ear infections

[lv4dogs]

Have you asked your vet if there is a stronger antibiotic that she can be on or even a longer dose of the meds? Since it re-occurs so soon after it clears up it makes me wonder if the meds didn't get all of the infection out.

What food is she on? Raustyk had ear infection after ear infection (or at least she would if I was not so diligent at keeping them clean). She was on a good food but for other reasons as it was unkown that the food may have caused it I switched her to Nutro & no ear problems since. I used to have to clean her ears out every 2-3 days & she'd still get infections sometimes now she can go months without cleaning before they even start to get dirty.

How is her hair around her ears? If she has a lot of hair maybe try cutting some of it away to help the air get in her ears more. If she has a lot of hair that may help the infection grow.

[pnance]

Thanks lizbud I'll see what I find.

lv4dogs she gets fed Canidae. I'd thought about food before but we've had her for about 4 years now and doesn't matter what food she's on she gets them. She's short haired so no extra fur around the ears. In fact her ear shape is probably similar to Raustyk, maybe slightly smaller. We're at the point now the vet pretty much just refills our otimax(sp??) perscription w/o having her come in and lets us dose as needed. We've tried longer and shorter times and doesn't seem to help. I hadn't discussed another antibiotic though, I just assumed that was the strongest one. I'll give the vet a call, but do you have any suggestions on a stronger one?

[lv4dogs]

Thanks lizbud I'll see what I find.

lv4dogs she gets fed Canidae. I'd thought about food before but we've had her for about 4 years now and doesn't matter what food she's on she gets them. She's short haired so no extra fur around the ears. In fact her ear shape is probably similar to Raustyk, maybe slightly smaller. We're at the point now the vet pretty much just refills our otimax(sp??) perscription w/o having her come in and lets us dose as needed. We've tried longer and shorter times and doesn't seem to help. I hadn't discussed another antibiotic though, I just assumed that was the strongest one. I'll give the vet a call, but do you have any suggestions on a stronger one?

I wish I did, but after 5 years of not working at a vets office my memory has failed me some, not to mention I am sure times have changed & there are new products available. lol Have you tried giving her an oral antibiotic along with the ointment? Maybe she just needs a boost? Or even a different type of ear antibiotic, I know the vets I used to work at had a majic ear potion, it was tresiderm mixed with Conofite and it worked wonders on puzzeling ear problems. I can't remember the percentage of what to what but your vet should be able to find that out. If not I can call my old vet & ask them for you if your vet thinks it is worth a shot.

[.sarah]

Have you tried her on an allergy formula of food? Mandy and Nova had the same problems until we switched them to Natural Balance Sweet Potato and Fish.

Mometomax is slightly stronger than Otomax. That's the only one I know of. Animax I believe is the same strength, but I could be wrong. Mometomax is once daily vs. twice daily on Otomax.

[pnance]

lv4dogs and .sarah I'll mention those to the vet and see what she says. I'm guessing I'll have to take her back in for and exam since our old vet just moved back to Colorado, so I have to start fresh with one of the others in that office, but that's not a big deal since all the records are still there.

.sarah I've actually fed that food before, it gave 2 of mine really bad gas and their coats started to thin so I switched them. Mandy and Nova don't have any problems?

[dab_20]

Well I've got a cocker spaniel, and used to have another one, and they always get ear infections. You do pretty much what I do, so I can't be much help. I hope you get this figured out so your pup can feel better!

[.sarah]

.sarah I've actually fed that food before, it gave 2 of mine really bad gas and their coats started to thin so I switched them. Mandy and Nova don't have any problems?

No, they do wonderfully on it ... although I'm going to try switching them to raw food I think.

[labmomma]

One of my 2 rescued labs, Sam, is presently being treated for an ear infection. I'm irrigating and cleaning the ear canal one/day with Epi-Otic and wiping clean with a cotton cosmetic pad. Also am applying Ottomax twice/day and giving Keflex 3X and Prednisone 1X. This may appear to be overkill but he has to have surgery in 9 days for a congenital eye defect and they want everything cleared up by then. My vet said to use the Epi-Otic no more than 7 days in a row and once the infection is cleared up to routinely clean the ears. I plan on starting a maintenance program with my other Lab, Hokie. Good Luck