Bacterial contamination of commercial ear cleaners following routine home use.

Bartlett SJ, Rosenkrantz WS, Sanchez S.Source

Animal Dermatology Clinic, Marietta, GA 30062, USA Animal Dermatology Clinic, Tustin, CA 92780, USA Department of Infectious Diseases and Athens Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602, USA.

Abstract

Ear cleaning solutions are designed for repeated use, which raises the possibility for bacterial contamination leading to recurrent or persistent infectious otitis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of bacterial contamination of commercial ear cleaners following routine home use in dogs and to describe the characteristics that are associated with contamination. Used ear cleaner bottles and information regarding their use were obtained from canine owners visiting veterinary dermatologists. Both the bottle applicator tips and the solution contents were cultured for aerobic bacteria. Bacterial contamination was present on 10% of the bottle tips and in 2% of the solutions. Isolated bacteria included Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, Bacillus spp., coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp., Micrococcus spp. and Burkholderia cepacia. The contamination rate was significantly higher on the applicator tips than in the solutions (P 

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