Chronic ear problems... :( help

kraylovesduke · 02-13-2011, 10:05 PM

Hello

my buddy Dukie is 3 and has had ear infections- goopy stinky sensitive ears- since i adopted him. I have tried EVERYTHING. I have him on a gluten free diet, he has been to the vet and gotten a presciption cream (waste of money), ive tried zymox otic, organic ear wipes... u name it. Am i missing something? Is there a secret remedy i dont know about?? please help us!! i feel so bad for him, and for me and my nose 4 having to smell those stinky but beautiful ears.

jaleely · 02-13-2011, 10:30 PM

My beagle, Daisy, has the same problem in just one ear. I've tried shots, fungal cream, ear washes, antibiotics, drying solution, just vinigar and alcohol...you name it. I finally broke down and got the $200 dollar test to see if, and what kind, of drug-resistant bacteria it is. That was the vets best guess, now, and so here we are...
I'll keep you updated since it sounds similar!

Mikey T · 02-14-2011, 02:00 AM

A pseudomonas or any other gram negative bacteria can be difficult to clear up however in the case of recuring infections there is generally and underlying cause that is dermalogical in nature ie allergies or seborrhea or both. most general practice vets are poor at dealing with dermalogical conditions a referral to a specialist may help

links on dealing with gram negative bacteria

Pseudomonas Otitis

Management of Otitis Externa: Thorough ear cleaning and understanding product selection
are essential components of managing otitis

THERAPY OF GRAM NEGATIVE OTITIS EXTERNA

Development of Antibiotic Resistance Amongst Pseudomonas Isolates From Veterinary Clinical Specimens

New Concepts In Ear Cleaning TrizEDTA (EDTA tris)

SophieB · 02-14-2011, 07:47 AM

I am not advertising.... but do a search on here or Google "Thornit Powder" and your dog's ears should not have
any future problems, unless there's some underlying cause!

http://www.thornitearpowder.com/

I've kept it in the house for many years and never have any ear problems,
not with my current Bassets and my dear old Bassets no longer with us.

PS: Look at these topics on here.... http://www.basset.net/boards/search.php?searchid=11674

PPS: I bet vets wish they had invented Thornit powder!

Mr. Woofus · 02-14-2011, 08:46 AM

The thing I've always used for Woofus that was recommended to me by my basset rescue is Blue Power ear treatment. We do this for him every week to 2 weeks and he's never had an infection. Hope this helps!!

Mikey T · 02-14-2011, 09:01 AM

Quote:

that was recommended to me by my basset rescue is Blue Power ear treatment. We do this for him every week to 2

You want to be carefull using this with an active infection especial a cronic one as it it likely there is an ear drum rupture. Many of the Ingredients in Blue power/powder are highly toxic to the inner ear it is possible to cause temporary or permenent hearing loss or even vestubular disease wich can effect balance, Consult with a vet before using.

Ototoxicity in Dogs and Cats

Quote:

solutions are Infused Into the middle ear through a perforated tympanic membrane, such Irreversible effects as partial or total loss of vestibular and cochlear function can result.

In patients that are at risk, agents that are known to be ototoxic should be avoided or used cautiously.
An OTOTOXIC AGENT is a substance that can induce hearing loss or disturbances of equilibrium by injuring structures within the inner ear. The loss can be obvious to the pet owner or apparent only during audiometric testing. Ototoxic injury to the vestibular apparatus can produce mild to severe ataxia, head tilt, circling, and nystagmus.1 Tinnitus and dizziness are relatively common signs in humans2,3 but are usually not detected in animals. Cochlear and vestibular damage can occur together or separately; such damage can be unilateral or bilateral.
Clinical signs can be acute or can progress insidiously. Signs can be transient or permanent, can progress after the therapeutic agent is withdrawn, and can be dose related or idiosyncratic.2 There apparently is no significant species-specific reaction to ototoxic drugs or agents.

OTOTOXICITY FROM EAR DROPS

Quote:

An antifungal, Gentian violet has the potential for severe damage (Tom, 2000), and it's use seems generally unreasonable in persons with perforations

Ear Infections in Dogs

Quote:

I have used this solution in combination with the witch hazel/aloe vera mixture above with success in treating a long-term yeast infection, but I still hesitate to recommend it. Both alcohol and gentian violet are ototoxic (can cause deafness) if the eardrum is ruptured. The solution dries the ear out (probably due to the alcohol), which really seems to help stop the yeast from multiplying. It can be irritating to the ear, though, so I don't use it as frequently as recommended. It can also be very painful if ears are inflamed. Some people have used witch hazel or a combination of witch hazel and aloe in place of the alcohol in the recipe for a dog with very sensitive ears, or for long term use with a dog prone to yeast infections.

bubbad · 02-14-2011, 12:12 PM

Because we cannot clear up Vinny's ear infection the vet suggested a deep ear flush which I am about ready to set up.

Soundtrack · 02-14-2011, 04:38 PM

The Blue Power recipe specifically states to make sure that the eardrum is not ruptured before you use it.

That said, I've found it to be very effective it clearing up ear problems. It worked on the worst ear infection I've ever dealt with, when NOTHING, not any of the remedies from the vet, and none of my usually tricks (believe me, I have a lot of them) would work. I used it in combination with the water/vinegar solution also mentioned in the Blue Power directions - the vinegar/water first, as it seemed to irritate him, then the Blue Power which seemed to soothe. His ears were oozing yellow pus, you could smell him a mile away, and if you tried to clean them they would bleed. Within days I saw improvement, two weeks later his ears were like new.

The amount of Gentian Violet in the solution is tiny - 16 drops per 16 oz.

Keep in mind that chronic ear infections are almost always due to allergies. Unless the underlying condition can be cleared up, the infections will come back no matter what you use.

In the case of allergies, you want to minimize the vaccinations and surgeries your dog is subjected to. In fact, recent research is indicating that once vaccinated and boostered a dog should be immunized for life. Webster's vet told me flat out not to vaccinate him again, because they exacerbate allergies.

Blue Power recipe:
BLUE.HTM

SophieB · 02-14-2011, 06:02 PM

I'm with Soundtrack re no more vaccinations other than the two puppy ones they have.... too long to go into but there was a discussion on here some time ago about this. When my Bassets were just over a year old my vet told me their 'annual injections'were due... so I told her that as my children were innoculated and boosted once... and not annually, then my doggy kids were not going to be done either.

I told her that I had read a book about how innoculations can wreck a dog's immune system and cause all sorts of allergies (and probably so many cancers that are around these days) and I also told her that I read that dogs have a 7yr to lifelong cover from their puppy injections... she knew I was serious and said that they have a 3yr - 7yr cover, yet there she was telling me their annual injections were due!

A new kennel that opened near me are not believers of annual jabs and said they do more harm than good and are not insisting on them, other than puppy ones (not that I use kennels) and the owner breeds and shows dogs and said that breeders don't get their adult dogs done either.

At £60 where I live, it's just a licence to print money and no doubt old people (like the owner of Tricky Woo in James Herriot books) would probably get their poodles etc done every year but people who have easy internet access/discussions/forums etc and can read up on it, probably have got wise to vets trying to get dogs done every year/2yrs!

Kraylovesduke, I hope you can get to the bottom of your poor Basset's ear infection and get it cleared up.

Edit: Once Duke is clear, you could get a small bottle of Thornits and put a tiny amount in each ear once a fortnight... it's always worked for me!

Soundtrack · 02-14-2011, 07:27 PM

Sophie, it IS recommended that they get a booster at one year, primarily because there is a chance that there were still maternal antibodies interfering with the vaccines at the time of the last puppy shots which would mean the dog is NOT protected. But after that they should be good to go.

02-13-2011, 10:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
kraylovesduke Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: rochester Posts: 2	Chronic ear problems... :( help Hello my buddy Dukie is 3 and has had ear infections- goopy stinky sensitive ears- since i adopted him. I have tried EVERYTHING. I have him on a gluten free diet, he has been to the vet and gotten a presciption cream (waste of money), ive tried zymox otic, organic ear wipes... u name it. Am i missing something? Is there a secret remedy i dont know about?? please help us!! i feel so bad for him, and for me and my nose 4 having to smell those stinky but beautiful ears.

02-14-2011, 07:47 AM	#4 (permalink)
SophieB Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 839	I am not advertising.... but do a search on here or Google "Thornit Powder" and your dog's ears should not have any future problems, unless there's some underlying cause! http://www.thornitearpowder.com/ I've kept it in the house for many years and never have any ear problems, not with my current Bassets and my dear old Bassets no longer with us. PS: Look at these topics on here.... http://www.basset.net/boards/search.php?searchid=11674 PPS: I bet vets wish they had invented Thornit powder! Last edited by SophieB; 02-14-2011 at 07:51 AM.

02-14-2011, 04:38 PM	#8 (permalink)
Soundtrack Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,581	The Blue Power recipe specifically states to make sure that the eardrum is not ruptured before you use it. That said, I've found it to be very effective it clearing up ear problems. It worked on the worst ear infection I've ever dealt with, when NOTHING, not any of the remedies from the vet, and none of my usually tricks (believe me, I have a lot of them) would work. I used it in combination with the water/vinegar solution also mentioned in the Blue Power directions - the vinegar/water first, as it seemed to irritate him, then the Blue Power which seemed to soothe. His ears were oozing yellow pus, you could smell him a mile away, and if you tried to clean them they would bleed. Within days I saw improvement, two weeks later his ears were like new. The amount of Gentian Violet in the solution is tiny - 16 drops per 16 oz. Keep in mind that chronic ear infections are almost always due to allergies. Unless the underlying condition can be cleared up, the infections will come back no matter what you use. In the case of allergies, you want to minimize the vaccinations and surgeries your dog is subjected to. In fact, recent research is indicating that once vaccinated and boostered a dog should be immunized for life. Webster's vet told me flat out not to vaccinate him again, because they exacerbate allergies. Blue Power recipe: BLUE.HTM __________________ Rosie-Ch Soundtrack Cracklin' Rose CGN AGN RA Am RN TT Melody-Ch Soundtrack Unchained Melody TT Sailor-Ch Soundtrack Expedition Sailor RN TT Chili-Ch Soundtrack Spice Up Your Life Curry-Ch Soundtrack Canadian Brass Pepper-Ch Pennieslogon Living La Vida Loca CGN Vina-Ch Soundtrack Grand Illusion Leila-Ch Soundtrack Almost Paradise Deela-Ch Soundtrack Wink Of An Eye Hermione - Soundtrack Spellbound Eowyn - Soundtrack Rain Dance

02-14-2011, 06:02 PM	#9 (permalink)
SophieB Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 839	I'm with Soundtrack re no more vaccinations other than the two puppy ones they have.... too long to go into but there was a discussion on here some time ago about this. When my Bassets were just over a year old my vet told me their 'annual injections'were due... so I told her that as my children were innoculated and boosted once... and not annually, then my doggy kids were not going to be done either. I told her that I had read a book about how innoculations can wreck a dog's immune system and cause all sorts of allergies (and probably so many cancers that are around these days) and I also told her that I read that dogs have a 7yr to lifelong cover from their puppy injections... she knew I was serious and said that they have a 3yr - 7yr cover, yet there she was telling me their annual injections were due! A new kennel that opened near me are not believers of annual jabs and said they do more harm than good and are not insisting on them, other than puppy ones (not that I use kennels) and the owner breeds and shows dogs and said that breeders don't get their adult dogs done either. At £60 where I live, it's just a licence to print money and no doubt old people (like the owner of Tricky Woo in James Herriot books) would probably get their poodles etc done every year but people who have easy internet access/discussions/forums etc and can read up on it, probably have got wise to vets trying to get dogs done every year/2yrs! Kraylovesduke, I hope you can get to the bottom of your poor Basset's ear infection and get it cleared up. Edit: Once Duke is clear, you could get a small bottle of Thornits and put a tiny amount in each ear once a fortnight... it's always worked for me! Last edited by SophieB; 02-14-2011 at 06:06 PM.

02-14-2011, 07:27 PM	#10 (permalink)
Soundtrack Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada Posts: 2,581	Sophie, it IS recommended that they get a booster at one year, primarily because there is a chance that there were still maternal antibodies interfering with the vaccines at the time of the last puppy shots which would mean the dog is NOT protected. But after that they should be good to go. __________________ Rosie-Ch Soundtrack Cracklin' Rose CGN AGN RA Am RN TT Melody-Ch Soundtrack Unchained Melody TT Sailor-Ch Soundtrack Expedition Sailor RN TT Chili-Ch Soundtrack Spice Up Your Life Curry-Ch Soundtrack Canadian Brass Pepper-Ch Pennieslogon Living La Vida Loca CGN Vina-Ch Soundtrack Grand Illusion Leila-Ch Soundtrack Almost Paradise Deela-Ch Soundtrack Wink Of An Eye Hermione - Soundtrack Spellbound Eowyn - Soundtrack Rain Dance

02-13-2011, 10:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
jaleely Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 942	My beagle, Daisy, has the same problem in just one ear. I've tried shots, fungal cream, ear washes, antibiotics, drying solution, just vinigar and alcohol...you name it. I finally broke down and got the $200 dollar test to see if, and what kind, of drug-resistant bacteria it is. That was the vets best guess, now, and so here we are... I'll keep you updated since it sounds similar!

02-14-2011, 02:00 AM	#3 (permalink)
Mikey T Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: West Warrwick, RI Posts: 7,729	A pseudomonas or any other gram negative bacteria can be difficult to clear up however in the case of recuring infections there is generally and underlying cause that is dermalogical in nature ie allergies or seborrhea or both. most general practice vets are poor at dealing with dermalogical conditions a referral to a specialist may help links on dealing with gram negative bacteria Pseudomonas Otitis Management of Otitis Externa: Thorough ear cleaning and understanding product selection are essential components of managing otitis THERAPY OF GRAM NEGATIVE OTITIS EXTERNA Development of Antibiotic Resistance Amongst Pseudomonas Isolates From Veterinary Clinical Specimens New Concepts In Ear Cleaning TrizEDTA (EDTA tris)

02-14-2011, 08:46 AM	#5 (permalink)
Mr. Woofus Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Long Beach, Ca Posts: 146	The thing I've always used for Woofus that was recommended to me by my basset rescue is Blue Power ear treatment. We do this for him every week to 2 weeks and he's never had an infection. Hope this helps!!

02-14-2011, 12:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
bubbad Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Boiling Springs,Pa Posts: 1,347	Because we cannot clear up Vinny's ear infection the vet suggested a deep ear flush which I am about ready to set up.

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