chronic ear infections? allergies? or what??

**Freedom** · 03-26-2014, 08:07 AM

Welcome to Pet Talk!

I'm sorry that you and Melinda are going through this. Constant ear infections are no fun. Thank you for working so hard to try and mend things for her.

My cat Bobby had the allergy test and I gave him the shots here at home for a year. After that he seemed fine. It's now bee 6 years with no recurrence. But he was scratching all over his body, till he bled, not ear infections.

Is there some way to do prevention? I had a dog who constantly developed ear infections. I used OtiClens three times a week for the 6 years she lived with me (Lacey was a rescue) and that solved the problem. We never did sort out what exactly was the underlying cause. Might this sort of thing be of help for Melinda? The fact that the convenia brings relief suggests she gets a bacterial infection (not a yeast infection) so this may guide you / your vet as to which sort of ear cleaner to use.

**MindyAndSam** · 03-26-2014, 01:48 PM

Thanks, all of you, for your comments. I really appreciate it. I feed them canned food, chicken and/or turkey only. I do know there is a fish allergy because I brought home fish food one time as a treat (prior to the allergy test or diet) and she went berserk. So I am very strict now about sticking to chicken and turkey. During the allergy test diet, I fed duck only. The vet said when we stop the duck, if Melinda doesn't flare up, then her regular food isn't likely the culprit. And there was no change when we went back to their regular food.

One interesting thing has happened the last couple days. She pee'd in my bed, and I am keeping her out of my bedroom until I get the mattress cleaned and dried. I could be imagining it, but it seems like her symptoms are better since that happened. My mattress is pretty old, so I'm getting a waterproof / hypoallergenic mattress pad and see if it helps.

Well, I think you've convinced me to go back to the allergist. It's just that I was losing hope. I'm confused about one thing: are there allergy injections that are different from the desensitization shots I'm giving her? What I'm giving her are antigens that are supposed to desensitize her to the substances that she tested positive for.

**Freedom** · 03-26-2014, 04:21 PM

That is the same sort of shots I gave my Bobby. The antigens for the things he tested positive for allergies.

VERY interesting about the mattress (not that she peed on it, but that having no access to it has made her better).

Are you getting a new one? Because it is all but impossible to remove the smell from upholstered furniture, mattresses, and so on. And if a pet can smell urine, they WILL pee there.

I have a full size bed. I went to WalMart and bought a water proof mattress cover, it was about $25, and I keep that on beneath the sheets etc. It has a plastic backing. I actually put a padded mattress cover on top of it because I was not liking the feel of it. Anyway that has save me a ton of money with all the pets I've had through here. I found that size also fits my sofa, so I have one on underneath the slip cover.

**Karen** · 03-26-2014, 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by MindyAndSam

Well, I think you've convinced me to go back to the allergist. It's just that I was losing hope. I'm confused about one thing: are there allergy injections that are different from the desensitization shots I'm giving her? What I'm giving her are antigens that are supposed to desensitize her to the substances that she tested positive for.

Allergy shots for humans can be a long-term thing, as in years, so one round of shots will not make much of a difference. My sister did 15 years of allergy shots and actually got rid of her tree and grass pollen allergies. Sadly, it didn't get rid of her cat and dog allergies - didn't even make a dent in those. But don't worry, she is still planning on adopting a dog when she retires!

**Jessika** · 03-26-2014, 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by Karen

Allergy shots for humans can be a long-term thing, as in years, so one round of shots will not make much of a difference. My sister did 15 years of allergy shots and actually got rid of her tree and grass pollen allergies. Sadly, it didn't get rid of her cat and dog allergies - didn't even make a dent in those. But don't worry, she is still planning on adopting a dog when she retires!

Yup. We have some pets that been coming in for allergy injections for years. Some are once weekly, some are once monthly, some are once every two weeks... just depends on what works for them. You won't have a series of injections and then that's it; as stated, it can be a very long-term thing.

**MindyAndSam** · 03-27-2014, 03:15 PM

Okay, I get it. I thought that if this didn't work, then it was off to find the next possible solution. I didn't know it may have to be repeated for awhile. We're nearing the end of this treatment, so we'll be seeing the allergist and looking for a second job!! Thanks for the clarifications.

**Karen** · 03-27-2014, 03:57 PM

Originally Posted by MindyAndSam

Okay, I get it. I thought that if this didn't work, then it was off to find the next possible solution. I didn't know it may have to be repeated for awhile. We're nearing the end of this treatment, so we'll be seeing the allergist and looking for a second job!! Thanks for the clarifications.

You're welcome! Good luck with this and keep us posted!