Big Bax, our 110 lb. Golden, is constantly suffering from bacteria infections in at least one ear. It seems that no matter what we do, we can’t get it cleared up for good. Baxter’s ear can get pretty sore such that he scratches at it and whines at the same time.
We keep rinsing and buying little 1.25 oz. bottles of Zymox for $17 a bottle. The Zymox helps a bit but not nearly enough. I hear that ear infections can venture into the dog’s brain if not checked so we’re somewhat worried. The vet says he’s got something that will clear it up but it’s only $45 for a .5 oz bottle. I’m not sure I can handle a $45 gamble right now. Anyone have experience with this? Any other options? Directions?
Buster is a Shar-Pei mix and, as such, has constricted ear canals. They are difficult to clean. He has suffered from many ear infections from swimming in salt water or even being rinsed with fresh water. I always use the acetic acid rinses now whenever his ears get wet regardless of the conditions. When they get infected on occasion (the daring do the smell test to tell for sure) it is a three week course of a prescription antibiotic fluid administered to the ear twice a day for three weeks. In other words it’s a pain, but it does work. I don’t remember what the antibiotic is but the vets see this stuff all the time and yours probably knows what he’s doing. Infected ears drive dogs crazy. Fix those ears for good if you’re able. If the infection entered the brain I don’t know if you would be able to tell with a dog…or a unicyclist.
My family also has a Golden retriever when she gets an ear infection we use VET Solution Ear Cleansing solution to clear out the drainage (pour into ear massage gently then use tissue to clear drainage out and dry)and then use Otomax (10 drops in infected ear and massage)
that is what the vet instructed and gave us for her ear infections hope it helps Baxter
The stuff we were prescribed for Buster was animax ointment: nysatin-neomycin sulfate-thiostrepton-triamcinolone acetonide. Sounds like an antibiotic punch to me. Karen says she doesn’t think it was any $45, though.
Spend the 45.00
My last Lab had ear infections on and off for years and I tried different things and finally she lost her hearing, so when my other Lab got an ear infection I went to the vet paid 40-50 for the medicine plus the cost to see the vet but it worked. The medicine from the vet only needed 4-5 drops in the infected ear and rub in good to take care of the problem.
$45 is a “drop in the bucket” in comparison to what you might have to spend should complications develop. Like Harper said, they see the whole gamut of pet problems, so they’ll know what’s best for your pup.
If $45 is a stretch for you (no judgment on your wealth or status, here) and you really, truly care about the welfare of your doggies, you might look into pet insurance. The ASPCA has a plan that seems to cover more than most other providers, and you can get one that’s as little as $15 a month.
I’m looking into insurance for my two cats right now, as I just got a series of bills totalling nearly $2500 for my Jasper who has been suffering from kidney stones. Thankfully he seems to be alright at this point, but we can’t say until his re-examination in a month.
Big Bax went to the doggie doctor today. The vet (and good friend of mine) stuck a cotton swab in each ear, smelled the swab, and told me it smelled like one kind of bacteria over another kind. I guess you have to be in the business for that kind of detection. To my nose, Bax’s ears just plain ol’ stunk!
Doc gave us (or rather sold us) some more ear cleanser, some otibiotic ointment, and oral Ciprofloxin antibiotic. He wanted to reserve the $45/half ounce stuff as a last resort as the medicine can also make a dog go deaf. He said the bacteria were probably already resistant to the Zymox we’d been using and may already be resistant to the otibiotic. Let’s hope not. Doc also said that bacteria can quickly develop resistance to the $45 stuff so we have to be careful. If we reach there, the next step would be to remove some of the ear to allow drainage or if it’s bad enough, resect all of the ear back to the eardrum. Man, if I thought Baxter had a hard time coming when called now…
Oh, the other thing we found out is that Baxter tips the scales at 115 lbs. Guess ol’ Bax will be cutting back whether he likes it or not. He has a habit of laying on the floor and growling and barking at his empty food dish.
I noticed today that my dog has a ear infection, i washed out her ear this morning to get some of the gunk out. And yesterday i made an appointment for rabies shots at my vet, and i didn’t noticed her ear at all yesterday, and her appointment is on the 19th. So do you think she could wait until the 19th or should i try and get a earlyer appointment?
I home brew Kefir for my breakfast. The excess goes to our two dogs. They don’t suffer from anything. Kefir is a probiotic that, among a hundred other benefits, is supposed to help avoid ear infections. Probiotics can also be bought in a capsule form at health food stores.
I feel for your dog. i had many ear infections as a child and now have scar tissue on the ear drums. The doctor says the scars distort my hearing (I come up with my own words to songs) and that I can’t hear high pitched sounds (like my wife’s voice).
Ok then, put it this way, you could buy about four KH20s for that. Or a schlumpf geared KH36 with titanium hub and still have enough for another, well priced dog.
EDIT: I just realized that I didn’t answer your question at all. $2500 is still a large amount of money, even if you have a good job. I just don’t see the merit to spend so much on something that has a short life expectancy, and for (at least me) something that isn’t worth it. Also you have the cost of food and whatelse there is for as long as it lives. For this reason I’m against these types of pets. Fish on the other hand are cheap and cool.