Shaking head alot

[anna30]

Our puppy seems to be shaking his head and scrathing his ears alot. I looked in his ears and saw they were midly dirty. We put cleaning solution in them. If he continues this pattern, we plan to take him into the vet this week. Can anyone tell me what they think mi ght be going on with his ears?????

[pazzo]

First thought, ear infection. I was told that they are more prone to ear infections because ear is covered and can trap in moisture. Don't know how true that is, in any case this behavior you are describing has always led me to the vet with an infection. They can be very painful. i would take him as soon as you can.

[mmilard]

I say either a ear infection or ear mites.

[Mochasmom]

What are you feeding him? Ear infections are often caused by allergies.

[StephanieandToby]

Has your puppy been playing in the tall grass?....it could be a piece of Spear Grass.
Does the ear smell "off"?? (yeasty??)

[Daisy Duke]

Originally Posted by StephanieandToby

Has your puppy been playing in the tall grass?....it could be a piece of Spear Grass.
Does the ear smell "off"?? (yeasty??)

If the ear is smelly it is probably a yeast infection.....they can cause serious problems if left for a long time.....

[pharoahsmom]

I agree with the ear infection. My rott got an infection about 5 years ago after swimming. His ears have never been the same. We clean so much stinky gunk out of his ears on a regular basis and use the ear wash too. When we rub his ears, gently pushing up to the jaw bone, you can often hear squishing in there. 2 years ago he ended up having surgery on his inner ear because it was so swollen and infected, they couldnt get to it all. They had to remove a portion of his ear canal in order to clean it all out. If hes rubbing his ears, get em checked and as quickly as you can. Imagine how it itches and how that must drive him crazy. The itching will also cause red, raw skin on his inside ear flap from the toe nails. We use cortisone ointment after wiping the ear flap with a peroxide covered towel.

[BostonRott]

Ear infections can be caused by either bacteria or yeast. And sometimes when it's caused by one and you treat that one, the other then sets up an opportunistic infection. When you get the dog in to the vet, have them swab and check the ear discharge to determine whether its bacterial/yeast or both. That way, you'll get the proper treatment (if it is an ear infection).

[cuppacoffee]

Originally Posted by anna30

Our puppy seems to be shaking his head and scrathing his ears alot. I looked in his ears and saw they were midly dirty. We put cleaning solution in them. If he continues this pattern, we plan to take him into the vet this week. Can anyone tell me what they think mi ght be going on with his ears?????

Hi Anna,
Take your pup to the vet, and make sure he or she shows you how to properly flush the dogs ears. Our dog came to us with massive yeast infections in both ears. We treated it with an antifungal for about two weeks, now we just flush weekly with an infant ear dropper - no problems since. It's very easily treatable.
Kate