Ear infection

[mtoy]

Last week I noticed Link's ear had some dirty wax in it, so I cleaned it out. I've been watching it carefully, thinking if it was something other than just dirty junk it would return. It has. It's brown, waxy stuff. He does scratch a bit on that side but I always though it was him hating his collar. I called the vet, they said it was most likely an infection but they can't get me in until tomorrow.

If it's an infection, would they most likely give oral antibiotics? I'm very careful about anibiotic overuse, especially oral, they can screw up the stystem pretty good. Right now Link's digestion is working really good (knock on wood).

This may be the time to try out the holistic vet but I'm scared that his fees may be too high for me.

[Fluffypants]

Thankfully, Jackie has not had this problem. Poor Link! I had earaches as a kid and can remember how painful they are. Give him a snuggle from me. I think they might treat with ear drops?

[CorgiMum]

Sorry, I don't have any experience with canine ear infections, but I would think that the Vet would most likey give something to clean the ears out, drops, not pills.

I know that is painful, had a lot of ear infections when I was little, but that was because I refused to wear my huska (kerchief) in the wind, not Link's problem I am sure.

Poor Link, hope he feels better soon.+SAD+

[The Chipmunk's Mom]

They probably will just give you ear drops to put in his ear. It clears up quite quickly. Does he like you to rub his ear? That sometimes is an indication. Also, ear mites will cause a dark brown waxy build up and they can be picked up from other dogs and are treated basically the same way.

[MVons]

Curious, would warm compress help a dog the way it can help a human. Course we have pain rather than scratching, but I just wondered when you have to wait a night.

Merrie

[mtoy]

They probably will just give you ear drops to put in his ear. It clears up quite quickly. Does he like you to rub his ear? That sometimes is an indication. Also, ear mites will cause a dark brown waxy build up and they can be picked up from other dogs and are treated basically the same way.

He LOVES to have his ears rubbed. I've been massaging them because I heard it helps them to stand up, he just soaks it up. He's been a little whiney too the past few days, now it makes sense.

When I called for the appointment I told them I thought he had mites. I was talking to the tech, she asked some questions and thought it sounded like an early infection. But it could be mites, or even both, I guess.

I do hope the treatment is drops...

[Jespah]

I haven't had the issue with dogs, but with cats and it's always been drops. So, if they suggest oral antibiotics if you could just try a course of drops first.

Deb

[The Chipmunk's Mom]

Chip fell in our little pond when he was a baby and he ended up with an ear infection. The bottle treats both ear infections (if bacterial) and ear mites so either way it is a win win situation. Usually with an ear infection in a dog, it feels good to them to have their ear rubbed. Not sure why. I don't know about compresses.

[LaRositaMonita]

No Corgi puppy advice (yet!), but I grew up with a lab for 13 years. She was a stray our neighbors picked up, although our vet always swore up and down that she was a very faulty purebred who probably escaped from/was dumped by a puppy mill (sad story...but she was a GREAT dog who found a great family!). Her ears were a little shorter than a lab's usually are and folded over in a funny way, compounding the propensity she already had as a drop-eared dog for infections. We kept a constant supply of drops/cleaners in the house for whenever the yucky brown stuff came a callin', which was often.

Is the stuff in Link's ears smelly? Mitzie's ears definitely had a distinct odor when an infection was coming on...you could also tell to get the drops out when she leaned extra-long into a rub or scratch behind the ears. Mitzie LOVED having her ears cleaned out, since it obviously brought her some relief. You could ask, "Mitzie, do you want your ears cleaned?" and she would trot into her crate, lie down, and turn her head to one side automatically. Since we were so prepared for it/it was somewhat routine, she never had any permanent problems.

[corgimom]

Last week I noticed Link's ear had some dirty wax in it, so I cleaned it out. I've been watching it carefully, thinking if it was something other than just dirty junk it would return. It has. It's brown, waxy stuff. He does scratch a bit on that side but I always though it was him hating his collar. I called the vet, they said it was most likely an infection but they can't get me in until tomorrow.

If it's an infection, would they most likely give oral antibiotics? I'm very careful about anibiotic overuse, especially oral, they can screw up the stystem pretty good. Right now Link's digestion is working really good (knock on wood).

This may be the time to try out the holistic vet but I'm scared that his fees may be too high for me.


Cody experienced 2 ear infections last summer on seperate occasions and I was given two sets of drops to treat it.

The first one was called "Alocetic Ear Solution/acetic acid with Aloe"- you squirt it in the canal(this is really to clean the inside of the ears first) and the other one was called "Mometasone drops" which was used to treat the infection - It did clear it up.

The vet actually recommended for me to use the Alocetic Ear Solution once a month to help keep his ear canals clean.

I had to run and find this stuff so I could type in the correct name for you and cody saw the containers and is now hiding in another room:LAUGH: Everytime he sees me take out any medicine he quicky leaves.:CUTE:

I will mention that on the back of the MOMETAMAX box, it says it is used for the treatment of otis externa in dogs caused by susceptible strains of yeast and bacteria

[ZdogZ]

Oh, I hope Link gets to feeling better soon.

[mtoy]

We saw the vet yesterday, both his ears are just slightly infected. She gave us drops (Otomax) to use. Corgimom, I'm going to look for the Alocetic Ear Solution for ear keep up for a while, thanks. I'm really hoping allergies didn't cause this.

The vet office we go to has 2 vets. I decided I really like one of them, and really dislike the other. The one we saw yesterday was the good one. She's so easy to talk to and acts like regular pet owners like me just might have half a brain. The other one treats me like I'm in kindergarten and she always sounds like she's reading a memorized script. So for now I think I'll stay with this office, as long as I can request the better vet.

[corgimom]

We saw the vet yesterday, both his ears are just slightly infected. She gave us drops (Otomax) to use. Corgimom, I'm going to look for the Alocetic Ear Solution for ear keep up for a while, thanks. I'm really hoping allergies didn't cause this.

The vet office we go to has 2 vets. I decided I really like one of them, and really dislike the other. The one we saw yesterday was the good one. She's so easy to talk to and acts like regular pet owners like me just might have half a brain. The other one treats me like I'm in kindergarten and she always sounds like she's reading a memorized script. So for now I think I'll stay with this office, as long as I can request the better vet.


MToy

Here is a link to show you what it looks like; scroll down. I got it from my vet - I don't know if Petsmart or petco carries it.


http://www.discountpetmedicines.com/cat-dog-ear-care.htm

[Squeaker]

A pointer for new corgi owners: when ever Clogs gets a bath, I stuff her ears first (gently!) with cottonwool balls. She has been taught not to shake and as long as I get her in the water quickly enough, the balls stay in. This prevents any water getting into her ears as long as I don't pour lots of water directly on the head. Water in the ears often leads to infections, as Bonnie pointed out.
PS. Having "shake" and "don't shake" commands is hugely helpful when dealing with wet corgis!