Inner Ear Plaque in Horses

 Aural Plaque

Also called aural papilloma, aural plaque is a condition affecting the inside of a horse’s ear. A white, plaque-like material, it sometimes appears thick and crusty. In most cases, there is tender pink skin underneath the plaque. It is a rather painful condition that should be treated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Once aural plaque begins, it is tough to get rid of permanently.

Symptoms and Types

These are some signs which can be seen in the horse's inner ear:

• White, crusty plaque

• Lesions

• Thick, pink skin underneath lesions

Causes

• Infection

  • Wart-causing virus (papillomavirus)

• Fly bites

Diagnosis

While it is easy for your veterinarian to diagnose aural plaque, most experienced horse owners can detect aural plaque, too, as the symptoms are quite obvious. During the summer months, the prevalence of small black biting flies make this an even larger issue, as they tend to aggravate the condition even more.