Mometamax for Dogs – Otitis Externa Treatment
Mometamax is a topical otic combination: gentamicin + mometasone + clotrimazole for otitis externa with bacterial + yeast components.
Dosing
| Weight | Drops Per Ear | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Under 30 lb | 4 drops | Once daily |
| 30+ lb | 8 drops | Once daily |
Duration: 7 days standard.
Active Ingredients
| Component | Action |
|---|---|
| Gentamicin | Antibacterial (gram-negative + Staph) |
| Mometasone | Potent steroid – anti-inflammatory |
| Clotrimazole | Antifungal (Malassezia yeast) |
âš Verify Eardrum Intact
Vet otoscopic exam REQUIRED before use. Gentamicin is ototoxic if eardrum ruptured:
- Permanent hearing loss possible
- Vestibular damage possible
- Alternative: TrizUltra + Keto (gentamicin-free)
Application Technique
- Clean ear with vet-approved cleaner (Epi-Otic, OticClens)
- Allow to dry briefly
- Apply drops to ear canal
- Massage base of ear gently 30 seconds
- Wipe excess from outer ear
- Once daily for 7 days
When Mometamax Fails – Investigate Root Cause
75% of chronic otitis caused by allergies:
- Atopic dermatitis
- Food allergy
Other causes:
- Hypothyroidism
- Cushing’s disease
- Foreign body (grass awn)
- Polyps / tumors
- Anatomic (stenotic canal – Cocker, Shar-Pei)
- Pseudomonas (resistant – culture + TrizEDTA + Baytril Otic)
Pseudomonas Otitis
- Often resistant to gentamicin
- Culture + sensitivity needed
- TrizEDTA + topical fluoroquinolone (Baytril Otic)
- Systemic antibiotics may be needed
Frequently Asked Questions
How much Mometamax do I give my dog?
DROPS PER EAR by weight: 1) Under 30 lb – 4 drops per affected ear; 2) 30+ lb – 8 drops per affected ear. ONCE DAILY for 7 days. CLEAN EAR FIRST with vet-approved cleaner (Epi-Otic Advanced, OticClens). APPLICATION: 1) Fill canal with cleaner; 2) Massage base of ear 30 seconds; 3) Allow dog to shake head; 4) Wipe excess with cotton; 5) Apply Mometamax drops; 6) Massage again 30 seconds. EARDRUM INTACT REQUIRED – vet otoscopic exam before use (gentamicin ototoxic if ruptured). Recheck at 7-14 days. Recurrent = investigate root cause (allergy 75%, endocrine, anatomic).
Can I use Mometamax if my dog’s eardrum is ruptured?
NO – DO NOT USE if eardrum ruptured or status unknown. GENTAMICIN (aminoglycoside) in Mometamax is OTOTOXIC if it reaches the middle ear via ruptured eardrum. CAN CAUSE: 1) PERMANENT HEARING LOSS; 2) VESTIBULAR DAMAGE (head tilt, ataxia, nystagmus); 3) Irreversible cochlear hair cell damage. VET OTOSCOPIC EXAM REQUIRED before starting Mometamax. ALTERNATIVES if eardrum ruptured: 1) TrizUltra + Keto (gentamicin-free); 2) Surolan (less ototoxic); 3) BNT (Tresaderm) – thiabendazole/neomycin/dexamethasone (caution); 4) Compounded silver nitrate solutions; 5) Systemic antibiotics; 6) Address otitis media if present (X-ray, CT). CONFIRM EARDRUM STATUS with vet before any topical otic.
My dog keeps getting ear infections – what’s wrong?
RECURRENT/CHRONIC OTITIS suggests UNDERLYING CAUSE – antimicrobials alone won’t resolve. ROOT CAUSES: 1) ALLERGIES (75% of chronic cases) – atopic dermatitis or food allergy; manage with Apoquel/Cytopoint/cyclosporine + elimination diet; 2) ENDOCRINE – hypothyroidism, Cushings; test + treat underlying; 3) ANATOMIC – stenotic ear canals (Cocker Spaniel, Shar-Pei, Bulldog); TECA (Total Ear Canal Ablation) for severe; 4) FOREIGN BODY – grass awns, foxtails; sedated exam + removal; 5) POLYPS / TUMORS – imaging + removal; 6) RESISTANT BACTERIA – Pseudomonas; culture + sensitivity; 7) BIOFILM – mature infections; TrizEDTA breaks biofilm. WORKUP: ear cytology, culture/sensitivity, video otoscopy, allergy testing, thyroid panel, ACTH stim, possibly CT for middle ear. TREATMENT: address underlying + topical/systemic antibacterials + steroids + ongoing maintenance. Veterinary dermatologist for refractory cases.
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References & Further Reading
The dosing ranges and safety information on this page are drawn from the following veterinary references. Always defer to your own veterinarian and the manufacturer’s label for your specific product.
- Mometamax product information – Merck Animal Health.
- Plumb DC. Gentamicin, mometasone, clotrimazole.
- Hnilica KA. Small Animal Dermatology.
- WSAVA Otitis Guidelines.
- PuppaDogs. Otitis Externa Workup Calculator, Ear Mite Calculator. puppadogs.com.
