The following is a summary of Dr. Conchita Hernan-Perez Gonzalez’s article: Treatment and Prevention of 95% of Cases of Otitis Externa in Dogs Caused by Malassezia Spp., with a Boric Acid, Glycolic Acid and Ceramides Solution which was published in May of 2017.

Otitis Externa is an acute infection of the ear canal caused by organisms such as Staphylococcus spp, Pseudomonas spp, Streptococcus spp, Escherichia coli spp, Klebsiella spp, Bacteroides spp, Pasteurella spp and Malassezia spp.

The most common type of external ear infection found in many warm-blooded vertebrates is Malassezia pachydermatis, a lipophilic yeast found in the stratum corneum. An effective treatment for Malassezia is the GlycoZoo Otic, an aqueous solution for dogs, cats, and horses containing Boric acid, Glycolic Acid and Ceramides. It has antimicrobial, ceruminolytic, keratolytic, lipolytic, drying, non-irritating and regenerating properties that work well against Malassezia.

The Boric Acid has a drying action and can inhibit fungal metabolism in Malassezia.  Glycolic Acid, a very small molecular Alpha Hydroxy Acid, easily penetrates the deep layers of the skin. It is exfoliating, keratolytic and lipolytic. Ceramides are waxy lipid molecules found in the stratum corneum of the skin that join the cells together. Ceramides promote regeneration and repair of the skin as well as restoring the skins hydration.

In a recent study performed by Dr. Conchita Hernan Perez Gonzalez, 40 dogs diagnosed with Malassezia were treated with GlycoZoo Otic. Over a period of 10 months, 95% of the dogs showed a decrease in Malassezia spp.  In puppies, the treatment was rapid and effective taking only approximately 15 days. However, in the more chronic cases of Malassezia seen, the treatment took on average 45 days.

Many commercial otic products on the market contain topical antibiotics and steroids which can predispose dogs and cats to otomycosis. These antibiotic treatments used within the ear canal destroy the microbiome and pathogenic microorganisms within the ear. In fact, a very large percentage of dogs diagnosed with otitis externa are atopic and actually have fewer species in their microbiome. Therefore, it is important to administer a treatment such as GlycoZoo Otic that does not alter the microbiome of the ear while still having an antimicrobial, ceruminolytic, keratolytic, lipolytic, drying, non-irritating and regenerating effect against Malassezia.

Zeke Melman, Western University of Health Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine