The purpose of this article is to discuss the aspects related to the treatment and diagnosis of otitis media in dogs, emphasizing the most frequent complications observed after a total ablation of the auditory canal with osteotomy of the tympanic bulla, a procedure that is currently considered the treatment of choice. Additionally, the clinical setting in which this intervention is indicated is exposed, considering other conditions other than otitis media. The experience of the authors with the published literature regarding this topic is critically contrasted in some aspects that concern the surgical technique and the diagnosis.