scabby ears

[Digger123]

End of last year my rottie had a really bad ear infection which went on forever. We had her ears washed out to try and help . But still it went on. Eventually after about 2 months it cleared and we escaped the weekly visit to the vet.
Now 6 months later it has happened again. We are back from the vets with ear drops, ear cleaner, antibiotics, steroids and another set of pills which I think maybe antibacterial.
I don't particularly want to go down the same route as last time as she was quite unwell after being knocked out last time. Hence all the drugs to start with.
Have any of you - not you personnally! -had anything like this ? And more to the point any advice.

 

[PucciNPoni]

Maybe try changing the dog's diet to an holistic one. I see lots of dogs with bad skin/ears and even behavioral issues improved greatly by the change of diet.

 

[CorvusCorax]

I have a dog with a dodgy right ear and a bitch with a dodgy left ear. Vets said male had a pyoderma infection posssibly caused by an allergy to mites but then two weeks later couldn't find any evidence of mites when it reoccured. He was also intolerant of one of the types of ear-drops he was given.

Changed to a hypoallergenic food, cut all treats, cleaned every day with lukewarm water and apply Thornit powder occassionally (can be bought on Petmeds, recommended by Llyncwyn on here, very good stuff) and aloe vera gel when needed, to ease itching and remove heat.
Dog's ears have been clear for months and I always put a bit of aloe vera on if they look less than clear.

Female's ears were dreadful yesterday, it came on very suddenly as they were clean a few days ago.
You can also try putting natural yoghurt on the ear after cleaning (don't laugh) and when I say 'on' in all cases I mean the ear flap, not inside the ear canal.

My mate's OES ended up having his ear canal removed due to a mystery allergy (same vet

) so it is worth giving everything a try to avoid something like that. He still worries his ear.

 

[bobthecob]

Not advice as such, but a solution you could explore with your vet. I had what sounds like a similar problem with a lab about a year ago. Persistent ear infections that did not respond to treatment. The bacterial infection he suffered was 'pseudomonas', a notoriously resistant bacteria. Your vet could isolate the strain through swabs and lab analysis to see if this is the problem. In my case, the dog was facing the last resort of having both ear canals removed after months of treatment.
I found some information on a combination treatment of an over-the-counter ear cleaner, 'Triz-EDTA' (which potentiates the action of antibiotics), and topical application of 'baytril' directly to the ear. Your vet can advise, as it is a finely-balanced combination that needs to be applied in a particular order. It took time and patience, but it was the only thing that worked and we have had no problems since. This is simply my experience and I am not suggesting it would work for you, but it is something you could ask your vet about. I know how distressing it can be for dog and owner. I hope this helps.

 

[Digger123]

I give her a hypoallergenic complete food as she has been known to have a dodgy tummy in the past.Her last attack was diagnosed as a bacterial infection but I couldn't tell you which type.She seems not to be shaking her head as bad today but her ear stinks !
HH- What does the thornit powder do ? I have heard of it being used before.
Don't like the sound of ear canal removal - does it not affect the balance ?

We will carry on with the pills etc and hope that it clears it up quickly. Back at the vets next week.

Thanks for the advice and comments

 

[CorvusCorax]

Hi there, Thornit is a yellow powder, quite potent, unlicensed so unavailable from vets but made mostly from ingredients available from the chemist, you take a little pinch and rub it around the inside edge of the ear and also a tiny amount in the ear canal, which they will shake to distribute.

I have found the combination of Thornit and aloe vera more effective than anything else. Although I find Thornit works better on a 'wet' infection than a dry one (I have one of each, thanks, dogs!)

NB I have nothing against vets of course, I was just getting concerned that my dogs at just over a year, were constantly being given antibiotics, steroids or both so wanted to examine a route that was kinder on their immune systems and my pocket.

With Swamps, his balance isn't really an issue, his ear still really bothers him though despite the procedure, it is all matted and bloody from him scratching, he still has to wear an Elizabethan collar at nights.