Ask Your Dog Question. Dog Experts Answer You ASAP.

(Not a Dog Question?)

my 8 yr old lab dog has a chronic ear infection.

Sent to Dog Experts November 28 10:14 AM

my 8 yr old lab dog has a chronic ear infection. Repeated uses of steroids,antibiotics are not helping.Rinses, creams and ear mite meds not helping. What should I do?

Optional Information:
Age: 8; Male; Breed: lab retriever mix

Already Tried:
panalog steroids antibiotics creams yeast meds ear mite meds vinegar/water douche oils ointments

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $5
Answer
November 28 10:23 AM (9 minutes and 25 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Many times dogs with chronic ear infections have allergies that help fuel the problem. This can be sensitivities to food ingredients as well as environmental things such as pollen, house mites, fleas etc. Has your vet suggested an elimination diet or allergy testing? The test can guide food choices as well as set up a treatment regimen for hyposensitization therapy. Your dog should also be checked for hypothyroidism which is not uncommon in labs and can be an underlying cause of the ear problems. Have you added any supplements for skin support? Fish oil, digestive enzymes, probiotics and antioxidant vitamins and minerals may help.

Holistic Wellness Care
Andrea J Cecur DVM -- Veterinarian -- 100% Positive Feedback on 25 Dog Accepts
18+yrs veterinary experience in small animal medicine
Reply
November 28 11:40 AM (1 hour and 17 minutes and 15 seconds later)
         
I have done the food allergy thing and while finding no direct allergies have discontinued commercial pet foods and grains and now feed raw diet. With some fish oil supplements and acidolphilus. Treated for years for yeast infections, ear mites,treated living area as well to no avail. Now he has a severe eye infection where blisters or wart like bumps around eye start then open and are raw. Treated with antibiotics and creams, as well as natural oatmeal paste and cocoa butter.
This dog needs help and I have paid over 3000 dollars to vet/s and no solutions except medicate medicate medicate which I know has weakened if not destroyed his immune system with over medicating of antibiotics,steroids,vaccinations and pesticides.have 2 other dogs from same litter, both chronic ear infections and 1 chronic skin problems.No fleas found.All treated same by vets, all overmedicated over vaccinated all commercial pet food till recently. All in poor health.

Edited by Customer (name blocked for privacy) on November 28 2005 at 11:46 AM
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Reply
November 28 11:54 AM (13 minutes and 28 seconds later)
         
Reply to Dr Andrea's Post: have done food allergy thing,while finding no direct allergies have recently stopped commercial pet food and started raw diet cutting out any grain products. Has been treated for years for yeast and mite infections by vets who did no tests, just prescribe antibiotics and steroids and pain pills. When tests were done just prescribed antibiotics, steroids and pain pills. Infection clear up for week or two then worse than before. Now has eye infection, raw blisters/wart like abbrasions that eat away at skin around eye and becomes raw and nasty. Treated w/ panalog cream,eye ointments(by vet),oatmeal pastes and natural creams(self).
Nothing is working and ear infection worse than ever. I have spent over 3,ooo dollars in seeking vet treatment for this dog to no avail. Have 2 other dogs from same litter both with chronic ear and skin problems. Supplement with fish oil and acidolpholus and nothing. I know years of vets medicate medicate medicate theory has broken down immune systems and i dont know what to do.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
November 28 1:46 PM (1 hour and 52 minutes and 10 seconds later)
         
THIS ANSWER IS LOCKED!
You can view this answer by clicking here to Register or Login and paying $3.
Andrea J Cecur DVM -- Veterinarian -- 100% Positive Feedback on 25 Dog Accepts
18+yrs veterinary experience in small animal medicine
Think you can answer this question?
Login or Become an Expert

Related Answers

 

DISCLAIMER: You acknowledge that any information you may obtain from individuals you contact through use of the JustAnswer service comes from those individuals, not from JustAnswer, and that JustAnswer is not in any way responsible for any of the information these third parties may supply. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty and no representations are made regarding the qualification of an Expert. Responses and comments on JustAnswer are for general information and are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (such as medical, legal, investment or accounting) and do not establish a professional-client relationship. JustAnswer is not intended or designed to address EMERGENCY QUESTIONS which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals. Please carefully read the Terms of Service.

JustAnswer > Dog Breed Info and Canine Health Care