Ear Problems

[latopla]

So this isn't for me...its for a friend.  She has a miniature Schnauzer that has been having itchy ears for about a month.  Originally, the vet diagnosed it as allergies and gave her medication...which she has pretty much used up.  Today she took her dog to the vet for just the yearly stuff (vaccines, etc) and the vet looked at the ears again briefly when she mentioned that the dog was still itching.  The vet didn't really think that anything was still wrong with them. 

She just called me to ask if I knew of anything that could help because now her dog is scratching to the point that he is causing wounds on the back of his ears.  She lives in a different town that is really rural and doesn't have an emergency vet and the emergency line at her vet is not being responded to.  She thinks it is ear mites because he does have the dark crusty stuff building up about every day but the vet saw that and didn't examine it further.  She had some left over allergy stuff that was prescribed the first time that she looked up and discovered that it was basically Benedryl so she gave the dog some of that to try and calm him down for the night and stop some of the itching.  She also tried to wipe his ears out but the dog cried a lot and seemed really bothered with having his ears messed with.  I recommended that she find a way to cover his paws so that he can't cause so much damage while scratching until they can get him back to the vet in the morning.

I also asked if the dog has had any balance issues or been cocking his head to the side...and she said she hasn't seen that at all.  I know not all ear infections present with that but I was trying to rule it out because I figure a vet wouldn't overlook something as common as ear mites but nothing would surprise me really.  Anyways, I just didn't have much advice because I don't know a lot about dog ear problems nor do I have any suggestions that could help make the night easier for them.  I figured I would try you guys and see if anyone knew something that could help.

[Spectrum]

Ear flush works wonders for ear infections, but sometimes a topical medication is needed too. The dark stuff can be ear mites, but it could also be a yeast infection. Yeast, bacteria, and ear mites all need treated differently, so en ear smear should probably be done at the vet. If the dog has the dark gunk, I doubt it's just allergies.

[Roxie]

Mites... or middle or inner ear infection. See if you can find Otimax drops for sale at a local vet or animal supply.  Back in the 50's and 60's we used warmed goose grease or mineral oil to put in the ear. Might be someting akin to swimmer's ear.

For about a 50 pound dog 1 baby aspirin is ok to give for pain.

Roxie

[latopla]

Well the vet looked at her dog again this morning and took samples this time and said it wasn't an infection or ear mites.  Says it is still an allergy so gave the dog more Benedryl and also steroid pills this time.

Luckily, her dog seems to be doing better and isn't itching as bad today.  She also picked up some antibiotic cream to put on the wounds it caused from scratching.

I still think that is crazy for an allergy but oh well...if the dog is doing better that is what counts.

[Spectrum]

Even if it is from an allergy, she can still use an ear flush to help get the gunk out. The steroids should help a ton if it's allergies.

[Carey]

Chloe has not had an ear infection but because she has big floppy ears and according to the vet her breed in general is prone to ear infections we do preventative care on her ears. We use an ear wash stuff the vet gave us. Basically I put the solution in her ears and rub her ears around real good and then I wipe out the ears. Its suppose to clean the ears and get any wax that might have built up out. I usually do this at the same time as I do her nails. If I see her scratching more then normal or if she seems to be irritated by her ears and they stink or there is visible yuck in there then I do it then also. I get my ear wash stuff from the vet but from what I have been told they have pretty much the same stuff only cheaper at Walmart in the pet section. I don't know if it is something to try in this situation but I thought I would share. Good luck

[Dazzler]

I also have a cockapoo and he's susceptible to yeast infections in his ears if they aren't dried after swimming, baths, etc.  My groomer shaves the hair from the underside of his ears to help with the itching.  Often it's the hair that drives them nutz scratching.  For inner ear infections olive oil is safe to use in a dog's ears.  They make a product called Ear Wash and Ear Dry to clean them.  I periodically use some cotton balls and wash and scrub inside his ears to get rid of wax and junkies.

[BlindMag]

Might try switching to a kibble with no corn in it and see if that helps the allergies?

[Spectrum]

A grain-free kibble may help. Food allergies in dogs don't present the same way they do in people.

[latopla]

Lol oh I've done some friendly lecturing about this dog's diet. 

The small town that they live in only has a Wal-Mart and a scattering of local owned feed stores, so the dog food selection is limited.  Right now it is on one of the really basic foods from Wal-Mart (can't remember which cause she was also listing some of the other ones they have tried). 

She is moving to LA this weekend and intends to start feeding either Blue Buffalo or Wellness once she gets out there and has probably a giant selection of foods.  I will recommend that she look into grain-free or limited ingredient diets to see if that helps with allergies.  Possibly just the change in location could help a lot I hope.  LA weather is pretty different from the weather here.

[kaika_dragon]

LA weather is terrible.  It's boiling down there.  And it has SO much smog! 

[Spectrum]

Although I've not tried it myself, I've heard Wellness is one of the best foods for allergies, as long as you choose the limited ingredient diet. If she goes with Wellness, I'd pick either the limited ingredient formula or the CORE formula (grain free). If she goes with Blue Buffalo, I'd go with the Wilderness formula (also grain free...I don't remember but it may contain barley, not sure).

If she can find it, Taste of the Wild is typically cheaper than either Blue or Wellness and is 100% grain free. I've been very happy with it. Around here it's even cheaper than Purina ONE or ProPlan.

[latopla]

Sheriff has done great on Wellness...and he isn't even on the CORE or Limited Ingredient Diets.  I considered putting him on CORE but I figured the high amount of protein would add too much weight if I wasn't careful so I kept him on just the Super 5 mix.  The limited ingredient diets just came to my area so I have heard pretty much nothing for or against it.

I'll recommend those three diets to her and also remind her of gradually switching diets so that she doesn't end up with a diarrhea problem additionally. 

I think I've only heard of Taste of the Wild briefly...it isn't carried around here that I know of...

[Spectrum]

The CORE is grain free, and the limited ingredient is specifically for food allergies, which is why I suggested those

Dealer locater for Taste of the Wild: http://www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com/dealer_locator/

Orijen is a good grain-free food, too, but it's very pricey.

[Nianhel]

I have Coco on Blue Wilderness (duck formula). Not that she has any known allergies, but it's sposed to be a pretty darn healthy kibble. Though expensive. It has helped to trim her down, and she's having a lot less bowel trouble now. And I've heard lots of people talk about TOTW, though I've never seen/used it.