Potential ear cleaning, or trip to the vet?

Roscosmom · 08-27-2008, 11:33 AM

Since last night Rosco has been running around shaking his head and scratching at his ear (not constantly,but often).
It happened suddenly- we were playing ball in the evening then he suddenly flipped out over his ear. I've looked in it and see nothing. I gently swapped (not deep!) with a q-tip, stuck my finger in it which made him start thumping his back leg to scratch. I just called the vet and made an appointment which is going to set me back 45 bucks when it may just need a cleaning...? They look clean to the naked eye. Is there some sort of ear flush I can try instead? (I'm kinda broke right now!)

Patt · 08-27-2008, 12:11 PM

Scratching the ear like you describe sounds like there is something down deep in the ear. Only way to find out is see your vet. Please give us an update when you can.

squirmyworm · 08-27-2008, 01:29 PM

I'd say see your vet before trying any ear cleaning solutions. There may be a foreign body that has entered the ear, or perhaps a type of infection. Ear cleaning solutions can cover up the symptoms of such an infection, but by no means do they function as a cure. I'm also not 100% sure that a simple ear cleaning, done at home, would remove a foreign body, and if something gets stuck in there it will cause an infection...I'd rather spend the money to get them checked out thoroughly by a vet than risk greater problems down the road.

If it's an infection, I doubt it will cost too much. My Mesquite has a yeast infection in her ears, and the ear drops the vet prescribed cost around $20. Not too bad

Good luck!

Roscosmom · 08-27-2008, 02:24 PM

mmkay, I'll keep his 3:30 appointment then. I was thinking it might be a possible ear infection,too. Just kinda weird how it came on suddenly, while we were outside even. Makes me think some evil bug is making himself a home in my babys ear. The nerve!

aero4ever · 08-27-2008, 02:47 PM

My dog was out in the woods and when he came back he was shaking his head a lot. I couldn't see anything, but he kept doing it so I took him to the vet. He ended up having a grass seed in his ear (go figure).

Good luck at the vet!

chrisb · 08-27-2008, 02:51 PM

Sounds like an ear infection. I'd see the vet just to play it safe. And hey maybe your vet will give you the ear medication for free. When Shelby had a double ear infection our vet didn't charge us for the medication, just for check up.

chris

Roscosmom · 08-27-2008, 03:03 PM

Yeah, I'm not hesitant to take him anymore. At first I was feeling cheap and like I was jumping the gun, and maybe he was okay. But he's been sound asleep (as usual) since our morning walk and just woke up for a few while I was doing my hair and it seemed to be really bothering him. If I could take him right this second, I would. I also noticed that the right ear (the culprit) feels a bit warmer than the left side. Tick tock..hurry up,time!

105.00 later= ear infection. Poor kid.

Patt · 08-27-2008, 05:22 PM

Look at it this way..... It would have cost you a lot more had you ignored this problem and the infection got worse.

I'm glad you got him into the vets when you did. Sending many positive thoughts his ear will heal quickly. BTW you are a good mom!

Roscosmom · 08-27-2008, 07:57 PM

Thanks

I feel a little bad that it happened at all, I usually like to place the blame for any and everything that goes wrong squarely on my shoulders. I asked how it happened so suddenly and he explained and said they can come on rather quickly.
Overall (touch wood) this is the first time he's ever been a sicky. you'd have never known if you saw how hyper he was at the vets. LOL. As we walked in he was jumping up on the glass door- I can just imagine the view from where the receptionist sat. My daughter and I joked that he MUST be in pain if he's clammering to get IN to the vet office
"ow,my ear, please help my freakin' EAR!!"

awww

alphadoginthehouse · 08-27-2008, 11:22 PM

I'm glad he's going to get better...he'll be so much happier. I don't go for everything that happens; I just seem to know which ones are the real deal.

Hugs and kisses going his way from crew!

Roscosmom · 08-28-2008, 08:47 AM

Thanks. I'm not one to rush for every little thing either. I knew it must be serious when my older dog Harlie seemed concerned and started sniffing/licking his ear. She usually avoids him like the plague (which is nearly impossible since he's all over her all the time.) She knows she loves him...she knows. She's just a tough nut to crack