A case report on Malassezia otitis externa in a three-year-old beagle dog

Abstract

A three-year-old male Beagle dog was presented to the Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex, Veterinary College and Research Institute, Tirunelveli, with a history of itching, erythematous, and waxy ear canals accompanied by tick infestation. Cytological examination of an ear canal swab revealed numerous Malassezia organisms, confirming Malassezia otitis externa. Serum biochemistry revealed mild alterations, including elevated blood urea nitrogen and bilirubin values. The dog was treated with systemic antifungal therapy (ketoconazole), topical ear drops (Pomisol), antihistaminic (Atarax), tick control (Simparica), and supportive nutritional supplementation (Multistar Pet syrup). Marked clinical improvement was observed after two weeks of therapy. This case highlights the importance of accurate cytological diagnosis and integrated therapeutic management of Malassezia otitis externa in dogs.