Additionally, a swab of the exudate was taken with the videoscope probe through the working channel, and then a cytology slide was made for evaluation. The exudate was found to be rods on cytology and the appropriate topical medication, such as Triz-EDTA with Baytril and DexSP, was dispensed.
Polyp Removal
During the procedure the videoscope working channel was also used to obtain a culture from both ears. The cultures allowed Dr. Benaryeh to prescribe the appropriate oral antibiotic, as oral antibiotics are dispensed based on culture and sensitivity, while topical antibiotics reach concentrations well above the minimal inhibitory concentration on the culture and sensitivity, and as a result can be used topically even if the bacteria is resistant. The Earigator was used during the procedure, and Dr. Benaryeh was amazed by the visualization and quality while irrigating and flushing the ears.
Fortunately, the polyps that were causing the chronic ear infections were found to be benign. The dog is now comfortable and doing well. The underlying cause for the chronic otitis was addressed and the patient hasn’t presented with otitis again. Ear problems can be chronic and difficult to treat. As a general practitioner, you likely see several patients with ear infections daily, and there is nothing more frustrating then unsuccessfully trying to treat these ear infections. When these patients present we usually do cytology and treat accordingly. However, many of these patients eventually present again with the same infection in the same ear. However, the OtoPet-USA Video Vetscope allows you to visualize and successfully treat these ear problems everyday.
The equipment allows you to look inside the ear and get great visualization. You can see what you couldn’t see before. You can visualize tympanic membranes, intact or ruptured, find polyps in the horizontal ear canal or sometimes even foreign bodies. These are just a few of the chronic offenders that make treating otitis so challenging. There is a lens offered with the videoscope equipment as well. The lens attaches to your hospital microscope and allows you to take a picture of the cytology. The picture can be printed for owners or sent to other veterinarians for evaluation. The tower system also comes with an Earigator that is used to irrigate and flush the ears.
If you have an interesting case that you would like to submit with pictures, please contact Dr. Jessica Melman Bhatia at jessvet3@aol.com.