Why is Pre-Treatment Necessary?
- Medication Penetration: Accumulated cerumen and debris can obstruct the ear canal, impeding the absorption of therapeutic agents. Pre-treatment cleaning ensures that medications reach their intended targets within the ear canal.
- Reduction of Microbial Load: Cleaning diminishes the population of pathogenic microorganisms, which is essential for resolving infections and reducing the reliance on systemic antibiotics.
- Disruption of Biofilms: Certain pathogens, such as Pseudomonas species, can form biofilms that protect them from antimicrobial agents. Pre-treatment cleaning helps in disrupting these biofilms, rendering the pathogens more susceptible to treatment.
Impact on Antibiotic Resistance
The overuse of systemic antibiotics in otitis cases, especially when biofilms are present, has been linked to increased resistance in common veterinary pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius, and Escherichia coli (Weese et al., 2019). Studies show that pre-treatment with ceruminolytics and biofilm-disrupting agents enhances the effectiveness of topical antibiotics, reducing the need for systemic treatments and minimizing resistance risks (Goggs et al., 2018).
By incorporating evidence-based pre-treatment protocols, veterinarians can significantly improve treatment success rates, prevent recurring infections, and contribute to antibiotic stewardship in veterinary medicine.
