Dog has an ear infection?

Rethius

Today I noticed that my dog keeps shaking her head and trying to scratch at the inside of her ear. When I inspected it, I saw that it was pretty red and irritated in there. I compared it to the other ear (which was fine) and after consulting internet have determined that it's probably some sort of ear infection (it smells like hell, which is supposed to be the sign).

I have already called my vet and they can't get me in until Monday. I could take her to an emergency vet place, but I don't know if that is warranted for an infection. So far, it just seems to be bugging her - doesn't seem to be something that I need to bust down the doors of an animal hospital for.

1. Should I just bite the bullet and take her in today, or do you think she'll be okay to wait a day and a half? I can pay to get her into the animal hospital, but I'd rather save the hundreds of dollars it'll be and get her in on Monday for 50.00

2. I read that if I apply a warm compress on the affected area it will minimize the symptoms and make her feel a lot less like hell. How do you do that on a dog with ears that stand up? Do you guys know of anything else that can make the wait easier on her?


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Raekreu

If she doesn't appear to be in pain I wouldn't take her to the emergency vet. Emergency vets are more like trauma specialists so they deal with things like broken bones or difficult births.

It might not be a full blown infection. It could be ear mites, which also cause itchies and cause a pretty bad smell. Either way, when you go to the vet the treatment will probably be fairly simple. Your pup may have to wear a lampshade for a few days, though.

illig

a warm compress should help her feel better, but to actually get rid of the infection you need an antibiotic or something to kill the bacteria - this is usually done with alcohol or something acidic like vinegar... google around for what exactly to use, but it's typically a diluted solution poured into the ear and sloshed, or applied via Q-tip.

personally, ,i'd try neosporin on a q-tip... it's a mild antibiotic and it seems to work on our dog when she gets small irritations... admittedly, i haven't used it inside of an ear but i've definitely put other prescription pastes and liquids in there

Mim

I think she can hold out till Monday. My dog Harvey (may he rest in peace) had an ear infection that was pretty bad. We had no idea what it was though till he went to his next check up. We just thought because he had floppy ears he scratched a lot.

Let me tell you now though, cleaning your dogs ears with the treatment they give you, will be a huge pain in the ass. At first they will not want to sit still and expect to get some of the stuff on you. After awhile they'll give in though.

Rethius

Thanks for the replies guys, I'll wait until Monday to take her in. Do you know how to actually apply the compress? Haha. Forgive my ignorance, but do you actually put it in the ear?

Raekreu

Rethius wrote: »

Thanks for the replies guys, I'll wait until Monday to take her in. Do you know how to actually apply the compress? Haha. Forgive my ignorance, but do you actually put it in the ear?

I wouldn't put it in the ear itself. Just applying a heat source should probably be enough. A warm washcloth held to the outside of the itchy ear would probably be enough to give some relief.

mts

does you dog have droopy ears or pointy? droopy eared dogs are really succeptable to yeast infections which are uncomfortable. do her ears smell funky?

they sell ear cleaning solution at pet stores (i think) basically you soak a cotton ball in it, stick it in their ear and rub the ear to clean it out.

it could be fleas or bug bites too

i wouldn't put a compress on her

Kistra

She can probably wait until Monday unless you have been ignoring the symptoms for a while. Do not physically stick a qtip or cotton ball in her ear. I also wouldn't recommend using any of the commercial solutions with vinegar or alcohol until she gets checked out by a vet. Infections can damage the skin and those solutions will hurt your dog a lot and they aren't going to be strong enough to get rid of an actual infection anyways.

After you get rid of the infection with antibiotics from the vet, you might want to look into the ear cleaning solutions to prevent future occurrences. The alcohol and vinegar dry out the ear canal and make it a less hospitable place for bacteria and yeast to live. To use them you put some in the ear canal and hold a cotton ball over the entrance to catch the fluid as she shakes it back out.

I don't know anything about compresses, sorry.

Trillian

If you put an alcohol solution in the ear right now she'll hit the roof and never let you near it again.
The medications used for infections contain antimicrobials to kill the offending organism without hurting the dog. The every day cleaning stuff you'll be given contains alcohol to dry out the ear so it doesn't make such a good habitat. Do not get the inside of the ear wet; it'll only make it worse. It's not an abscess, it's a topical infection and needs ointment to clear it up; it's not purulent so a hot compress won't help.

GoodOmens

My doggy used to get ear gunk all the time. That cheesy smell you mentioned is definitely the sign. And, as others have said, doing the cleaning can be a pain, especially early on when it still really hurts. My advice: do it outside, and have a partner who can hold your dog and calm her down. Liza didn't like me putting the solution in, but didn't mind when I slooshed it around (she thought I was rubbing her face, I think), but really REALLY wanted a good shake afterwards, and that stuff goes everywhere.

useless4

I have a basset so ear issues are a daily concern.

The vet has never said "rush her in now!" or "you should have come in earlier!"

They give us a wash solution, the dog hates it. Problem solved.
I suggest letting someone else give the solution to the dog, then the dog will love you all the more after it gets done trying to scrape it's ears off on the ground.