[c-parrish]

My dog Casey recovered from some crazy allergic reaction following a tick bite that I posted about over a month ago, and possibly some other infection that caused the allergy. She was treated with Benadryl, doxycycline, and another antibiotic for a possible staph infection.

Within a week of completing all meds I noticed that her ear was starting the look a bit gunky. Only one ear. I started cleaning it with her regular ear cleaner, but it escalated. I am now doing a natural herbal ear oil after thoroughly cleaning the ear with 50/50 ACV and water once a day. This, by all means, has been known to treat mites and yeast and work well for general cleanings. What I'm not sure of is exactly what the problem is, or why it occurred beyond her having a lowered immune system. I am doubting mites and have never seen a yeast infection before.

The inner side of the ear flap is somewhat scaly/bumpy feeling, the entire inside of the ear is red, and the gunky part of the ear is strange looking. It's a pale-medium brownish orange (like excess wax) but peels off in flakes kind of like thin scabs. There is no bleeding. Does this sound like anything in particular?

The ear seems to be slightly alleviated (drops to a lighter pink color) when I finish the present treatment, but I only just started it yesterday. I figure I will give it a week to see if there is any progress before going to the vet (her last two visits totalled $500), but I want to know if this sounds like something specific or sends up a HUGE red flag to anyone with experience with ear problems.

I'm just so frustrated with this dog this year. It's a good thing I love her so much.

 

[cshellenberger]

Honestly I wouldn't wait, it'll be cheaper to treat which ever problem if the vet gets it early.

 

[Cracker]

Yeast infections are smelly...smelly smelly and the gunk is often "creamy", not scaly.
You haven't mentioned a smell.
You can't be sure about mites without a smear and micro exam.

I realize the dog has had a lot of health issues, this is why it is important to have it looked at and then discuss with the vet about boosting her immune system. The antibiotics she was on may have upset her "yeast balance"...if so probiotics added to her diet may help. But you really should have her seen.

 

[c-parrish]

Okay, when I went to do day three of this treatment last night there was VAST improvement, wheareas the ear would be just as bad the next day after a plain cleaning. The red was almost down to a normal pink, and the scab-like pieces were very intermittent. I think I'm continuing the treatment.


I had her on probiotics for that entire run of antibiotics, plus a week following that. Part of her problem for the immune system was that we had been having issues balancing her weight (one of the foods didn't work as well for her one month). She has since put weight back on and is looking much better. My work finally just got in a good supplemental raw diet, and I am going to start her on 3-8 oz of that per day. I had been expecting this product since before she had the first problem, and now I can commit to it.


The problem with taking her to the vet right now is that her last two visits were unexpected after I had already scheduled a surgery for myself. I just had that surgery done last week, and most of its cost is on my now maxed out Care Credit Card (what I'd normally use for vet bills that cannot immediately be paid). While this will be paid off rather quickly and I am by no means poor, I cannot afford to take her to the vet again right now. I can make it work after my paycheck goes through (monday or tuesday at the earliest), but right now things are too tight to see her holistic vet (non-emergency) which I'd prefer for recovering from this barrage of ailments.

 

[c-parrish]

Day 4: Wow. Went to do the treatment again, and there were virtually no scabby pieces, very little gunk (it was only deeper in the ear instead of throughout the whole thing), and almost the entire ear was back to normal color.

Her head shakes have dramatically reduced, and right now she is enjoying her Monster sized "Antlerz" in the living room. I think I have fallen in love with Apple Cider Vinegar, no matter how much it reeks. It has really done the trick for this ear thing. Thinking about adding it to her water, as I've heard this can be benficial.

We start supplemental raw in two days. Hopefully this will help her overall health.

 

[Xie]

Ear infections can be mites, yeast, or bacteria. The only way to know for sure is to examine it under a microscope.

Mites they get from being around another dog with mites and to tell the truth is pretty uncommon, usually it's a yeast or bacterial infection. Sometimes a combination of both of them.

Ear infections in dogs can be a sign of an allergy, usually a food allergy. You mentioned changing her food recently, was it something that she has been on before? If not I'd suspect that or a delayed reaction to the last allergic reaction that she had. Even if it is an allergic reaction the treatment would remain the same as for any other yeast or bacterial infection. The difference would be that you will get recurrent ear infections if the allergen is not removed.

 

[c-parrish]

Yes, Casey's food was changed about a week before the first allergic reaction, which involved major edema in the face. The previous food she was on for about a month and we seemed to be having issues balancing her intake- Too little and she'd get hypoglycemia related vomiting. Too much and she'd get diarrhea. Either way, she couldn't maintain weight on it, so she is off of that one. But there were no red flag ingredients to me. She has been on many different foods looking for one that works well all around, so she has been exposed too many different proteins and carbs. Some formulations just don't jive though.

Current food is working well, and she now gets 3-4 oz of a blended raw (Raw Advantage "Rock Island Raw") twice a day in addition. Her weight is back up, and she just needs a pound or two more to be ideal. I might gradually work up the raw percentage, but I don't know if I'll ever be able to afford 100% raw.

Anyways, she is looking pretty good right now. I'll keep treating until it is gone for a few days, then see if it returns. If so, a vet visit will be necessary.