THE CHOCOLATE DOG BLOG

Dear Vets: I have a four year old chocolate lab named “Harley”. He gets ear infections all the time. I have been taking him every month to the vets’ office and it is getting expensive. Is there any alternative medicine to use or something for him to make him feel better. The vets’ office will not let me just come in and pick up a prescription. He also has really bad allergies so I have been giving him benadryl. I need some help.

Sounds like Harley is suffering from a condition called otitis externa. This is the latin name for an outer ear infection. Ears can become infected when conditions favour the over population of microorganisms like bacteria and yeast.

Factors such as excessive moisture, warmth and wax all create a favourable enviroment for these bugs to proliferate. As a result, the ear becomes red, inflamed, swollen and sore. Many dogs will scratch or constantly shake their heads.

Often there will be foul discharge exuding from the ear canal. If left untreated, the infection will progress to infect the middle or inner ear canals, leading to a serious medical problem.

Dogs who generally swim a lot (like Labradors) are predisposed to ear infections because their ears are constantly wet. However, other underlying conditions can also be the cause of recurrent ear infections.

Hormonal imbalance (ie. hypothyroidism), allergies, parasitemia (ie. ear mites) and atopy can all impair the ear from healing even with prescribed medications. A visit to the veterinarians’ office can be crucial in the proper diagnosis and treatment of ear disease. Typically this will include a thorough physical examination including an aural (ear) exam with an instrument called an otoscope. This tool helps to view both the vertical and horizontal canals as well as the tympanic membrane (ear drum).

Generally an ear cleaner and some ear drops will be prescribed to alleviate the symptoms.

Occassionally when the infection is severe enough, oral antibiotics or antifungals will be prescribed.

Sometimes steroids and/or antihistamines (ie. benadryl) will also be used if the ears are excessively swollen and sore. The veterinarian can also collect a swab of the aural discharge and send it away to an external laboratory to perform a culture and sensitivity.

This test can be very important for recurrent ear infections, and although expensive, will determine what organism(s) is causing the problem and which antibiotic will be effective. Sometimes blood tests will be required to determine if there are any underlying allergies, hormone or organ problems.

As far as at home care goes, consider the following:

Always dry the ears after a bath or swim using a hand towel. Never stick q-tips into the ear canal as the ear drum (tympanic membrane) can be easily ruptured.

Keep the hair on the under side of the ear trim. Excess hair promotes moisture and hence the over population of microorganisms. A quick trim with a shaver is best, but never stick it into the canal.

Never pluck hair out as this will keep the pores open and provide a good residence for pesky bugs to live.

Check ears daily for redness, swelling and malodourous discharge. Infections that are caught and treated early rarely lead to serious conditions.

Invest in a good ear cleaner (purchased over the counter at vet offices) and learn from your veterinarian how to properly clean the ear. Once weekly cleaning will remove excess wax and dry out the ears, helping to prevent infection.

Always use medication as directed and finish the whole course of antibiotics.

If the ears recurrently become infected despite proper care, then one must search for an underlying condition. Consult your local veterinarian.

My advice for Harley would be to explore any underlying conditions that would cause these recurrent infections and to ensure that proper home care of the ears is being performed. Good luck and I hope he feels better soon!

If you would like to ask Dr. Tiffany Durzi and Dr. Lana Watler from the Cayman Animal Hospital a question please email: askthevets@caymannetnews.com

This entry was posted on Monday, November 27, 2006 at 11/27/2006 12:11:00 PM. You can skip to the end and leave a response.