Table 1.

Total clinical score

Clinical sign	Score ‘0’ descriptor	Score ‘1’ descriptor	Score ‘2’ descriptor
Pain	None noted	Mild/moderate; painful on palpation	Severe: painful when raising pinna
Erythema	None noted	Mild/moderate: barely perceptible to obvious redness visible with an otoscope	Severe: beet or cherry red or erythema extends into pinna
Exudate	None noted	Mild/moderate: small amount to moderate amounts visible in ear canal	Severe: extending out of ear canal and may be crusted
Swelling	None noted	Mild/moderate: minimal occlusion to moderate occlusion of ear canal	Severe: canal completely occluded
Odor	None noted	Mild/moderate: malodor evident when pinna is raised	Severe: malodor evident without raising pinna to expose ear canal
Ulceration	None noted	Mild/moderate: mild abrasions	Severe: abrasions that may be bleeding