Ear infection - now with blood!

Discussion in 'Labrador Health' started by JulieT, Feb 3, 2014.

  1. Oberon

    Oberon Supporting Member Forum Supporter

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    Re: Ear infection - now with blood!

    Just want to echo what everyone else has said about you NOT having taken your eye off the ball. In fact I have never seen a more eyeballed ball than your ball.

    If Obi ever needs an op or has an injury, you are the gold standard of doggie management, preparation and planning that I'd be trying to emulate.
     
  2. Naya

    Naya Registered Users

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    Re: Ear infection - now with blood!

    I am sure everything will work itself out once you have made your phone calls ;)

    Angela......we will be waiting for news on the bed invasion !!!
     
  3. JulieT

    JulieT Registered Users

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    Re: Ear infection - now with blood!

    So just got back from the specialist - I was super impressed by him, he was fantastic, and I feel someone has really thought about it properly, and we've got a plan of attack now.

    So confirmed no infection or nasty stuff. It's an over growth of yeast. Not sure what has caused it, Charlie's left ear conformation is normal, as far as the chap could tell, so is his right.

    We went through a lot of detail about Charlie's food and lifestyle, but since Charlie's left ear is unaffected, and there is no sign of any other skin complaint anywhere else on Charlie's paws or body, and the upper right ear is normal, and mainly unaffected, it's a bit of a mystery and may not (but still could) be an allergy. Something has changed the conditions in Charlie's ear but what, exactly, isn't known.

    It's not possible to look at Charlie's lower ear, because it's bunged up with debris. But an ear flush now isn't the answer, because that wouldn't allow the lower ear to be inspected when it's "normal" (it would still be inflamed.

    Charlie is going onto a type of steroids for two weeks, but only if we can move the cruciate operation back a week (phoning and rearranging now), and/or the surgeon is happy to go ahead with the operation anyway. Oh no though, this will make him super hungry! Oh the poor boy, he already thinks he is being starved!

    We also have quite a complex routine with home flushing, special cleaners, and ear drops.

    This goes on for 2 weeks, and then hopefully the lower ear will be clear and free from inflamation and the specialist can have a better look. If it's not, then ear flush under a GA, but if clear we might be closer to answers.

    The good news is the chap thought that it was the type of thing that, with the proper treatment, can be brought under control and cleared up.
     
  4. charlie

    charlie Registered Users

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    Re: Ear infection - now with blood!

    Well done Julie for insisting on seeing a specialist and at least you have a plan of action. Poor Charlie has been through so much poking and prodding bless him. xxx :*
     
  5. bbrown

    bbrown Moderator Forum Supporter

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    Re: Ear infection - now with blood!

    Specialist sounds fab!

    Glad you've got a plan, fingers crossed it all fits together like a perfect jigsaw ;D
     
  6. Naya

    Naya Registered Users

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    Re: Ear infection - now with blood!

    Great that you have a piano :) bless Charlie, he's had so much go on in such a short time. Big hugs to him oxo
     
  7. Karen

    Karen Registered Users

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    Re: Ear infection - now with blood!

    Poor old Charlie. Still, the end is in sight now! Ears will get cleared up, operation will be done, and then.. there'll be no holding him!

    Bet you just can't wait to have all this sorted Julie.
     
  8. Lisa

    Lisa Registered Users

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    Re: Ear infection - now with blood!

    Oh my, just catching up now. Taking a deep breath on your behalf, Julie....okay, you've got this!! One step at a time, one day at a time.

    I'm sure this all means that you are getting all your doggie worries in one fell swoop and that once op is over and recovery completed, it will be nothing but sunshine and roses and happy walks and joy for Team Charlie. Hang in there....
     
  9. JulieT

    JulieT Registered Users

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    Re: Ear infection - now with blood!

    [quote author=Karen link=topic=4318.msg54268#msg54268 date=1392390356]
    Bet you just can't wait to have all this sorted Julie.
    [/quote]

    I can't. I just can't. But just plugging on, and hoping that we'll get there. It's disappointing to push the op back, but going into the op with a dog madly scratching his right ear, with his right leg (the leg that is to be operated on) just doesn't sound like the kind of thing I need to do either. ::)
     
  10. kateincornwall

    kateincornwall Registered Users

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    Re: Ear infection - now with blood!

    Onwards and upwards Julie, not long now and then at least you will know that its the recovery period , helping you to project to that happy time when your dear boy is free to romp again , well done to all of you, sorry if that sounds patronising , I dont mean it to x
     
  11. Oberon

    Oberon Supporting Member Forum Supporter

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    Re: Ear infection - now with blood!

    That is all really hopeful. Hooray for vet specialists, of which I am a big fan.
     
  12. JulieT

    JulieT Registered Users

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    Re: Ear infection - now with blood!

    [quote author=Oberon link=topic=4318.msg54280#msg54280 date=1392393967]
    Hooray for vet specialists, of which I am a big fan.
    [/quote]

    Me too...although, the care routine this evening took 35minutes - and it's twice a day!

    So tomorrow, I do all 5 lead walks myself (no dog walker at the weekend), the 3 physio sessions, nearly 3 hour round trip to hydro, and now add 70 minutes of ear care!

    Just think, when it's all over - all the TIME I'm going to have back. Won't know what to do with it all... ;D ;D ;D
     
  13. bbrown

    bbrown Moderator Forum Supporter

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    Re: Ear infection - now with blood!

    Get a cocker spaniel? ;)
     
  14. JulieT

    JulieT Registered Users

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    Re: Ear infection - now with blood!

    [quote author=bbrown link=topic=4318.msg54311#msg54311 date=1392403740]
    Get a cocker spaniel? ;)
    [/quote]

    Yeeessss! Of course! ;D ;D ;D
     
  15. drjs@5

    drjs@5 Registered Users

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    Re: Ear infection - now with blood!

    [quote author=JulieT link=topic=4318.msg54313#msg54313 date=1392403990]
    [quote author=bbrown link=topic=4318.msg54311#msg54311 date=1392403740]
    Get a cocker spaniel? ;)
    [/quote]

    Yeeessss! Of course! ;D ;D ;D
    [/quote]
    ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
     
  16. Dexter

    Dexter Moderator Forum Supporter

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    Re: Ear infection - now with blood!

    Ah Julie I'm really sorry you've had a set back....if it's only going to be a week that's not too awful...it's such a shame that to get to the root of the problem seems so tricky....at least you can be confident now that a specialist is overseeing his treatment so you should be getting the best advice and will finally know the cause.
    Oh your days are so dog labour intensive....I know we all do what you have to do to make sure they are safe and well but blimey,Charlie Boy you are a diva,sooooooo high maintenance ;D Good job he's so loved and all this care will get him right for sure,sending best wishes x
     
  17. ClareJ

    ClareJ Registered Users

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    Re: Ear infection - now with blood!

    Just catching up with this now... Julie, you need to be putting extra hours in your day onto your next birthday list. Or just the cocker spaniel. ;)

    It will be sorted. He will be well. You will have the experience necessary to sort the rest of us out and still have time left over. Hang on in there just that little bit longer - and wine improves the strength of your grip. Honest. ::)
    Clare
     

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