079 Ear Masses in Dogs and Cats: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Recurring ear infections aren't always just bacteria or yeast—sometimes, there's a hidden growth deep inside the ear canal. In this episode, board-certified veterinary dermatologists Dr. Brittany Lancellotti and Dr. Austin Richman explain how ear masses are diagnosed and treated, and how advanced tools like video otoscopy and CT scans can make all the difference. You'll hear Holly's story—a case where minimally invasive treatment saved her ear and avoided a $15,000 surgery estimate. Whether you're a pet owner facing stubborn ear problems or a veterinary professional wanting to learn more about referral cases, this discussion will give you practical insight into how ear masses can be managed for the best outcomes. What You'll Learn in This Episode: The different types of ear masses in dogs and cats — and why not all are cancerous How an ear mass can cause chronic infections The PSPP framework for understanding ear disease Why CT scans are a highly recommended tool before and during treatment How video otoscopy can be used for minimally invasive mass removal and improving outcomes Risks, recovery, and prognosis after mass removal Resources: 📸Episode page with blog post and images 🥼Schedule your consult with Veterinary Skin and Ear in Los Angeles 🔬 Find a Veterinary Dermatologist Near You Our vision is for Your Vet Wants You to Know to be a resource for veterinarians to improve client communication by introducing a discussion about a common topic during the vet visit, then directing the client to a reliable source of engaging, understandable, and accessible information.   By doing so, we strive for: 1) increased pet health literacy among pet owners,   2) improved partnership between clients and the veterinary team,   3) improved medical outcomes for pets, and   4) improved quality of life and efficiency for veterinarians.   Help support our mission through BUY ME A COFFEE: https://buymeacoffee.com/yourvet Connect with Your Vet! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourvetwantsyoutoknow Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yourvetwantsyoutoknow Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yourvetwantsyoutoknow