Ear infection

[wendalah]

My poodle had a red, oozy inflamed ear this week--he kept scratching it and wildly shaking his head. Otherwise acting normal--normal energy and appetite.

I cannot get to the vet before Saturday due to scheduling issues. However, I cleaned his ear with peroxide and used some Tri-Otic drops that our other dog was prescribed a few months ago.

The drops seemed to make him feel a lot better. He is no longer scratching his ear or shaking his head. The ear is still a little reddish, but much improved. What is worrying me is when I clean his ear I'm getting little dried crusties instead of ooze. Does this mean he's healing? Or should I be freaking out? Is it OK to have used the Tri-Otic on him?

[WestieMomma]

I'm sure it's okay to give him the ear drops. Maybe give him a Benadryl too-that may help some.

[wendalah]

A "people" benadryl? Is that OK to give him?

[maxandmolly]

Yes. My vet told me I could give an adult dose to my dog, who was around 35 pounds at the time.

[jnettie]

Well, if you're getting crusties instead of ooze, I'd say that's good. My kitty Sissy had an ear infection with ooze and it took way more than drops and cleaning. I had to give her anti-biotics 3 times a day! She was so stressed out at the end of a month of all this (anti-biotics for 2 weeks, but 2 weeks prior of eardrops and cleanings 3 times a day.)

[tlew12778]

Crusties can be mites or other mite-type bugs in the ears. One of my cats had that (it looked like scabs and he kept scratching till they were raw) and the vet gave us some anti-micosis medicine.

[kemorr]

You should be careful giving your pet medications not specifically prescribed for your pet at that specific time. Particularly anything that has to be put in the ear. There is a membrane at the end of the ear canal (the tympanic membrane or ear drum) that basically prevents anything from the external ear canal entering the middle or inner ear. In really bad ear infections, this ear drum can be ruptured, which means that any medication that you put in the ear canal has direct access to the middle and inner ear. Many medications used in combination ear drops, such as Tri Otic, are toxic to the inner and middle ears and can cause deafness and neurologic problems (vestibular disease). This is why a vet always looks down your pet's ears to make sure the ear drum is intact before prescribing these potentially dangerous medications.

I'm sure your dog will be OK, but it is something that you should remember for future and realise that medicines aren't always safe and are "prescription only" for a reason.

[linekelei]

I'd take him to the vet when you get a chance. Our poodles have allergies and often get ear infections due to the allergies. We have an ear cleaning liquid to put in and wipe out once a week (every other day when they have an actual ear infection), and a prescription for some greasy antibiotic ointment that clears up the ear infection. Do his ears smell a little funny? Besides the crazy itching and running up and down the hall with their heads in the carpet, I can normally tell they have ear infections by the smell. It's not a terrible smell, but it's distinct (almost kind of sweet & musty, at the same time). Are the dried crusties black or grayish? That's normally the color when have ear infections.

[Kopper]

My dog is very prone to ear infections. We have a special rinse too that we use once a week. When she has an infection we use it every other day. I can't tell you how many times we have had to go to the vet for ear infections. They usually flush the ears out and and then we have to give her drops for a few weeks.

linekelei - My dog's ears stink when she has an infection too...

[~Lucy]

My dog is just getting over an ear infection. The vet gave us some ear cleaning solution and a tube of cream to use twice daily. They said you can buy ear cleaning solution at PetSmart or Petco. You can also use a solution of peroxide and white vinegar mixed half and half. (Per our vet.)

We cleaned lots of crusties out of Buka's ears. There wasn't any ooze at all.

[wendalah]

Update: the vet said he's OK--I got some ear cleaning solution too--thanks for all the replies!