Effect of an ear cleaner instillation containing lipacids in a model of re-acidification of the external auditory canal in dogs

Abstract

Background: In humans, the acidic pH of the ear canal plays a protective role against infection and a change towards alkalinity of the external auditory canal (EAC) is a local factor in the progression of acute to chronic otitis externa (OE). The use of acidic preparations alone for treatment of OE without concurrent antibiotic use is well-documented in humans. In dogs, only one study has investigated the EAC pH in healthy dogs and in dogs with OE, and investigations to understand the role of EAC pH in the pathogenesis of canine OE are lacking. Hypothesis/objectives: To obtain physiological EAC pH values in beagle dogs. To develop a model of re-acidification of the EAC in dogs and to investigate how an acidic solution may accelerate the return to a physiological pH. Animals: Ten healthy beagle dogs in a laboratory setting. Materials and Methods: A model of re-acidification of the EAC was developed by instillation of a pH 10.1 phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution and the subsequent acidic effect of an ear cleaner containing lipacids was evaluated in this model. Results: Mean physiological EAC pH was 6.12 (± 0.36). EAC re-acidification took up to 9 h in this model. Mean pH values dropped immediately to 6.38 (± 0.27) on ears treated with an acidic ear cleaner. No abrupt drop was observed of the mean pH values for the control ears. Conclusion and clinical importance: This study confirms that physiological EAC pH in dogs is acidic. This model of re-acidification of the EAC pH allows investigations on acidic properties of topical ear products in healthy ears.