Which of the following would be considered abnormal in healthy canine external ear canal cytology?

Which of the following would be considered abnormal in healthy canine external ear canal cytology?

• A. Cerumen
• B. Epithelial cells
• C. Malassezia
• D. Debris

Answer: (C)

In a healthy canine external ear canal, the cytology background is mostly keratinized epithelial cells, debris, and cerumen with only minimal microorganisms. Malassezia is a yeast that can be present in small numbers as part of the normal flora, but a noticeable overgrowth of Malassezia on cytology signals a fungal imbalance typically associated with otitis externa. So finding a prominent Malassezia population on the slide would be considered abnormal in a healthy ear. Cerumen, epithelial cells, and debris, on the other hand, are common and expected components of a normal ear canal cytology.

In a healthy canine external ear canal, the cytology background is mostly keratinized epithelial cells, debris, and cerumen with only minimal microorganisms. Malassezia is a yeast that can be present in small numbers as part of the normal flora, but a noticeable overgrowth of Malassezia on cytology signals a fungal imbalance typically associated with otitis externa. So finding a prominent Malassezia population on the slide would be considered abnormal in a healthy ear. Cerumen, epithelial cells, and debris, on the other hand, are common and expected components of a normal ear canal cytology.