Oti-Pack for Dogs: What It Is and How It Works
Ear infections are very common in dogs, especially those with allergic skin disease. Most ear infections are treated topically, meaning medication is placed directly in the ear, but this comes with challenges. It’s not always easy for pet parents to administer medication into a painful ear multiple times a day, sometimes for as long as 14 days.
Instead of traditional medication, your veterinarian may recommend something called an Oti-Pack for dogs, which they can administer directly into the infected ear in the clinic. Learn what an Oti-Pack is, its benefits, and what to expect if your dog receives this treatment.
What Is an Oti-Pack for Dogs?
An Oti-Pack is a type of compounded dog ear infection medication. Oti-Packs come as a pre-packed, 3-mL syringe with a customized dog ear infection ointment. The otic ointment for dogs is administered directly into the affected ear in the veterinary clinic, which helps pet parents avoid the hassle of administering ear medications at home.
The medications included in the Oti-Pack can be customized based on the type of ear infection the dog has. Generally, an Oti-Pack is a one-dose treatment administered by the veterinarian that dissipates over the course of seven to 10 days.
This medication differs from traditional ear infection medications like ointments or drops in that it:
- Usually only requires one dose
- Continues to have activity for seven to 10 days
- Is administered in the veterinary clinic rather than by the pet parent
- Is customized to meet the pet’s individual needs
Oti-Pack for Dogs: How Does It Work and What Does It Treat?
Oti-Packs can include antibacterial, antifungal, and/or corticosteroid medications. It is relatively common for the Oti-Pack to include one of each, though your veterinarian can pick and choose individual ingredients based on the type of ear infection your pet has. Antibacterial medications, such as amikacin or chloramphenicol, treat bacterial ear infections like staph infections. Antifungal medications like ketoconazole can treat yeast infections. Corticosteroids like triamcinolone help to reduce inflammation, pain, and itching within the ear.
The medications come prepared in an oily lanolin base, which helps the medications remain stable while in the ear. Once the medication is administered, it will become semi-solid within the ear canal. The treatment slowly dissipates over the course of seven to 10 days, allowing for continuous treatment of the infected ear during that time.
An Oti-Pack can be used for both acute and chronic ear infections, though treatment success is more likely with an acute infection. Chronic ear infections can result in changes to the structure and function of the ear canal, which may make the dog prone to additional ear infections in the future. Chronic ear infections can also cause thickening of the ear canal that can make topical administration of medications difficult. In these cases, Oti-Pack may be combined with oral treatments, as well.
What to Expect from Oti-Pack for Dogs
Prior to administration, the veterinarian will gently clean your dog’s ear. If your dog is too painful to allow ear cleaning, the clinic may administer light sedation.
After the ear is clean, the dog is gently restrained by a veterinary assistant or technician. The syringe tip will be placed directly into the ear canal, and the otic pack for dogs will be administered. Some dogs will stand comfortably during the procedure while others may wiggle a bit. If the ear is painful, the dog may react to the syringe being placed in their ear.
For smaller dogs, often those 35 pounds or under, a half of a syringe may be used in each ear. For larger dogs, a full syringe may be necessary for each ear. Individual dosing may vary.
The team should continue to gently restrain the dog for a short while after administration to allow the medication to sit in the ear. The medication will become semi-solid, allowing it to slowly dissipate and continue to take effect in the ear for seven to 10 days.
The medication will be visible in the dog’s ear, and it is possible for some to come out. You can gently clean it away from the fur of your dog’s ear with a wet washcloth or pet-safe wipe.
Keep in mind that the medication will be occluding the ear canal. This means your dog’s hearing may be muffled for a few days. If your dog seems less reactive to noise or to your commands, it may simply be that they’re not hearing you as well. Once the treatment dissipates, hearing should return to normal.
Oti-Pack for Dogs: Other Considerations
The cost of your dog’s Oti-Pack treatment will depend on the combination of ingredients used and the size of your pet. Larger dogs will usually require a syringe for each ear, meaning they’ll need twice as much medication as a smaller dog. Altogether, you can probably expect to pay around $150–$200 for an exam, ear cytology, ear cleaning, and treatment.
Some Oti-Pack medication combinations are not safe to use in the ear if the ear drum is ruptured. Damage to the inner ear can cause loss of hearing and balance issues. Your veterinarian should examine your dog’s ear canals prior to administration to make sure Oti-Pack is a safe option.
The administration tip included with Oti-Packs is blunt to reduce damage to the ear, but if your dog jerks their head during treatment, it is possible for them to experience discomfort. Inflamed ears are more likely to bleed, as well.
Some medication may leak from the ear canal. You can gently wipe this away with a wet washcloth or pet-safe wipes. Do not stick anything in your dog’s ear while they are receiving treatment. Your dog’s head should not be bathed, and they should not go swimming during treatment.
As previously mentioned, the medication will occlude the ear canal, potentially affecting your dog’s hearing for the duration of treatment. Your dog may be less reactive to noise or commands during this time.
If you are concerned that your dog may have an ear infection or have any questions about Oti-Pack treatments, contact your veterinarian.
