LoveToKnow Dogs:Custom Dog Ear Advice
From LoveToKnow Dogs
Past Questions
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
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
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.
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
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
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
