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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

DDog's poorly ear

29 replies

Neversleepingever · 16/04/2021 16:49

I noticed DDog had a lot of wax in her right ear when I plucked them last week. Other ear is perfect. After I plucked, it went all swollen. That afternoon she was in with the nurse anywayto have her anal glands squeezed so I mentioned it. Nurse showed the Vet at they said clean every day and if no better in a week, come back.

It's still no better. I took a picture this morning of before a clean and then after. DH took DDog to the vet this afternoon. Showed the pic and vet couldn't see into the ear canal as it's too swollen so they have prescribed some steroid tablets.

I feel really worried as I expected some drops or something. I'm worried DH didn't explain properly. DDog seems normal in herself and her ear dosn't seem to be giving any discomfort - She dosn't flinch when I clean her ear or anything.

Vet said to give the steroid tablets for a week and then return if no better.

Can anyone reassure me?

OP posts:
BiteyShark · 16/04/2021 18:49

Sorry no experience but bumping for you.

Sputnikle · 17/04/2021 02:51

my dogs had ear mites years ago that looked not dissimilar to this (although I can't see clearly enough to be sure). The brown sludgy stuff was their poo. I cleaned them out gently every day but also bought and used natural ear drops and they went away int he end. Like yours they showed no signs of distress or anything.. Maybe research ear mites a bit and see if that could be the problem? they caused no real harm in the end.

Lanique · 17/04/2021 05:01

After several rounds of antibiotics and discussions with the vet RE allergies and a possible operation, I was recommended this by an ex-vet nurse. the ear stuff is what you need.

So far, six months now at least, I haven't needed anything else!

https://www.stinky-stuff.co.uk/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw6-SDBhCMARIsAGbI7Ug-Umsz9NtmiCCDeqCWhNyONM69F7jGhlh46jGGVuqbQHst3oX7IKAaAuKUEALw_wcB

Lanique · 17/04/2021 05:01

Or rather, my dog hasn't needed anything else Blush

villainousbroodmare · 17/04/2021 05:23

Are you routinely plucking the hair out of your dog's ears? It's sore and usually unnecessary. Just clean away any excess wax with minimum trauma.

Most ear inflammation in dogs, especially if recurrent, is allergy based and is likely to respond well to steroids.

However I would probably swing back to the vets with your dog and see if they can now see into the ear and perhaps take a swab to check what organisms may be in there.

Ask them if they think it's really necessary to pluck her ears. I imagine it's not.

Cactuslockdown · 17/04/2021 05:30

I’ve never heard of plucking dogs ear hair? Did you tell the vet you’d done that? What are you cleaning them with?
Has she been shaking her head? If not her ears weren’t sore...

villainousbroodmare · 17/04/2021 06:51

Your pics suggest that you started off with a mildly grubby but comfortable ear, then plucked and so created an inflamed swollen ear. Think that's where it went a bit wrong.

girlofnow · 17/04/2021 06:53

My ear would be swollen too if someone plucked it. Ouch!

BiteyShark · 17/04/2021 06:55

I hadn't spotted the plucking bit. Was there a specific reason you plucked them OP?

My spaniel has really hairy ears but we never pluck them and it hasn't caused any problems. I also wouldn't do it unless the vet told me to and then I would get them to do it Grin

sunflowersandbuttercups · 17/04/2021 07:06

Why are you plucking her ears?!

I agree with PP above that stinky stuff is great for ear problems. I have a beagle and they're prone to itchy ears and it works like a dream - not expensive either!

HarrietLong · 17/04/2021 07:11

I am a vet. It is no longer recommended to pluck hair from ear canals. If a dog is prone to ear problems, they need other maintenance treatments.

Your vets have done the right thing to prescribe steroids to reduce the swelling, and drops may not be needed at all. Finish the tablets - if any redness, discomfort, unusual odour, or a discharge remains, book another appointment. They will hopefully be able to use the scope then.

DinosaurDiana · 17/04/2021 07:14

@HarrietLong

I am a vet. It is no longer recommended to pluck hair from ear canals. If a dog is prone to ear problems, they need other maintenance treatments.

Your vets have done the right thing to prescribe steroids to reduce the swelling, and drops may not be needed at all. Finish the tablets - if any redness, discomfort, unusual odour, or a discharge remains, book another appointment. They will hopefully be able to use the scope then.

So what are you supposed to do with non-shedding breeds ?
DinosaurDiana · 17/04/2021 07:17

Looks like ear mites, so they need treating.
And get some Thornit powder.Rub a VERY small amount between your fingers to get it into a fine powder, then wipe it on inner ear flap - do not put it in the ear canal.

EnglishRain · 17/04/2021 07:19

I was going to say thornit too for going forwards. Why are you plucking them? I've got golden retrievers and a non shedding small breed and have never plucked.

MrsBungle · 17/04/2021 07:21

Isn’t it sore and irritating to the ear skin to pluck?!

I have a poodle so hairy ears. She has drops from the vet for when the wax builds a bit.

HarrietLong · 17/04/2021 07:24

Dinosaur Diana Just leave them be. Not my advice per se - the advice of specialist veterinary dermatologists. Although I have always thought ear plucking likely to cause increased inflammation.

DinosaurDiana · 17/04/2021 07:28

No it doesn’t irritate to pluck, and you can tell they feel the relief afterwards.
I’ve always plucked my non-shedding dog’s ears and will continue to do so.

HarrietLong · 17/04/2021 07:28

Just googled Thornit powder and would never advise using this near dogs' ears. It's primary ingredient appears to be talc!

DinosaurDiana · 17/04/2021 07:30

Thornit powder works miracles on irritated ears. As I said before, you don’t put it in the ear canal, it goes on the inside of the ear flap.

HarrietLong · 17/04/2021 07:30

Yes, you can see the relief felt by OP's dog Hmm

HarrietLong · 17/04/2021 07:32

HmmHmmHmm

sunflowersandbuttercups · 17/04/2021 07:50

So what are you supposed to do with non-shedding breeds?

Nothing? There's no need to pluck a dogs ear hair! You can use drops if they're prone to wax build up or itchiness.

WhoWants2Know · 17/04/2021 08:04

I have been instructed by a vet to pluck a terrier's ears after repeated infections. It had lots of very long hair in there, and it kind of created an obstruction. I was skeptical, but the dog loved it 🤷‍♀️

picklemewalnuts · 17/04/2021 08:05

Thornit doesn't help my dog. I'm off the try the stinky stuff linked upthread!

Veterinari · 17/04/2021 08:22

@DinosaurDiana

No it doesn’t irritate to pluck, and you can tell they feel the relief afterwards. I’ve always plucked my non-shedding dog’s ears and will continue to do so.
Plucking is painful, it causes inflammation and opens up the skin barrier and provides access for bacterial infection to take hold Very likely that's exactly what has happened here.

But you crack on if you know better than veterinary specialists Confused

Putting random powder containing talc into a dog's ear is terrible advice.

As @HarrietLong has said, dermatology has moved on in the last 20 years. Hairy ears should be cleaned using a pH balanced canine ear cleaner to remove wax build up. The hair itself is natural and protective and pulling it out only increases the risk of infection as has happened here.

The steroids are needed to reduce the swelling and until then topical meds are likely to be ineffective. Certainly shoving random pet shop remedies into a very inflamed ear canal in a recipe for disaster.