Cockerpoo/spaniel type ears - infection? How much for treatment?

[BurningBridges]

Hi all, my Cockerpoo who is almost 100% spaniel, all cock, no poo, has an ear that is clearly hurting him sometimes - he scratches and whines, doesn't want his ear touched - but other times its fine. All I can see in the ear is a lot of fur and some black paste which I presume to be dog ear wax. I can't see any redness or infection, if there is something there sadly I simply can't see it.

Is the wax alone something to worry about? If I take him to the vet will he get stabbed for an antibiotics injection and given £50 quids worth of creams etc? Which may or may not work? Any experiences welcome.

Does he have the typical long spaniel ears?? I have personal experience with grass seed being a major problem in a few spaniels iv known one had one thru the ear travelled to chest cavity £2000 later he was alive but no one would insure him (springer)
Number two has to have them removed from her ear all the time the most recent being in July on holiday and the vet found 3 (cocker)
Number 3 is a collie/spaniel cross had one go between his toes and start travelling :(
I don't mean to frighten you at all but maybe needs a vet to have a look just incase! Especially if he has the floppy ears and likes bounding through undergrowth.
You can get ear cleaner from your vet to use weekly/ fortnightly/monthly if ears are a problem it stops the build up of that wax, just squirt in massage for a few seconds wait for them to shake and wipe out with cotton wool.
Admittedly mine runs off if you so much as touch the bottle but she'll put up with having it done none the less :)
Hope this helps

That is very helpful - he has major silky spaniel ears, one of his best features. So you think it might be a seed even though I can't see it? you think it might have gone further in ?

Oh and the cleaner doesn't cost and arm and a leg I didnt think guess you will have the charge of the examination but in my experience I'd rather pay the £25 plus say £9 for a bottle of stuff that lasts ages than the £2k that was paid out before, so if you ever see a spaniel out walking and it has cotton wool ear plugs you know why :)

Generally speaking you won't see the seed its always way in by the tome the symptoms show I always check mine after walks anyway just for piece of mind, it may not be a seed at all it may just be an infection or mites but you would prob notice those, is it hot or does it smell different to the other ear (gross I know)!!
All I'm saying is if it were mine knowing what I have been thru I'd get it checked over plus we all know how nasty earache is so poor pooch probably feeling a bit rough x

My poor baby!

Well I have fingers crossed its just a bit of ear ache and he is feeling better soon! Do let me know I hate it when my pets are ill I just want them to be all better :(

buy Epiotic ear cleaner. online is cheaoest.

My vet told me to remove as much hair from inside the ears as possible. Apparently wax can get impacted if there is too much hair and this can become infected.

Ok now I'm worried. I have never checked my dog for grass seeds and wouldn't know what to look for.

What should I be looking for, and how often? He is a 1 yr old Springer.

Type in google, grass seeds in spaniel ears and look at the images that will give you a great idea of what to look for, I have always found that I never see them anyway they are always too far in by the time I check, tell tale signs are crying when an ear is touched scratching at it or rubbing it on the floor they really are nasty things when they get a hold :(

Please don't use a cleaner as there is a risk of a seed if you do it can force the seed that is often by the ear drum further on down through the ear drum.

Your dog is in pain, has something that can be serious... go to the vets!

It's mainly spaniel? HA there will be more bills to come. All those daft dog accidents, falls, ingestions...often spaniels :) insurance rocks.

Does he scratch or shake his head? The black paste is infection. Take him to vets asap as this will be extremely uncomfortable for him. Otodectic mange (ear mites) is dark brown waxy stuff in the ears and can be spread to other pets. Will need something from vet to relieve itchyness and discomfort. As said above it could be a grass seed which will need to be removed asap.

Old fashioned remedy..Thornit powder,just sprinkle a small amount in the ear daily ...marvellous stuff,worked on my dogs infected ears after expensive vet treatments failed.
You can buy it online,its about £6,lasts for ages,and also works on cuts.

second the Thornit suggestion - brilliant stuff