Companion Animal Ear Infection Treatment Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Disease Type (Otitis Externa, Otitis Media), By Product, By Mode of Administration, By Animal Type, And Segment Forecasts, 2021 - 2028

Report Overview

The global companion animal ear infection treatment market size was valued at USD 531.2 million in 2020 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% from 2021 to 2028. Increased prevalence of otitis externa in pets is propelling the market growth. According to Dechra Pharmaceuticals, otitis or ear infection is the final diagnosis in 2% of all feline and 5% of all canine consultations currently. During the COVID-19 pandemic, limited operation of veterinary clinics due to stringent lockdown norms consequently resulted in a decline in veterinary visits, thus impacting the market. However, the market has shown a V-shaped recovery during the 3rd quarter of 2020 due to the resumption of pet clinics and ease of norms. According to IDEXX, U.S. clinic visits increased by 6% in Q4 2020 from the last quarter, which is expected to boost the market growth over the forecast period.

Though COVID-19 restricted outdoor visits, otitis remained in the list of top 10 pet insurance claims in 2020 according to Trupanion, a pet insurance provider based in the U.S. The company received around 6,000 claims for otitis between March 1 to May 31, 2020. In April 2019, the North American veterinary dermatology forum reported better resolution of clinical signs of otitis in referral dermatology practice settings as compared to primary care.

Growth in the pet population is expected to increase the demand for veterinary healthcare services and boost the overall expenditure on pets. According to the American Pet Products Association report, overall spending in the U.S. pet industry was USD 103.6 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach USD 110 billion by 2021. Veterinary care spending increased by 560% between 1994 and 2020.

Industry players are also continuously trying to strengthen their market position through various strategies, such as regional expansion, new product launches, partnership & collaboration, etc. In February 2020, Bayer (Elanco) launched Neptra ear solution in the U.K. market to increase its geographic footprint. In December 2019, Vetoquinol and Klox Technologies had entered into a global licensing agreement, excluding China.

Product Insights

The anti-bacterial product segment held the largest revenue share of over 44% in 2020. The segment will retain the leading position throughout the forecast period due to the rising cases of ear infections in pets. The highest incidence of ear diseases is otitis externa and the main reason for this disease is associated with a bacterial infection. According to the study published in 2019 in the Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, a total of 91 out of 122 canines were positive for bacterial species.

The segment is further segmented into aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, and others. Aminoglycosides led the market as it is the most widely used antibiotics in companion animals. Industry players are continuously trying to expand their product portfolio with the launch of new products. For instance, in April 2020 Virbac launched Easoticotic suspension for canine otitis externa. On the other hand, the corticosteroid product segment is estimated to register the fastest CAGR from 2021 to 2028.

Disease Type Insights

The otitis externa disease type segment dominated the market with a revenue share of over 65% in 2020. Due to the typical quadruped ear canal of pets, infections are not always apparent causing them to worsen, if left unattended. Symptoms include swelling, itchiness, redness of the skin, head shaking, increased discharge, and scaly skin. Most studies found allergy as the primary cause of otitis externa (OE). Moreover, according to AVMA, up to 16.5% of canines experience OE and complications associated with it at least once in their life, which may involve further development into more serious ear infections.

The otitis media disease type segment also held a substantial share in 2020 and is estimated to expand further at the fastest CAGR from 2021 to 2028. Otitis media affects the middle part of the ear canal and is typically a secondary development in up to 50% of chronic OE cases. The most common bacteria responsible for otitis is Staphylococcus spp. Other bacteria include Pseudomonas, Proteus, Enterococcus, Streptococcus, and Corynebacterium. Although the condition is rare in horses, once infected it can become potentially dangerous or become a chronic condition, if not treated.

Mode of Administration Insights

The topical mode of administration segment held the largest revenue share of over 53% in 2020. The topical products include ointments, creams, drops, lotion, etc. Topical ear medications are often sufficient to treat infectious or inflammatory ear conditions. Moreover, companies are launching new products in this segment. For instance, in June 2019, Virbac launched Cortavance, a topical corticosteroid spray in India across 4 metro cities. Thus, the segment is expected to dominate the market even during the forecast period.

The otic segment is expected to record the fastest CAGR over the forecast period. There are numerous otic products available in the market. EASOTIC Otic Suspension from Virbacacts is a fast-acting and easy-to-use treatment. SYNOTIC Otic Solution from Zoetis is specified for the relief of inflammation and pruritus associated with acute and chronic otitis in canine. It is formulated to treat the bacterial, inflammation, and fungal infections associated with otitis externa, thus boosting the demand.

Animal Type Insights

The dog's animal type segment dominated the market with a share of over 45% in 2020. Ear infections in dogs are the second-most prevalent medical condition for veterinary visits, according to a 2020 study by Nationwide. In addition, increasing dog ownership in both developed and developing countries are contributing to the growth of the segment. For instance, according to the American Pet Products Association’s 2019-2020 national pet owners survey, dog ownership increased by 10% in 2020 from the last year.

Furthermore, according to APPA, the U.S. invested a significant amount in dog healthcare in 2020, among all companion animals. This is also expected to boost the segment growth. On the other hand, the cat's animal type segment is expected to register the fastest CAGR of more than 6.5% over the forecast period. Increased concerns regarding the health and hygiene of cats are driving the growth of this segment. The younger population, especially millennials, have become very careful when it comes to the health of their pet cats.

Regional Insights

North America dominated the market with a share of more than 49% in 2020. The presence of major animal health companies is one of the factors contributing to the market growth. Furthermore, the introduction of veterinary health information systems in the region has enabled real-time diagnosis. This is expected to facilitate R&D activities and enhance new product development. Moreover, the increased number of veterinarians and veterinary clinics in the region is further boosting the market growth. For instance, there were around 118,624 veterinarians present in the U.S. in 2020 according to AVMA.

However, Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing regional market over the forecast period. Increasing adoption of pet animals, growing health concerns about animals, and rising prevalence of pet diseases are among the key factors driving the market growth in the Asia Pacific region. Furthermore, the rising healthcare expenditure on animal health and veterinary services contributes to regional market growth.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The market is highly competitive with the presence of many large- and small-scale industry players. Most companies focus on R&D, mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships to gain a higher market share. For instance, Zoetis is investing in R&D to develop new products to gain more market share. In August 2020, Elanco also increased its market penetration after acquiring Bayer. Dechra pharmaceuticals received the worldwide rights of Osurnia from Elanco in August 2020. Some of the prominent players in the global companion animal ear infection treatment market include:

• Zoetis

• Elanco

• Dechra Pharmaceuticals

• Merck & Co., Inc.

• Vetoquinol

• Penn Veterinary Supply, Inc.

• Virbac S.A.

• Ceva Santé Animale

• Vedco, Inc.

Companion Animal Ear Infection Treatment Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2016 to 2028. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global companion animal ear infection treatment market report on the basis of product, disease type, mode of administration, animal type, and region:

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

  • Anti-bacterial

    • Aminoglycosides

    • Fluoroquinolones

    • Others

  • Anti-fungal

  • Corticosteroids

  • Others

• Disease Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

  • Otitis Externa

  • Otitis Media

  • Otitis Interna

• Mode of Administration Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

  • Topical

  • Oral

  • Otic

• Animal Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

  • Dogs

  • Cats

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • U.K.

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

  • Asia Pacific

    • Japan

    • China

    • India

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

    • Argentina

  • Middle East and Africa

    • South Africa

    • Saudi Arabia