Waxy ear advice

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Small65

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OK, long story short’ish……… I rescued my lil jack Russell two years ago and for the first 6mths everything was fine. Then all of a sudden he had a very waxy ear he would itch. I took him to the vets and they gave him some ear drops. It got progressively worse with these so I took him back again and they gave me different ear drops. I have been back since and the last lot they gave me they said to use for 10days and it should clear (which it did for about 3days). I have been back so many times and seen two different vets and they just keep giving me different treatments but haven’t actually had a good look in the ear. Im wondering if there is a grass seed or ingrown hair which is infected (we can’t see inside the ear as there is so much wax)

Now I find the only thing to do is use the ointment everyday as this stops it building up but still hasn’t cleared it. It is fine most days but it clearly itches if the ear is touched, im not happy leaving it as I can’t see how one ear is fine and the other is not and there be “just a build up of wax”.

What do you think my best course of action is?!?! Im thinking of taking him back and refusing to leave until they have sorted it or should I just keep up with the ointment and him have a less waxy year?!
 
Hmm, lots of vets like to give out drops and pack you home!

There could be something down there which needs checked out so I would be very persistent.
He may have mites or an allergy to mites, he may have a food intolerance.

What is actually down there? Colour, consistency? Does it smell bad? Does he itch anywhere else?

Lyncwyn on here recommended me a product called Thornit for mites and canker which is strong stuff but it does work.

The only think that has ever worked with my fella is called Epiotic and it is a weekly treatment but he has not needed it for months. Squirt, hold and squidge the ear for 20 seconds, then they shake it out, no dunging out or interfering with the ear required.

I also used to put a wee bit of aloe vera gel on the edges of the ear to take the heat out of it, but obvs with a flap eared dog that would be trickier.

Fingers crossed you can get it sorted, I never thought we would, but fingers crossed, he has had clean ears for aaaages!
 
Thornit is great stuff and well worth a try.

If the wax is bad and you are unable to get the ear completely clear then I would ask the vet for help. It may be that your dog needs to be sedated so that his ears can get a really good clean, then any medication would be more effective.
 
Be careful with thornit if it is damp in the ear from drops or whatever. We got our dogs ear into a terrible mess, did sort it eventually but it took a while. Vet told me to NEVER put powder in again.
A friend had recurring ear trouble and it was eventually diagnosed as pseudomonas, might be worth asking the vet about this too.
 
I was always told to keep Thornit to the edges of the ear, not inside. I can imagine it would make a mess, judging by how it strong it seems, have you notices how the smell gets everywhere?!
It isn't licensed, OP, just be aware.

While the ear may need properly cleaned as J said, don't be tempted to clean it with cotton pads or stick anything down there yourself in a bid to dung the ear out, it can make things worse.
 
That’s what I was thinking that there is such a build up nothing can get through it.

CaveCanem the wax is very dark colour and comes out in lumps and does smell. The ear isn’t hot and he only scratches it every now and then (which is why I haven’t been so forceful at the vets).

I think I will take him to the vets AGAIN and insist on further treatment. He doesn’t like me putting the ointment in the ear each day and it’s not like it is curing the problem just preventing it from getting worse!

Thanks guy’s at least I don’t think im being a moaning mini if other ppl have these problems!
 
Good luck, I ended up changing vets (with lots of help and advice from people on here) because B's ear was bald, pus-filled and half hanging off and they kept sending me home with the same stuff saying 'It could be anything'.

I only use the local practise for simple stuff these days because of it. They now stock Epiotic, quelle surprise!!!

And you could eat your dinner off his ears now. Well, not really
tongue.gif
but they are nice and clear.
 
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