01/10/2026
Meet Sid: A Success Story from Our Dermatology Team 🐾
Sid is a lovely 4-year-old Labrador who is always gentle, timid, and impeccably behaved when he visits us. At home, he lives with his adoptive brother Paddy, a bouncy chocolate Labrador who keeps him on his toes!
In January 2026, Sid was referred to our Dermatology Department after struggling with persistent ear infections (otitis) since he was just 8 months old. Despite multiple topical treatments, his ear problems remained unresolved.
When Sid came to see us, both ear canals were severely inflamed, swollen, and filled with pus. To fully assess the extent of the disease, we performed a CT scan and video-otoendoscopy.
The CT scan allowed us to rule out involvement of the middle and inner ear, as well as any damage to surrounding tissues. Using the video-otoscope, we were able to thoroughly flush Sid's ear canals and remove the accumulated pus, while also assessing the health of the ear canal lining.
Unfortunately, years of inflammation had caused significant structural changes to the ear canals. The tissue was ulcerated and thickened, and the normal self-cleaning function of the ear had been compromised. While oral anti-inflammatory medication and topical antibiotics quickly brought the infection under control, these longstanding structural changes could not be reversed.
As a result, Sid will require ongoing maintenance treatment for the rest of his life to help keep his ears comfortable and healthy.
The good news? At his most recent recheck, Sid's caregivers reported a fantastic improvement. He no longer has a head tilt, isn't shaking his head or scratching at his ears, and there is no unpleasant smell or discharge. Best of all, Paddy has stopped licking Sid's ears, a sure sign that they're much more comfortable!
We're delighted with Sid's progress and look forward to helping him stay happy and comfortable for many years to come. 💙
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