Recurring ear infections aren’t always just bacteria or yeast—sometimes, there’s a hidden growth deep inside the ear canal. In this episode of the Ear SCOPE series, 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 episode will give you practical insight into how ear masses can be managed for the best outcomes.
Types of Ear Masses in Dogs and Cats
An ear mass is a growth inside the ear canal that can range from harmless benign tissue to malignant cancer. While some are slow-growing and isolated to the ear canal, others can spread and cause serious health problems.
Common types of ear masses include:
Benign masses – such as inflammatory polyps or adenomas
Hyperplastic tissue – overgrowth from chronic inflammation that mimics a mass
Malignant tumors – including adenocarcinoma, mast cell tumors, or lymphoma
Even benign masses can cause trouble. They can trap debris, block airflow, and create the perfect environment for recurring infections.
Veterinary dermatology specialists are uniquely equipped to diagnose and treat these cases, often using advanced tools like CT scans and video otoscopes to guide treatment.
At Veterinary Skin and Ear in Los Angeles, board-certified veterinary dermatologists Dr. Brittany Lancellotti and Dr. Austin Richman see a wide variety of ear masses in both dogs and cats. Their collaborative approach blends high-level diagnostic imaging with minimally invasive procedures to improve patient outcomes.
Holly’s Story: From a Scary Diagnosis to a Full Recovery
Holly, a small dog, was referred to surgery for ear removal after a mass was discovered. The estimate was over $15,000—far beyond what her owner could afford.
A CT scan at Veterinary Skin and Ear showed the mass was confined to the ear canal. Using a video otoscope and laser, the veterinary dermatology team removed the benign mass. Holly recovered fully, kept her ear, and had no more infections.
Ear Masses Are a Primary Cause of Ear Infections in Dogs and Cats: The PSPP Approach
Veterinarians use the PSPP classification system to understand ear infections:
Primary – The underlying cause of the ear problem (in this case, the mass)
Secondary – Infections with bacteria or yeast caused by the primary issue
Perpetuating – Changes from chronic inflammation (thickened canal walls, biofilm) that make infection harder to clear
Predisposing – Breed or anatomical factors (e.g., Cocker Spaniels’ long ear flaps) that increase risk
Without addressing the primary cause—the mass—treating only the infection will not work.
Signs Your Pet Might Have an Ear Mass
Ear masses often cause non-specific symptoms, which can be mistaken for simple ear infections:
Head shaking or ear scratching
Discharge or bad odor from the ear
Blood from the ear canal
Neurologic signs: head tilt, flickering eyes, uneven pupils
If these signs are present, your veterinarian should examine the ear and may recommend further testing.
Diagnosing an Ear Mass
The diagnostic process typically includes:
Otoscopy – initial visual inspection with a handheld otoscope
CT scan – mapping the size, location, and bone involvement of the mass
Video otoscopy under anesthesia – high-definition internal view and potential mass removal or sampling
CT scans are critical for detecting deeper spread into the middle ear, inner ear, or surrounding bone, which cannot be seen with basic equipment.
Treating Ear Masses with Video Otoscopy
The video otoscope allows specialists to:
Pass fine instruments through working channels
Loop, grasp, or section a mass for removal
Use a surgical laser for precision tissue ablation
In select cases, this minimally invasive approach can avoid more invasive surgery. In others, it can prepare the ear for surgical referral by reducing infection and inflammation.
In this video, a surgical laser is inserted through the video otoscope to ablate (burn) the mass growing in Holly’s ear.
Risks and Recovery for Ear Masses in Dogs and Cats
While most patients recover smoothly, possible risks include:
Temporary nerve inflammation causing head tilt or eye changes (abnormal eye movements, drooping upper eyelid, decreased tear production, raised third eyelid)
Minor bleeding
In rare cases, need for follow-up surgery if complete removal isn’t possible
Tissue samples are always submitted to a veterinary pathologist for definitive diagnosis, which informs prognosis and next steps.
Prognosis for Ear Masses in Dogs and Cats
Outcomes vary widely:
Benign masses may be cured with a single procedure.
Malignant tumors may require surgery to remove the ear canal and may need an oncologist’s care.
Early detection and advanced imaging significantly improve the chance of a positive outcome.
When to See a Specialist for Ear Masses in Dogs and Cats
If your pet’s ear infections keep coming back, it’s worth asking your veterinarian whether an ear mass could be involved. A referral to a veterinary dermatologist provides access to:
Specialized imaging
Advanced surgical tools
Experience managing complex ear disease
For pet owners near Los Angeles, Veterinary Skin and Ear offers on-site CT scanning, video otoscopy, and laser removal of ear masses.
