bloody insurance isn't going to cover it.

[steppemum]

so cross today.
steppedog has ear infection.
He has had them before, but each one a distinct infection, treated and cleared up.
He was being treated for one when we first took out the insurance 3 years ago.
Long periods with none, eg 1 year plus.

This one won't clear. He has been on meds since Nov and had a procedure under general anaesthetic to clean out ear, and it won't clear, Vet referred him to specialist, total anticipated cost £1,900.

We just don't have the money. That was why we had insurance. We can't even afford the £400+ it has cost so far.

Insurance today have refused the claim as he had an ear infection when we first took it out 3 years ago. Which stupidly, as honest people we declared.

Just don't know what to do now.

One last question

With all those washed etc, are you squirting stuff in and then wiping out, or just squirting in and leaving it?
Doesn't he end up with an ear full of liquid? Then shakes his head....

And another last question (sorry)
steppedog scratches at his ear with his back paw. Did yours? Did you stop him, or did you disinfect the back paw a couple of times a day?

Thanks

No problem about the questions.

We used a 2ml syringe so the most wash used each time was (drumroll...) 2 mls. We administered it. Gently scrunched his ear to help distribute it and then he shook. Very rarely did much come out but if it did we used another bit of gauze with steriliium to wipe the ear flap and clean up anything that came out - just to make sure any bacteria were not allowed to hang around.

He did not have much bacteria gunk in his ear but at its very worst he did and then needed cleaning up each time.

Yes! His right back paw was used to scratch. Actually he used to kind of dip the paw in the ear and then sniff it and lick it disgusting animal. Mostly I was able to tell him to stop but if I caught him I would wash his paw. We used CLX Wipes which you can buy - and we happened to have in. But we could have used sterilium again or probably a hibiscrub dilution and a flannel.

Because of the covid time it happened sterilium was very hard to get and I ended up paying way over the odds for it because we really needed it. Now it's gone back to normal price I probably would have used that instead.

One of the solutions. I think it was the tris-nac ulcerated his ear. The specialist said it was rare to happen and was able to get hold of a trial/test version of it that was a bit milder. It still was sore but not quite as bad. But it was needed so it was a bit 'gonna get worse to get better'.

His ear was constantly a bit damp from all the stuff being put in it. But not too bad. We did have to take our time with him because he hates having stuff put in his ears - and we were doing it several times a day. I spent a lot of time countering that by gently handling his ears and then giving him a good treat. Just to prevent him really hating ear handling. Seems to have worked enough that his ears can still be handled.

We also all had to be clear that his ear was probably very sore indeed so no one was to accidentally knock it. He's not a dog to lash out when hurt but I really didn't want him to get pushed to that by all the handling and then accidental pain. Iyswim.

He also learned to spot you putting the gloves on ready and would run off if the way was clear. Even now if your sees me put gloves onto for another reason, I look round and he has scarpered!

your last sentence made me laugh.
I do steppedogs ear while watching news at 10 and he knows.
if he gets a chance as soon as the news comes on he slides of the sofa and hides behind a chair.