A Cautionary Tale: Our Experience with Otosolana and the Importance of Protective Measures
add_circle Pros
- The packaging was nice and the bottle design was pretty cool, but let's get to the good stuff.
- The value for money was decent, considering the price point, but it's not the best in its class.
- The shipping was fast, which was a nice surprise, but the build quality could've been better.
- The ease of use was a breeze, but the customer support was a bit lacking.
- The return policy was okay, but the battery life was a major letdown.
remove_circle Cons
- The build quality was a major disappointment, with some parts feeling flimsy and cheap.
- The customer support was unresponsive and unhelpful, which was a major issue.
- The return policy was a hassle to navigate, and the process was slow and painful.
- The battery life was a major problem, with it dying on us after just a few uses.
- The value for money was not as good as we expected, considering the price point.
Gallery
Editor's Summary
We're sharing our honest experience with Otosolana, a product that promised a lot but delivered some unexpected surprises. We used it for a while and here's the lowdown on what worked and what didn't. From the build quality to customer support, we're giving you the real deal on what to expect. Our goal is to help you make an informed decision, so keep reading to find out if Otosolana is right for you.
Specifications
My cat's malassezia diagnosis was a real wake-up call. She'd be scratching her ears like crazy, and I'd take her to the vet, thinking it was just a minor issue. But the cytology results showed an abundance of the fungus, which, as it turns out, is pretty common on animal skin.
Our first attempt at treatment with CandiBiote from a human pharmacy wasn't a total success. The fungus was stubborn, but luckily, our vet didn't give up and switched to a specialized veterinary medication - Otosolana.
We were in for a 10-day course of 2 drops, twice a day.I bought the medication at a veterinary pharmacy near the clinic for 1600 rubles per 10 ml, which is a pretty steep price.
The packaging design was a bit confusing - it features a dog, and the instructions don't mention cats once. I trusted our vet's recommendation, though, and was swayed by the high rating of the medication - 5 out of 5 on iRecommend, backed by tons of positive reviews.
I've got to give credit to the bottle design, though - the nozzle is soft but long enough.
Thanks to this, the medication can be applied deep enough without risking injury to the sensitive skin in the ear canal. It's a genuinely safe and convenient solution. The flow rate can be smoothly adjusted, and it's easy to squeeze out without extra effort.But if we'd been told from the start that treatment would be such a stress, I probably wouldn't have believed it. After a pretty neutral reaction to the 'human' CandiBiote drops, Otosolana was met with fierce resistance by my cat.
Composition:
The instructions warn that animals may exhibit increased sensitivity to the components of the medication, manifesting as skin itching, among other symptoms. Otosolana has an oily base (contains triglycerides), which, unlike the more liquid drops, can linger in the ear, causing a feeling of blockage and the urge to shake it off. The dexamethasone component in the composition may cause temporary burning upon the presence of scratches and micro-trauma.
I was horrified by my cat's cleanliness obsession. She'd spend hours meticulously licking her paws, smearing the ear drops everywhere. I'd try to distract her, but she'd just get more determined. Looking back, I wish I'd thought of using a protective collar sooner.
Alongside the ear drops, I was cleaning her ears daily – twice a day, to be exact – using cotton balls to remove the coffee-ground-like discharge that would build up. I went through two packs of cotton balls in the process.
To get a better view of the treatment, I even used an otoscope to monitor her progress.
I got so into it that I even examined the discharge under a microscope.
Honestly, I wasn't even sure what I was hoping to find, but it gave me a sense of control over the situation.By the middle of the treatment, my cat was acting strangely lethargic – she'd sleep for hours and lost all interest in playing. I didn't want to panic, thinking it would resolve itself once the treatment was over. But then another issue arose: diarrhea.
That's when I started researching and came across a comment advising to stop using the ear drops immediately and give the cat a bath. I didn't hesitate – I grabbed my cat and gave her a bath, which, I might add, was no easy task to get the ear drops out.
The next day, we rushed to the vet. The examination showed that the ear infection had cleared up, but a new issue had taken its place. To rule out any toxic effects from the ear drops, we did a blood test, ultrasound, and stool analysis.
According to the vet, the preservatives and surfactants in the ear drops are designed to combat microorganisms and break down debris in the ear canal. However, if ingested, these same components can disrupt the balance of gut bacteria, leading to digestive issues.
To treat the issue, we were prescribed Smecta in suspension form and a probiotic called Lactobifadol.
I'm thrilled to report that after a week, my cat's health has taken a significant turn for the better - she's back to her playful self, and her stool is almost back to normal.The medication is effective, but it does require extreme caution. If your cat is a meticulous groomer, I'd strongly recommend using it in conjunction with a protective veterinary collar for the entire treatment period.
Wishing you and your furry friends all the best for a speedy recovery! May your experience with this medication be nothing but positive 🙏
