Dont know what to do anymore...

My cocker spaniel has always had the worst ears, but now they just wont clear up. I dont know what to do. They get a little better and then within a week he is suffering again. This has been going on for over a year. Any have any suggestions or advice? Sarge is only 3 and I can't imagine him having to suffer like this the rest of his life.

Re: Dont know what to do anymore...

have you gone to another vet to see if they prescribe him something different?

Re: Dont know what to do anymore...

I went to another one that my groomer recommended but he just alternated the stuff he had already been on. He responds to the treatments, its just that it never 100% clears up and if it does, the infection comes right back.

Re: Dont know what to do anymore...

Re: Dont know what to do anymore...

TY so much! I'm so sad for him. I love my boy.

ETA- one vet I used to take him to wanted to perform ear cannel surgery that would have left him deaf. I can't imagine this would be my last option.

Message edited 11/10/2008 12:31:45 AM.

Re: Dont know what to do anymore...

Re: Dont know what to do anymore...

Message edited 11/10/2008 7:44:10 AM.

Re: Dont know what to do anymore...

Thanks Jessica for posting, Im going to give this a try...

Diana, I think I know the solution you're talking about. Its deep blue/purple? I actually bought this through the internet about a year ago and it kinda worked, but I havent been able to find it since.

Re: Dont know what to do anymore...

No the Dr makes it.. I will go get it for you and send it.. I sware it works.. I have that other one too.. Thats a cleanser.. This is a solution.. like a treatment.. Wolf is in Woodmere I live right here..I really dont mind at all.. I know how bad you feel.. This would make me nuts!!

Re: Dont know what to do anymore...

Have you done allergy testing on him?

I have a similar problem with one of my bulldogs, but he is allergic to everything under the sun. He can only eat like one type of dog food (salmon) and very few treats. Changing his diet helped, but ear solution is also needed.

How often do you clean his ears? I would do it a couple of times a week, along with the blue solution from the vet.

Good Luck

Re: Dont know what to do anymore...

Has your vet tried a different medicine? Charlie used to have chronic ear infections. We would clean them, and medicate him and within a week it would be back, but this new vet started using a different kind of ear drop on him and it was like a miracle.

They did a really thorough cleaning while he was under for his surgery 2 weeks ago and then with these drops nothing has come back.

I can get the name of them for you.

Re: Dont know what to do anymore...

I have a beagle and he has the same problem ... and no it never really stops. You just have to learn what you can do to make it better. We clean out his ears with a Q-tip almost everyday. Our vet said it really helps. But even still, it does get bad sometimes and we just have to put the medicine in them and make sure we keep cleaning them out. Lots of dogs with floppy ears gets this. HTH

Re: Dont know what to do anymore...

My close friend had a cocker and it comes with the breed.
They are very prone to ear infections and the only real solution is to remove the ear canals. My friend wouldn't do that either, her dog ended up deaf anyway and still had to have daily care to her ears.
Also, watch the eyes for tear duct issues...it generally starts around 3/4 years of age.

Re: Dont know what to do anymore...

Our dog had a very bad ear infection.

We were prescribed an oral medication that she needed to take 1x/day along with an ear wash that had to be done 1x/day and an ear ointment that had to be done 2x/day. The whole treatment was a month long and it cleared up.

The vet said it was from getting water in her ears.

I can probably look up the exact prescription if you want... just FM me and let me know if you want me to!