DOI
https://doi.org/10.18849/ve.v11i1.734Abstract
PICO Question
In adult dogs, are single or two dose veterinarian-administered ear treatments as effective in the treatment of otitis externa as daily prescription at-home cleaning/medicating treatments?
Clinical bottom line
Category of research
Treatment.
Number and type of study designs reviewed
Three randomised-controlled studies were critically appraised.
Strength of evidence
Strong.
Outcomes reported
All three studies demonstrated that both daily at-home cleaner/prescription medication and either single or two-dose veterinarian-administered ear treatments for canine otitis externa were effective. When comparing the final outcomes, there were no significant differences in the efficacy of either treatment option. One of the three studies reviewed did not note initial variations in pruritus levels within the first seven days, but by the end of each trial, both treatment protocols proved effective in reducing pruritus, pain, and cytology counts–including bacteria and fungi–with low relapse rates reported.
Conclusion
Two dose veterinarian-administered ear treatments like Osurnia® show comparable efficacy in reducing the treatment of otitis externa in adult dogs when compared to daily at home treatments. Both types of treatments demonstrated similar success rates, with no significant difference in recurrence rates across the studies.
References
Heuer, L., Wilhelm, C., Roy, O., Löhlein, W., Wolf, O. & Zschiesche, E. (2024). Clinical safety and efficacy of a single-dose gentamicin, posaconazole and mometasone furoate otic suspension for treatment of canine otitis externa. Vet Record. 194(9), e3955 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.3955
King, S.B., Doucette, K.P., Seewald, W. & Forster S.L. (2018). A randomized, controlled, single-blinded, multicenter evaluation of the efficacy and safety of a once weekly two dose otic gel containing florfenicol, terbinafine and betamethasone administered for the treatment of canine otitis externa. BMC Veterinary Research. 14(1), 307. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-018-1627-5
Noli, C., Sartori, R. & Cena, T. (2017). Impact of a terbinafine-florfenicol-betamethasone acetate otic gel on the quality of life of dogs with acute otitis externa and their owners. Veterinary Dermatology. 28(4). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/vde.12433
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ashlee Minne, Isabella Alarcon, Garen Burch, Stephanie Kay, Osdel Macides, Caroline Thompson, Mariah K. Zeigler
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