Veterinary 2025 Guide: Osurnia® Otic Gel for Canine Otitis Externa 🐶🩺

Hello, I’m Dr Duncan Houston BVSc. This 2025 guide covers Osurnia® Otic Gel—an innovative, long-acting combination therapy for canine otitis externa. We'll explore its formulation and mechanism, dosing protocol, safety concerns (including hearing and eye risks), contraindications, monitoring, and client education supported by Ask A Vet tools 😊.

🔎 1. What Is Osurnia®?

Osurnia® combines:

• Florfenicol – broad-spectrum antibiotic targeting Staph. pseudintermedius.
• Terbinafine – antifungal agent effective against Malassezia pachydermatis.
• Betamethasone acetate – corticosteroid to reduce inflammation and itching :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}.

FDA-approved for treating acute and recurrent otitis externa in dogs :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.

💧 2. Dosing Protocol

• Two in-clinic doses, 7 days apart. Each dose: 1 tube (1 mL) per affected ear :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}.
• No ear cleaning for 45 days after the first dose; gel adheres and treats throughout :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
• Improvement most often occurs within 30–45 days post-first dose :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}.

⚠️ 3. Safety & Adverse Events

• Common clinical reactions: vomiting, transient hearing loss, elevated liver enzymes, ear irritation, head shaking :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}.
• Rare serious effects: ataxia, head tilt, nystagmus, corneal ulcers, facial paralysis, keratoconjunctivitis sicca, and ear drum rupture :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}.
• Eye exposure risk: splashes from shaking can cause corneal ulcers and eye irritation in dogs and humans—wear eye protection and restrain the dog during application :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.

🚫 4. Contraindications & Precautions

• Do not use if the eardrum is perforated :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}.
• Avoid in dogs with hypersensitivity to any active ingredients or excipients :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
• Not for use in pregnant, breeding, or lactating dogs; safety not established :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}.
• Use carefully in dogs with liver or kidney disease due to systemic absorption :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.

🩺 5. Monitoring & Follow‑Up

• Check for hearing changes, head tilt, ear pain, discharge, or systemic signs of illness daily.
• If severe signs appear, reevaluate ear canal status—conduct otoscopic exam and consider culturing.
• Schedule a recheck 7 days after the first dose (for the second dose) and again at 45 days to confirm resolution.

📝 6. Client Education & Home Support

• Explain in-clinic dosing, absence of ear cleaning for 45 days, and expected treatment timeline.
• Demonstrate safe handling: wear gloves, use eye protection, and secure the dog to prevent splatter.
• Clarify common vs. serious side effects—including when to seek immediate veterinary care.
• Recommend using Ask A Vet app for treatment reminders, symptom logging, secure photo uploads, and direct vet messaging 😊.

📌 7. 2025 Vet Takeaways

• Osurnia® offers a convenient dual-dose gel therapy combining antibiotic, antifungal, and steroid action.
• Avoid ear cleaning to maintain gel contact and maximize effectiveness.
• Watch for hearing loss, eye exposure, and rare neurologic or ocular adverse effects.
• Restraint, gloves, and eye protection are essential during application.
• Digital owner support via Ask A Vet can improve adherence and outcomes 😊.

At Ask A Vet, we provide treatment schedules, adverse-effect alerts, and 24/7 veterinary messaging tools to help clients manage ear infections effectively. Encourage owners to download our app for seamless care ❤️