Dog Community

Hot Shot's ears

Posted : 11/16/2009 11:02:54 AM

Not sure if I am posting in the right place but I read a couple of threads about ears and I am still confused.

I went to scratch Hot Shot behind the ears Saturday and he pulled away (not like him he loves ear scratches) I checked his ears and on one ear it looks like he skined it.... not a scratch, not in the canal, but on the inside of the ear flap?? Its not scabbed over and not really red just like when you might skin a knee or elbow. On the other ear, it had some dried blood, not fresh, but it couldnt be too old cause I cleaned his ears last week. I cleaned both ears with a soft warm wet cloth, he didnt seem to mind it until I used a q-tip closer to the ear canal. I didnt do anything else til I had a chance to check with you guys. I have never had ear problems with any dogs that I remember, I always clean their ears with a warm damp cloth. I did notice yesterday that he would shake his head occasionally but he doesnt seem to be too bothered by it. The reason I think it might be an injury is that the hair on the outside of the skinned ear is a little matted. I know since the cooler weather he has been exploring the neighbors pasture and I am wondering if he didnt get skinned up on a fence. I cant find any major sores or cuts. What are your thoughts? Also the one ear has a huge mat of fur that I have been working on, it is so close to the ear and skin that I am having fits trying to get the knots out, too close to use scissors, hesitant about using a razor blade. Cant use an electric shaver It makes noise:) So I have been using a comb and trying to work it out, he will sit still only so long when I am doing this.

calliecritturs

Posted : 11/16/2009 12:32:38 PM

A yeast ear infection smells ... yeasty. But a bacterial infection has it's own smell. given that he's shaking his head I'm gonna jump to ear infection ... and honestly I'd be concerned that it's bacterial. Those hurt more than itch ... but they can make them shake their head a little bit.

But digging IN the ear would likely cause the injury under the ear flap. Honestly? because he drew his head away I'm going to tell you to have a vet look at it BEFORE you put a whole lot in it.

Because if it's deep get a culture and sensitivity done if you possibly can so you make sure they use the right antibiotic (ears are touchy and a bacterial infection can go on a LONG LONG time before you are aware of it).

You said all the words that typically tip ME off to something seriously rotten in Denmark if you know what I mean. A yeast ear infection is WAY easier to spot -- but it's the bacterial ones that can cause severe problems if left untreated.

Even if the vet doesn't do a full culture & sensitivity -- at least get them to go deep with a swab and find out if it's bacterial.

shadowsgin

Posted : 11/16/2009 12:52:28 PM

Thanks Callie, their is no odor, that was the first thing I check since his hair was matted I thought he had been doing the "varmit roll" outside. That was actually the first thing I noticed, then the sensitivity came later.

I will get in touch with the vet.

calliecritturs

Posted : 11/17/2009 12:14:33 AM

Bacteria is *tough* to tell ... I hope I'm wrong!

shadowsgin

Posted : 11/18/2009 10:54:45 AM

Hot Shot went to the vet yesterday! I am a little ashamed to admit that this was his first trip with us. He was so skittish about all things that we have been trying to get him to get in the van on his own with out forcing him. It was a few months past time for his Rabies Vacine but we have been so careful not to spook him til he was comfortable. The ear thing forced the issue. My vet tech (awesome person) told me to come by and get something to give him to make him relax and not be anxious about the trip. We gave it to him and it was just about 10 min and he was very relaxed. In fact I was afraid he was too relaxed and we knew we couldnt lift him, lol! We decided to let Rocky go cause he loves riding and jumped right in wagging and telling Hot it will be fun!!!! Got him in, rode very well although relaxed on drugs!

Hot has a yeast infection in his ears! Dr. said we caught it early so should clear up pretty quickly . Since we had him in, we decided to do the whole works. His heartworm test negative, he got his vacinations, we found that he is not chipped, we got some medicine to treat his ears and he and Rocky got major luvin, huggin, treats and rubbins!!! All in all a good trip! We so wanted his first trip to be good and it was. Our Vet, his wife and his tech are almost like family to us, our pets have always been treated like they are their own.

Here is the funny part, when we got ready to leave we had the vet tech go out with us to help us load (Hubby kinda strained to get Hot loaded at home). I opened the van door and he just walked in and laid down like he had done it a million times, lol! Then when we got home I opened both side doors on the van Rocky jumped out one side Hot got out the other walked around to the other side and got back in and laid down. Then once we convinced him we were all getting out, he got out...grabbed his leash in his mouth walked up the side walk turned around walked back to the van (which I was unloading) and got back in the drivers seat. I laughed so hard.....wish I had the camera! We finally got him in the house and he laid down and slept like a baby. Now I am sure part of it was the "drugs" but I am hoping to take him for a drive this afternoon just for fun and see how well he loads without drugs.