LoveToKnow Dogs:Custom Dog Ear Advice

From LoveToKnow Dogs

Past Questions

Question: Hi! I had posted a question about my Dachshund's flaky ears. I received a response stated that an answer had been posted, but I don't see it. Can you help? - Posted by: tlachenbach@yahoo.com

Answer: Hi Tracey,

Sorry about that. I accidentally deleted my reply to you. You'll find my answer posted with your similar comment at Dog Skin Problems.

Thanks for your patience. :) - posted by:Kelly

Question: Our two-year-old Golden Retriever came down suddenly with loss of balance and fever. We put him in the tub and got the fever down. He has been on antibiotics for four-and-a-half weeks for an inner ear infection. His balance improved right away, but the head tilt is still there. Could this soon-to-be show dog be permanently damaged? His breeder says it was the food (Beneful by Purina). He was recently switched to this brand. It's also strange that my sister's Schnauzer started on this food and within a week developed fever and acne all over its neck. My dog eats natural food now and Prairie Nature's Variety. Should he stay on the antibiotic a few more weeks to see if the head tilt will subside? Our vet wants a specialist to deep scope his ear. What will that reveal if anything? Thanks, Barb - Posted by: jkbk223@gmail.com

Answer: Hi Barb,

I'm so sorry to hear about what your dog is going through. It is very curious that both your dog and your sister's dog developed problems after starting on the Beneful. It's possible the entire situation could be related to a food allergy, but it usually takes more than two weeks to see the reaction build up and show symptoms. I'd ask your vet's opinion about whether the food might have been the cause.

I recommend you allow the specialist to do a deep scope of the ear. Just as you suspect, your vet also wants to know if there has been permanent damage to the canal. The scope will reveal exactly what is going on. Keep in mind that I'm not a vet, but I do know a breeder who had a Chihuahua that developed a massive ear infection. Even after recovery, she always carried her head with a tilt. Hopefully, the vets will be able to cure your dog's infection and prevent his tilt from becoming permanent.

I think you'll find the following articles will give you a better idea of the inner workings of your dog's ear.

Thanks for sharing your situation, and I do hope it has a happy ending. Best wishes. - posted by:Kelly

Question: I have outside dogs, and flies are biting at their ears so bad that they are starting to bleed. What can I do to keep the flies off, and how do I treat the ears? I have been putting on a product called Bag Balm to help keep them from getting infected. Any info will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Jerry - Posted by: jerry3@iowatelecom.net

Answer: Hi Jerry,

I'm sorry to hear that your dogs are being plagued by flies. Here is a link to a veterinary supply that sells various repellants.

VetVax.com

Read closely, because some are for horses while others are for dogs. I don't know if any of the repellents made for horses would harm a dog, but that is something you can check on with your vet.

As for treating the ears, it's important to clean them with mild soap because flies transport germs. Bag balm is a good product for providing a protective covering to sores, but it might interfere with applying the repellent. My advice is to choose the product you want to try, and then call your vet for further advice before you order it. Hopefully this will allow you to bring your dogs some much needed relief. It would also be good to let them spend part of the day indoors if that is possible.

Thanks for your questions, and I hope you're able to quickly get the situation in hand. - posted by:Kelly

Question: My puppy, a Rottweiler/Golden Retreiver mix, has red swollen ears. It's not the inside, but the pink inside of the flap. I hope that that sounds right. It is also oozing pus. My dog has been shaking his head and trying to rub them on things. He does not have the coffee ground looking stuff that normally comes with ear mites. That is why I am asking if you have any idea what it could be? Please let me know if you have any ideas. Thank you. - Posted by: jessiegage@yahoo.com

Answer: Hi Jessie,

It sounds very much like your dog has an ear infection. Although you are seeing pus near the flaps, it could very likely be oozing up from the canal below.

Ear infections that have reached the puss stage are usually rather advanced. They can be quite irritating and often very painful. This is basically why your dog has been shaking and rubbing so much, trying to get some relief.

It's very important that you let your vet examine your dog. The vet will probably want to flush out your dog's ears to remove most of the bacteria and pus. Once this is done, the vet can take a better look inside if the canal hasn't swollen too much. Your vet will probably fill your dog's ears with medication and give you an antibiotic to keep him on for seven to ten days.

Left untreated, an ear infection can do so much damage that it can affect a dog's hearing, so it's important to have your dog examined, given the extent of the symptoms.

Thank you for your question, and I do hope your dog is feeling better soon. - posted by:Kelly

Question: Hello, I have a four-year-old Yorkie/Maltese mix. His right ear has been bright red. I have been treating it for 12 days with Tri-Otic twice a day and Epi-Otic once daily as my vet directed. This routine usually corrects the redness within a couple of days. The ear continues to be pink. My dog is not showing any signs of discomfort, no scrathing or head shaking. I can see no visible signs of yeast or wax. The redness has reduced to pink but has not gone back to it's natural color. Should I continue to treat the ear, go back to the vet, or relax because my dog is not uncomfortable? - Posted by: diazeren@gmail.com

Answer: Hi Eren,

Although your dog's ear is not a red as it was, the fact that it has not completely returned to normal coloring indicates that there is still some level of infection/infeststation going on inside.

Personally, I would take your dog back to your vet for a follow up visit. Twelve days is a long time to treat this type of illness, and it may be necessary for your vet to flush out your dog's ear and take a closer look at what's going on.

Thanks for your question, and I hope this suggestion brings you closer to a cure. - posted by:Kelly