Otomax ear drops - where to source online? Willl need online vet!

[Trying2bMindful]

I have a black lab and he always has an ear infection.
However the local vet will only prescribe Surolan. However this does nothing.
The only treatment which has worked in the past is Otomax.

At the same time I need to order some worming tablets and flea / tick tablets.

Can anyone recommend an online vet and pharmacy where I can do this?
I can't face going back to the local vet and to be fobbed off again, requiring multiple trips to the vet. Especially when I know what has worked before!!!

Tia

Hi, otomax is a prescription only drug which contains antibiotics. Legally no vet is able to prescribe this without an examination, given the laws on medication prescribing. Last year prescription of antibiotics and anti-parasitics was given an overhaul to make the rules stricter. So you won’t be able to get the Otomax on prescription without seeing your vet first. If the Surolan doesn’t work there will be a good reason for this - e.g antibiotic resistance, or another disease underlying (likely atopy given you have a lab with repeated ear infections). Talk to your vet, if if you’ve lost confidence seek a second opinion from another vet at a different practice (you are within your rights to request this).

You can't get it online without a prescription form your vet - it's a controlled drug.

You can't get it without a prescription

I have a dog that had continual ear problems and I was always putting drops in her ears right from being a pup. Eventually the vet suggested that we use Osurnia which is a treatment given by the vet. It contains antibiotic, steroid and anti fungal and the gel seals the ear canal. They then can’t swim and have another application two weeks later at the vet. She is now 5 and the last 3 half years we have had no further problems with her ears. Her ears were so sore and I was putting stuff in them so often (vet prescribed) that it was affecting our relationship. I would throughly recommend a one off treatment Has you vet explained why he won’t prescribe the Otomax ear treatment that works? Thought of changing your vet? On going conditions are so expensive with multiple vet visits.

As PP said almost certainly underlying allergies. You need a vet visit, ear flush, swab for cytology and appropriate treatment: likely topical plus steroids. BUT THEN you need to get your dog onto something like Apoquel which stops the frequent inflammatory cascade that is the primary cause of all of this misery. And you need to do it soon before your dog's ears are permanently damaged.

Can you go to a different vet?

I'm certainly no expert but our lab is currently being treated for an ear infection. He unfortunately (we believe) has been suffering for months, as the first vet we saw barely looked and said if it didn't smell it was probably fine.

At a new vet for a different reason we asked them to check his ear. She said it was a very bad infection and that for them to be that bad it was likely to be allergy related. His ear was swabbed and they put Neptra in, which is antibiotic, anti-fungal and anti-infllamamatory all in one. It's a long- lasting one. At his 4 weekly follow up last week there was still discharge in that ear so they were flushed and more Neptra applied, plus oral steroids to be given after 5 days if needed. Swab showed it was fungal.

He will have another follow up in 4 weeks, when they will swab again to check the infection is cleared. If it is still not resolved, or if symptoms return in the next couple of months they will have him in to flush his ears under sedation.

All this to say, ear infections do warrant this level of examination and treatment. I feel so guilty for listening to that first vet - dog is so much calmer and eager to please since his treatment started. He must have had long term pain and irritation ☹️. I'm just hoping it's not caused any lasting damage.

Please see a different vet and ask for a swab as a minimum.

Thanks @HariboFrenzy

Did your dog have to be put under for any of this? Or was this just done in the vets office?

No, so far all treatment has been done at our vet visit. If it hasn't resolved at the next visit though they will have him in and sedate him so they can do a thorough job at flushing his ear. I'm amazed at what they've been able to do so far tbh - he's a very"boisterous' lab 🙈