Dirty Ear?

[aquarius3079]

On Thursday last week I noticed that Link's right ear was bugging him but nothing major and I cleaned it out and watched it. Sunday morning he woke Jeremy up scratching and messing with it. So we got up and looked inside and didn't see anything but it was really droopy and driving him crazy. I came on here, read the archives and gave him benedryl and started using the water/alcohol/vinegar swab. I have been doing that since and yesterday when I swabbed the cotton was REALLY dirty. Today the same thing. Does he need a trip to the vet or is this all the gunk coming to the surface? It is not droopy anymore except when I clean it and he is no longer scratching it. There never was a smell. I just don't want to let it go and have a serious problem and have him in pain. Thanks.

[Judi W]

You can keep this up for a week and then if not great improvement go to the vet, or go to the vet now. If he had a lot of packed in gunk in the ear, it is going to take a bit to get it liquified. Use the mixture several times a day. If that seems to take care of it, put him on a program of once a week with his weekly grooming nails attention.

[aquarius3079]

Thanks Judi. I just wanted to make sure all that gunk could be normal. My gut says it's just coming to the surface so I will continue with regimen and if we still have a problem after a week we will take him in.

[rottnkidd]

I appreciate Judi's good advice, however, according to your post this ear problem started last Thursday, which will be a week tomorrow. If he's still having a problem I'd take him in now, instead of treating it yourself. It may very well be a bacterial or yeast infection, especially if the "gunk" is brownish in color.
The risk one takes with trying to treat it at home, is the discharge may be getting pushed further down into the canal. I'd play it safe and have the vet take a look.
Best wishes -
kathy

[Judi W]

Good point. Looks like that week window I was talking about has pretty much expired. The viniger wash BTW is excellent for yeast and used by swimmers to take care of swimmer's ear which is actually a yeast infection caused by the constant moisture. but you don't know what else might be cooking there.

[rottnkidd]

Thanks Judi. I know the multitude of posts you reply to regularly and it's easy to overlook some details. My only concern was for the dog, and certainly not to step on your little toes in the big shoes, that I'll certainly never fill!
kathy

[Judi W]

Hey, I do freestyle in steel toed boots.

[Denise L.]

Cyrus had the brown gunk in his right ear but it didn't seem to bother him. But I had him checked out anyway and he did have an infection.

My vet told me to be sure I used a product that contained "Chlorhydosomething" (Does anyone know what I mean?) when cleaning Cyrus's ears. The wipes I get at Pet Express does contain it.

[aquarius3079]

Thanks everyone. I was thinking the week would start from when it bugged him (Sunday) but you are right the week has expired. I will try to get him in tomorrow and if not definitely Monday. In the the meantime should I continue with the cleaning?

[aquarius3079]

Just wanted to update...we took Link to the vet this morning and sure enough he has a moderate yeast infection in his ear. The vet gave us drops for both ears just in case and I am sure he'll be good as new in no time!

[Judi W]

Good. After you get it under control if you will use a viniger wash during your weekly grooming session, you should never see it again.

[aquarius3079]

Originally Posted by Judi W

Good. After you get it under control if you will use a viniger wash during your weekly grooming session, you should never see it again.

Thanks Judi, Mondays are now nail & ear night!