29/10/2025
🦠Let’s Talk About Ear Cytology!
Ever wondered what your vet looks for under the microscope when your dog has an ear infection? 🔬
Ear infections are very common in dogs. Some breeds are more prone than others, but any dog can develop one! They sometimes happen secondary to something else — for example, allergies.
When we say infection, we’re talking about microorganisms such as bacteria or yeast (and occasionally mites, though we’ll assume your dog’s parasite prevention is up to date ).
Because bacteria and yeast need very different treatments, we always start by taking a swab sample from your dog’s ear. This allows us to check under the microscope and see what’s really going on.
Sometimes what we find tells us we need to go a step further and send a sample to an external laboratory for culture and sensitivity testing 🧫. This test helps us identify the exact type of bacteria growing and, more importantly, which antibiotics it’s most sensitive to. That way, your dog receives the most effective treatment right from the start, rather than trying medications that might not work.
In the photos, you can see examples of what we might find under the microscope — things like rods and Malassezia (yeast).
When we spot rods, that’s our cue to send a sample for culture and sensitivity, as these bacteria are often tougher and more resistant to standard antibiotics.
So next time your vet mentions ear cytology, you’ll know we’re not just “looking at ear wax” — we’re gathering the information we need to give your pet the best care possible! ❤️
