Now, I know that with a name like Pongo this is bound to raise a smile..... but his ears smell really sour, and there is some black gunk in them (some sort of slimy, some more gritty). He's also just started occasionally to paw at them. Any ideas what it might be, and what I should do? (Should I get in there with a cotton ball to clean them out, or should I leave well alone?) Rosie PS He's got bad breath too, but I suspect that is just because he's a doggie...
Re: Smelly ears Hi Rosie, smelly ears needs a trip to the vet I'm afraid. He could have ear mites, a yeast infection, or some other problem that would benefit from treatment. Best to get it checked.
Re: Smelly ears Oh no poor Pongo. I would suggest a trip to the vets - doesn't sound normal let us know how you get on x
Re: Smelly ears A vet visit is my suggestion too,Dexter had a yeast infection once and it was easily treated. Let us know how he does. X
Re: Smelly ears Ah, much sympathy - I messed around with problem ears for months (now got a routine that keeps them clear). Try to get to the vet and bash it on the head quick. If my experience is anything to go by, if you let it linger you can be in for the long haul to get rid of problems. (I didn't let it linger deliberately, just kept getting prescribed antibiotics when it wasn't an infection).
Re: Smelly ears Julie said '... now got a routine that keeps them clear ...' I've just taken Wispa to the vet and have ointment to put in her ears twice daily. What's your routine (for after the infection has been cured)? I'd like to avoid a recurrence if I can!
Re: Smelly ears Poor Pongo...hope his ears are sorted soon. We use a pinch of Thornit in Benson s ears every couple months or so, does anyone else use Thornit? It was recommended by our breeder which is why we use it.
Re: Smelly ears [quote author=Granca link=topic=6832.msg92844#msg92844 date=1404335115] Julie said '... now got a routine that keeps them clear ...' I've just taken Wispa to the vet and have ointment to put in her ears twice daily. What's your routine (for after the infection has been cured)? I'd like to avoid a recurrence if I can! [/quote] It depends what the problem is - it's really important to know what you are dealing with. Charlie's problem is yeast growth (likely caused by the self cleaning mechanism in his ear being disrupted by not clearing up the first problem fast enough when he was a pup). So we use an appropriate cleaner to keep the ph of his ears in a state unsuitable for yeast growth. We are also super, super vigilant about checking his ears and getting back to the dermatologist at the first sign of problems. If you search, you'll find some hugely useful posts by Lochan on ear problems. (I'll see whether I can find them in a mo). We know exactly what to do now, to stop a problem. As soon as there is any sign of discharge or redness, we move from weekly ear cleaning to daily ear cleaning, then we move to water flushes plus ear cleaning. Only after that do we apply drops (prescribed by the dermatologist, not oily antibioctics drops originally prescribed by the vet which are completely ineffective although do reduce the symtoms temporarily), and even then after cleaning (never apply drops without cleaning - they just sit on the gunk). Thornit, I believe, is effective against ear mites. But if you use something like advocate anyway, there is no need to double up.
Re: Smelly ears Yes, totally agree Julie, if there is a problem and with a dogs ears, so important to identify the culprit and treat accordingly, and early. My SIL had huge problems with her spaniels ears, and in part not getting the correct treatment early made things worse.
Re: Smelly ears So Paul took Pongo to the vet today and he got an injection (to reduce the itching - I think something steroid-ish?) and Canaural ear drops which we have to give him twice a day til the bottle is empty. They seem to be a mixture of concoctions that treat all causes of smelly ears (yeasts, mites, infections....) so hopefully all will clear up soon. He actually seemed quite happy to have his drops put in....maybe they were nice and cool in his itchy ears! :-\ Patient puppy. He's fast asleep on the sofa with me now.
Re: Smelly ears Oh NO! Now he has just had a pee on the carpet for no reason! (Could this possibly be related to steroid injection??? Or vet visit????)
Re: Smelly ears Betting on the steroid injection here. Steroids cause an increase in urination then a compensatory increase in thirst. I reckon he just got caught unawares!
Re: Smelly ears Glad you have some meds and that he's taking them well,whoops about the wee but he's had a pulled about day xxx Let us know how he does x
Re: Smelly ears [quote author=Beanwood link=topic=6832.msg92850#msg92850 date=1404336307] We use a pinch of Thornit in Benson s ears every couple months or so, does anyone else use Thornit? It was recommended by our breeder which is why we use it. [/quote] Hi Kate - I'd be interested to know about Thornit if Pongo's problem recurs... will watch this string to see if anyone else has any experience... Pongo says hi to Benson x
Re: Smelly ears [quote author=Lochan link=topic=6832.msg93021#msg93021 date=1404409628] Betting on the steroid injection here. Steroids cause an increase in urination then a compensatory increase in thirst. I reckon he just got caught unawares! [/quote] OH MY GOODNESS! Lochan, I'm glad you posted this - we've just had another HUGE pee in the kitchen, then immediately another HUGE one outside, then hoovered up gallons of water from his bowl. As long as I can blame it on the steroid injection, I'm not too worried (although I'm not sure he'll get through the night...) Poor old Pongo
Re: Smelly ears [quote author=Rosie link=topic=6832.msg93007#msg93007 date=1404403020] He actually seemed quite happy to have his drops put in....maybe they were nice and cool in his itchy ears! :-\ Patient puppy. [/quote] Wow. We have rampant inflation of the price of ear drop application in our house....currently at quarter of a sardine to apply, itchy ear massage for 10 minutes to prevent ear cleaner being rubbed all over the furniture, and thigh massage for 5 minutes (otherwise foot attached to thigh scratches ear)....we'll be up to half a sardine and a full body massage soon... ;D ;D ;D really think the BoE should be paying attention to this! ;D ;D ;D
Re: Smelly ears It's a shame your vet couldn't be a little more precise on the diagnosis as it might help you to try to reduce chances of it happening again! Ear probs, particularly yeast infections, can be linked to food so going grain free might stop it reoccurring. If it is a yeast infection a spoonful of probiotic natural yoghurt might also help too. Hope this helps. Chloe
Re: Smelly ears [quote author=rubyrubyruby link=topic=6832.msg93038#msg93038 date=1404416752] Ear probs, particularly yeast infections, can be linked to food so going grain free might stop it reoccurring. If it is a yeast infection a spoonful of probiotic natural yoghurt might also help. [/quote] I was convinced my boy's ear problems were caused by an allergy - the dermatologist was having none of it. He said that there would be other signs of an allergy - irritated skin, or eyes, etc. and ear infections/problems on their own, with no other symptoms, are not the result of an allergy. Here is Lochan on yeast problems in the ear: http://www.thelabradorforum.com/index.php?topic=4318.msg53481#msg53481
