Inflammation of the ear.

Depending upon which part of the ear is inflamed, there is

• otitis externa (external otitis or "swimmer's ear" is an infection of the skin covering the outer ear and ear canal in which acute external otitis is commonly a bacterial infection caused by streptococcus, staphylococcus, or pseudomonas types of bacteria),
• otitis media (inflammation of the middle ear which is an inflammation that often begins with infections that cause sore throats, colds, or other respiratory problems, and spreads to the middle ear), and
• otitis interna (inflammation of the inner ear, or labyrinthitis, inflammation of the labyrinth, or the maze of canals in the inner ear which are in the portion of the ear that is responsible for sensing balance).

An infestation of the auditory canal of cats, dogs, foxes, and other animals by auricular mites: Otoacariasis is an invasion of parasites in the ears that causes considerable discomfort and tenderness.

In extreme cases, parasitic otitides cause symptoms, such as loss of appetite, wasting away, and fits.