Gulliver with ear infection.
First off my wife and I love OESs and have been owned by them for many years! Our last rescue was through Jim Spurling and his lovely wife. Now my question is about Gulliver, our rescue from Jim ( back in 2000 ). Gulliver has an ear infection that we can not seem to shake. He has been to our vet at least 4 times in the last few months, and no medication that we have been given seems to help. We had a specific histology run on the infection twice, but again nothing seems to help him. Has anyone had the same problem, and if so any ideas? Gully is a sweet boy and I hate to see him uncomfortable from this problem! |
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| Tasker (13 yrs old) has had chronic ear infections all his life. We average 5 a year and rarely went more than 8 weeks with one. A couple years ago the Vet suggested that we have a deep cleaning of his ears done under anesthesia. Because of his age I declined.
Last December he needed to be anesthetized for another reason so I told the vet to clean his ears as well. He has not had an ear infection since!!! A couple of suggestions... Has the Vet cultered the infection? That may be a very important step in identifying the cause. OHH, just read your post again and you have had that done. Have they ruled out yeast? Also, we do a very deep cleaning every week (Sunday is ear cleaning day) with a cleaning solution from the Vet. I am also very careful not to get water in his ears and if I do, we use the cleaning solution and a hair dryer to dry the inside of the ear. |
| I keep on top of the ears from way back when I had a mixed breed (cockapoo) who had terrible ear problems. I keep a bottle or 2 of Zymox on hand. The other week I happened to take a look at one of the boy's ears the night before a vet appt. & they were a bit yucky looking. Cleaned them out & put a few drops of this in each ear once a day & they were cleared up in just a few days. The trick tho' is to continue to use it for 1 week, off 1 week & then on 1 more week to really kick it. Also no other cleaning solutions while using it. You may ask you vet for a bottle of it to try. |
Tasker's Mom wrote: Tasker (13 yrs old) has had chronic ear infections all his life. We average 5 a year and rarely went more than 8 weeks with one. A couple years ago the Vet suggested that we have a deep cleaning of his ears done under anesthesia. Because of his age I declined.
Last December he needed to be anesthetized for another reason so I told the vet to clean his ears as well. He has not had an ear infection since!!! A couple of suggestions... Has the Vet cultered the infection? That may be a very important step in identifying the cause. OHH, just read your post again and you have had that done. Have they ruled out yeast? Also, we do a very deep cleaning every week (Sunday is ear cleaning day) with a cleaning solution from the Vet. I am also very careful not to get water in his ears and if I do, we use the cleaning solution and a hair dryer to dry the inside of the ear. That's the most frustrating part about it. It's bacterial but not yeast. That's been ruled out. I've used Gentomyecin ( sp ) and other antibiotic drops in his ear faithfully and also clean all three of our pups ears every other week. We use Novasan Otic and dry them well also. The only other thing I can think of is Bear ( our Bouvier rescue ) loves to lay beside him and lick his one ear. We have tried to break his habit but I'm afraid he tends to do it when we are both at work. That's the only thing I can think of that may be making it linger. If you have any ideas to make Bear stop doing that please let me know. Thanks for the post! Jim |
Jim and Kim in Mi wrote: That's the most frustrating part about it. It's bacterial but not yeast. That's been ruled out.
Jim Jim: The Zymox I mentioned contains Hydrocortisone along with 3 active enzymes that have been tested to be antibacterial, antifungal & antiviral. |
ChSheepdogs wrote: I keep on top of the ears from way back when I had a mixed breed (cockapoo) who had terrible ear problems. I keep a bottle or 2 of Zymox on hand. The other week I happened to take a look at one of the boy's ears the night before a vet appt. & they were a bit yucky looking. Cleaned them out & put a few drops of this in each ear once a day & they were cleared up in just a few days. The trick tho' is to continue to use it for 1 week, off 1 week & then on 1 more week to really kick it. Also no other cleaning solutions while using it. You may ask you vet for a bottle of it to try.
I've never used Zymox before. I'll have to ask our vet for a bottle. I've tried to keep on top of his ears, but this infection has been on going for about 5 months now. The other problem that may be causing this to perpetuate is our Bouvier rescue Bear. He has a tendency to lay beside Gully and lick the bad ear. He won't do it when my wife and I are home, but I have walked in and foud Gullys ear wet from slobber. If you have any suggestions on how to stop this please let me know. Thanks much for your post. Jim |
ChSheepdogs wrote: Jim and Kim in Mi wrote: That's the most frustrating part about it. It's bacterial but not yeast. That's been ruled out. Jim Jim: The Zymox I mentioned contains Hydrocortisone along with 3 active enzymes that have been tested to be antibacterial, antifungal & antiviral. I'll hit the vets after work tomorrow and get a bottle. You know it's funny, both Obe ( our other sheepie, and Bear our Bouvie rescue ) have never had an ear infection. I can't figure out why Gulliver gets them so easily, and only in his left ear. Poor kid! |
| Jim: Just make sure you follow the instuctions on the bottle. I know it is hard not to want to "clean out" the ears everyday but when using the Zymox I just lightly use a q-tip once a day to get out any "gunk" & then apply more of the Zymox. I thought maybe "ear washing" by my older girl was part of the problem on & off for years with Isaac. But since she's been gone 9 months now he still has problems but not nearly as often. So it probably does add to the problem but most likely isn't the entire cause. Clean the ears really good the first time before you add the 1st dose of the Zymox. Hope you see some improvement. |
ChSheepdogs wrote: Jim: Just make sure you follow the instuctions on the bottle.
Thanks again! I'll try the Zymox and the rest of your suggestions. Gully has been miserable and I just want to knock this infection out. |
| i had to change einys diet
he can only have chicken and rice dry foods preferabley all natural and only selected natural treats his ears clear right up zoe |
| Zoe brings up a good point, it could be related to allergies, you might want to ask your Vet.
There are many different ear cleaners you can get from the Vet, it may be trial and error. We use Malacetic Otic once a week to throughly clean the ear, my Vet told me to use a paper towel wrapped around my finger not Q-tips, as in people Q-tips could cause a problem. But some people do use them. I always have otomax on hand and when I clean the ear if ANY of the dark yuck comes out (you know the difference in regular ear gunk and the dark stuff) I put a few drops in. I also use a few drops after every bath. One thing we have done the last few years that is different is once he has an ear infection and we have started the drops we don't clean the ear again til the end of the course of antibiotics. The Vet originally had us cleaning and dropping every day and then changed it to one good cleaning when we started the drops and then in 10 days. I don't know why but that seems to work much better. Are you also giving a systemic anitibiotic? When Tasker has a really bad infection it never clears up without pills as well. If the ear canal is badly swollen we also give him a course of prednisone. Good luck, ear infections can be very frustrating. When Tasker was young, before I had gotten used to the frequent ear infections, he got one that was so bad he shook his head hard enough to cause a hematoma on his ear the size of a football, HONEST. It required surgery and he had to have the inside of the ear flap stitched open to allow healing from the inside out. Ever since I have been fanatical about treating his ears. |
| Thanks again for all of your wonderful posts! Poor Tasker! Ouch.
Novasan Otic works great for my other two, but not for Gulliver. That's something else I'm going to talk to my vet about along with diet and antibiotics. Pred also. (I do know the difference between the nasty ear gunk and the normal stuff.) I grew up with sheepies and these boys are my second and third ones. Boo Boo Bear ( or Prince Pig Pen as we lovingly call him) is a Bouvier des Flanders rescue. He's my first for that breed. We also do our own grooming and have all the equipment except a table built for the purpose, plus have a fenced in half acre so the boys can get plenty of excersize. I'm wondering about our vet. He's run two Histos to identify the infection but has yet to give me the proper treatment for his ear. ( Or maybe it would be better to say that Gullys ear has not cleared up yet.) Gulliver has been on a systemic antibiotic, Pred, and various ear drops. Perhaps diet does play into this. I'll check it out on my way into work. Thanks again everyone! Jim |
| Hi! Sorry I have no advice, just wanted to welcome you since we live pretty close to each other, I'm in Shelby Twp. |
| Hi all,
Thanks for the wonderful welcome and advice. Gully has been on a new course of antibiotics, Pred, and Zymox ( thanks again for that one! ) He seems to be feeling better and is shaking his head less. It's only been a couple of days so we'll see what happens this time around. I did talk to the vet about diet change. All three of the pups are on an Iams lamb and rice dry food diet. No wet food. If the infection does not clear up this time I will try something different for Gully. Our vet does think this could be a possibility. Time will tell. Again thanks much for all the helpful suggestions! Jim |
| To keep the Bouvs tongue out can you put something stinky around the ear? Bitter apple is one though, Bag Balm, Vicks Vapor Rub.....anything to discourage the "helper" ...."Here, let me help clean your ear..." |
SheepieBoss wrote: To keep the Bouvs tongue out can you put something stinky around the ear? Bitter apple is one though, Bag Balm, Vicks Vapor Rub.....anything to discourage the "helper" ...."Here, let me help clean your ear..."
You read my mind. I picked up some bitter apple yesterday and it seems to be working. (Chuckle). I'm thinking he hates the taste. |
Don't get too excited. I have found they develope a tolerance for bitter apple and after a time even ENJOY the taste  |
| mt einy can't eat lamb it makes his ears worse and other such things
as i said he can only manage chicken and chicken treats i would try the diet as soon as this infection is cleared up zoe |
Tasker's Mom wrote: Don't get too excited. I have found they develope a tolerance for bitter apple and after a time even ENJOY the taste
Oh good lord. I sure hope not! I'm not sure what I would use if that becomes the case.  |
Einstein wrote: mt einy can't eat lamb it makes his ears worse and other such things
as i said he can only manage chicken and chicken treats i would try the diet as soon as this infection is cleared up zoe Thanks Zoe. A diet change will probably be in the future. I just hope Gully tolerates it. He's been on the Iams lamb and rice for years. We'll see how it goes. Thanks much! Jim |
| Hey Jim,
Where in Troy are you guys? We're always looking for other OES (plus a Bouvier) to play with. Right now we're one OES and one Komondor but we have a new OES puppy coming in two weeks. We're right in Ferndale and a quick jaunt down 75 from Troy. Well, not exactly quick with all the construction but you know what I mean! Jill |
ButtersStotch wrote: Hey Jim,
Where in Troy are you guys? We're always looking for other OES (plus a Bouvier) to play with. Right now we're one OES and one Komondor but we have a new OES puppy coming in two weeks. We're right in Ferndale and a quick jaunt down 75 from Troy. Well, not exactly quick with all the construction but you know what I mean! Jill Hi Jill! We live on 15 mile between John R and Dequindre. Not far from the Oakland Mall. Close to Ferndale for sure, but not to quick with the construction.  The Michigan state symbol.......The construction barrel.  |
Jim and Kim in Mi wrote: The Michigan state symbol.......The construction barrel. OH no you don't! Those orange barrels are the state symbol of OHIO!!!! |
ChSheepdogs wrote: Jim and Kim in Mi wrote: The Michigan state symbol.......The construction barrel. OH no you don't! Those orange barrels are the state symbol of OHIO!!!! Can we share? |
| Well it's been 5 days since Gulliver has been on new meds for his ear. Everything seems to be much better. His ear smells and looks SO much better. Plus the itching seems to be well under control. The bitter apple is still working too.
I have a happy happy puppy again! Thanks one and all for all your great suggestions. I am going to talk to the vet again about diet change ( Zoe ). The Zymox is GREAT ( CHSheepdogs, Marilyn? )! Taskers mom ( Ginny? ) thank you also. Hopefully this time it will clear up once and for all! Thanks again one and all! Jim |
Quote: Yah know........it IS pretty bad when a breeder can give me both instruction AND the proper meds ( plus everyone elses suggestions ), but my family vet can't. Not real confidence inspiring. I may be looking for another vet soon. Thanks again one and all. Jim Buttersstotch wrote: Nah, long time breeders know their stuff and probably know more than a lot of vets, especially when it comes to their own breeds. Which vet do you use? I have an excellent vet in Ferndale that I'd be happy to refer you to if you're in the market to switch. One practice I wouldn't recommend in your area is the Madison Veterinary Hospital. I have several reasons but, the fairest one to share in a public forum, is that they are really expensive and, honestly, the level of service and expertise isn't on par with what they charge.[/quote="Buttersstotch"] Anyhow we go to Maple Veterinary. They are right around the corner from us just off Dequindre. I don't like to complain, but they do charge an arm and a leg. Plus they didn't get it right with Gully 4 times @ over a hundred a pop. Not cheap. ChSheepdogs hit it first time. You are probably correct with the long time breeder comment, but I was real adament about the Zymox. The vet told me Zymox was not the best thing for his ear. I ended up arguing with her. Kinda pi@@ed me off. She backed off only after I told her the suggestion came from a breeder. I don't like to argue with a vet. I had a much more serious problem with one when we used to live in Rochester, Mi. My old sheepie Farley had cataracts. As he was going blind and was only 9 at the time I wanted to improve his quality of life. This vet was recommended to me for the surgery as being one of the "best' around. He sure was the most expensive at the time 1996. To make a long story shorter, he refused to do the eye that had less sight, did the one Farley could see out of, and screwed up the operation. He admitted to me that he had ripped Farleys cornea when he took the cataract off. When he put the lens implant in, one of the fine wires stuck out through the tear. Instead of taking the implant out and repositioning it, or leaving it out completely he rotated it 45 degrees while it was still in his eye. I put the meds in his eye as directed and the result was this: Two days later, I had to rush Farley back to him. His eye was bulging out of his head like someone had shoved a golf ball in back of it and was in terrible pain. He lost the eye. It had to be enuculated and a prosthesis put in. In short he blinded my dog, and only by a miracle did Farley survive the resulting infection, and massive pain brought on by this quack. He was there for almost two weeks recovering. My wife found out later from a local OES breeder that this fool had done it to several Sheepdogs and had a couple of lawsuits against him. I had to consult an animal rights attorney as this guy sent Farleys bill to collection after I refused to pay him the remainder of it. He dropped the collection efforts after the attorney spoke to him. I only wish I had all of the info on the lawsuits because I gladly would have gone in on a class action and done my level best to have his license stripped. Farley died a year later. I firmly believe he died because of the pain and trama this guy put him through. I miss him to this day. Anyway that's why I get real angry when a vet argues with me. I don't claim to know it all, but when I get info....good info...on one of my pups health issues, from a breeder......DO NOT ARGUE with me. I love my dogs with all my heart. As does my wife and daughter. They are members of my family.....Not just "pets". Anyway enough of the rant and rave. Jill if you know of a good vet, either post or pm me. I had a real good one but he moved his practice up to Oxford and that's a ways to go for us. Thanks. Jim |
| Hi gang. Sorry it's been so long since I posted, but I started a new job end of August and it's been hectic.
I wanted to thank everyone for all their great suggestions about Gullivers ear infection. It cleared up and hasn't come back since. He's a happy comfy pup again. Also sorry for the rant about the vet. It's been years but I still get mad when I think about it.
I hope everybodys Thanksgiving was wonderful, and thanks again for all the wonderful suggestions. |
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