Dog Owners - I have a question

[TopSecret]

So my Oldtimer doggy, a Shepherd/ Collie X, about 11 years old (only had him for 4 years) has an ear infection... again. He had one about a month ago, for the first time sine I have him. So we went to the vet who gave us ear drops (Surolan). Since it was a really light infection... just barely noticeable dark pinkish color, I mostly noticed it cos he was scratching and shaking his head more so than normal... anyway, I used the drops for a week and cleaned the wax out of the ear with a wet gauze pad without going into depth. Didn't use a cleaning solution or something. Now I think I should have done a better job cos the fucking infection is back and it looks worse than before.

I didn't notice anything at all until tonight when he started scratching his ear and shaking his head like a nutjob out of nowhere. I go have a look and it's all red and you can see he has been scratching.

I gave him 2 ear drops, mostly cos I can't sit around doing nothing. I'll call the vet tomorrow, see what they say.

Anybody on here with experience regarding ear infections? I've heard these infections can be a real pain. None of our dogs ever had one until now. The bunny I used to have had no such problems either.

I've also never properly cleaned a dog ear before. :1zhelp:
What's the best way to clean his ear? What should I do/ use? Or should I just go to the vet and let them do it? I'm a real puss too... once I'll do it I'll be fine tho, lol.

Thanks for any info/advice.

 

[03bamaGT]

Use the drops and gauze pads...that will get most of it...but not get rid of it. Try q-tips with some watered down peroxide to get down in it and get the nasty stuff out. The peroxide will loosen the crap and make it easier to get out.

 

[roundfinger]

Some dog breeds are more likely to have ear problems than others and outdoor dogs more so than indoor.

My mom uses nolvasan otic w/ cotton balls on my dogs ears when she gets bathed and groomed, every two weeks..sometimes i still have to clean her ears if she plays rough outside (she likes to dig and play in the sand around the pool). Basically what we do is squirt some in, lightly massage the ear and then use the cotton ball w/ some more otic on it to clean the outside of the ear...treat the ear like you would your own, you can go too deep and cause damage. If its real bad like with cocker spaniels, the Vet may prescribe some medicine to help ya out.

 

[DsBetterHalf]

Our dog has all kinds of problems. The current one: A yeast infection in her ear canals.

If you are really worried about hurting your dog, and not doing it right, you can ask your vet to show you how to properly clean the inside of the ears. Most vets will have their techs do it with you, so you know what you are doing when you leave.

From the sounds of it, you need an oral antibiotic for the infection, as well as the ear drops.

 

[Who]

Old school country doctor outer ear infection remedy. Water and Vinegar 50/50 mix. The low pH of the vinegar makes it hard for bacteria to grow.

 

[wiseco7mgt]

Its not just ear mites is it? i had a dog that used to get that, he'd scratch his skin off his ears if i didnt get the right treatment

 

[TopSecret]

Old school country doctor outer ear infection remedy. Water and Vinegar 50/50 mix. The low pH of the vinegar makes it hard for bacteria to grow.

That sounds interesting. White vinegar? I only have balsamic vinegar atm.
Am I supposed to clean his ear with it or use it like ear drops?

wiseco7mgt: When we went to the vet, he checked his ears as well as the ears of our other dog. I don't think he found any bugs or what have you. Hence the ear drops. Was your dog just scratching or did his/ her ear look red and infected as well?

Thanks for the input so far. It's appreciated

 

[wiseco7mgt]

The mites are tiny just like lice but if the docter already looked it must be inner ear issues.

 

[adampecush]

my dog (lab) gets infected ears every now and then...a good squirt in each ear with surolan usually clears things up. You've got to make sure those drops get pretty deep into the dog's ear...don't be afraid to stick the bottle end into the ear...aparently this is ok (as per the vet sister-in-law)

 

[Who]

That sounds interesting. White vinegar? I only have balsamic vinegar atm.
Am I supposed to clean his ear with it or use it like ear drops?



Thanks for the input so far. It's appreciated

Use the solution like you would use ear drops. I would just use white vinegar and water. Not sure what might be mixed with balsamic vinegar. It can sting or hurt a little.

For mild cases of swimmer's ear, you might ask your pediatrician if you can first try a solution of half strength white vinegar ear drops (half water/half white vinegar) twice a day -- a common home remedy that some parents try.

 

[DreamerTheresa]

Have your vet show you how to clean/flush the ear. DO NOT use Q-tips. DO NOT stick anything down your dog's ear.

If it's infected, you don't want to push any more ook down his ear.



Your vet needs to prescribe a stronger antibiotic (if the infection is indeed bacterial) by the sound of it, and maybe a prescription ear wash.


Dogs can get all kinds of infections in their ears - yeast, bacteria, mites - it MIGHT NOT be the same bacterial infection. Only your vet can tell ya (unless you have a microscope - watching ear mites do the horizontal mamba on a slide is entertaining for a few minutes).




Does your dog have prick ears (German Shepherd, Husky), or drop ears (lab, basset hound)? If he's got drop ears, they're more likely to get infected as they stay more moist and dirty since they have less access to air.





In a nutshell: Go to the vet ASAP.

 

[wiseco7mgt]

watching ear mites do the horizontal mamba on a slide is entertaining for a few minutes).

Ear mite porn, thats just kinky.:biglaugh:

 

[DreamerTheresa]

Ear mite porn, thats just kinky.:biglaugh:

They boink like rabbits, man.


Srsly.

Ear mite sex - ewwww!

 

[TopSecret]

Does your dog have prick ears (German Shepherd, Husky), or drop ears (lab, basset hound)? If he's got drop ears, they're more likely to get infected as they stay more moist and dirty since they have less access to air.

In a nutshell: Go to the vet ASAP.

That's him:

I've been using the ear drops and the whole thing is getting better. Alot less discoloration, less wax and dirt, he's not as uncomfortable... for some reason he seems to be itchy mostly at night. But I will still call the vet and if it's just for the cleaning thing.

Thanks again for the input.

 

[DsBetterHalf]

You can give him benadryl for the itchiness Might make him a little drowsy, but it won't hurt him any.

 

[DreamerTheresa]

You can give him benadryl for the itchiness Might make him a little drowsy, but it won't hurt him any.

Dogs can safely have 1mg of benedryl per pound of body weight.