chezzyr Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Hi The last couple of days I have noticed my girl shaking her head a couple times, and she whimpered this morning when I was patting her around the head. In the direct sunlight a few mins ago I notice a tiny sore, size of a small scratch in her ear. Not sure if the soreness goes further down. I do not want to poke around but is there anything I could use to help with the irritation/pain, or trip to my regular vet tomorrow? She is her normal happy hungry active self, she will whimper only if that part of the ear is touched. Suggestions? Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tilly Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 (edited) Take her to the vet, she has an ear infection. It can be painful for them and the scratching is what has probably caused the sore you can see. The problem is usually deeper in the ear and only drops can help there. Edited January 17, 2009 by Tilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody2shoes Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Take her to the vet, she has an ear infection. It can be painful for them and the scratching is what has probably caused the sore you can see. The problem is usually deeper in the ear and only drops can help there. Asolutely spot on Tilly. Have to agree. Chezzyr, this is a vet job as the ear may well need a deep clean which they will only be able to do under sedation (more than likely) followed by drops daily till the infection clears. Your girl won't stop scratching/head shaking till the infection is under control I'm afraid. BTW, ear infections are not uncommon in some breeds due to poor ventilation of the ear. Bugs get in (especially if the dog likes swimming) and because the environment in the ear is warm & moist , voila! the infection goes rampant. If you do swim your girl, you may well have to routinely dry her ears out with a soft cloth, just as far as you can go in comfortably (no cotton buds!) With our labs, if they ever had issues like this, regular use of a general ear cleaner such as Otoderm also helped a lot. It neutralises the environment so that bacteria can't thrive but be warned, most dogs don't enjoy having liquid squirted in their ears!!!! Have a chat to your vet though. They will be able to give you the complete rundown. Cheers and best of luck. w2s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 It could also be a grass seed, in which case the sooner it is removed by a vet the better. If you are taking her to the vet, don't try flushing or treating the ear yourself beforehand. It will be easier for the vet to figure out what's going on with an untreated ear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chezzyr Posted January 17, 2009 Author Share Posted January 17, 2009 (edited) I don't swim my girl. I haven't noticed her scratching much at all, just a bit when she runs outside onto the lawn (she also sneezes when first running onto the lawn). Wonder if its a grass/seed irritation? THAT would not surprise me. (she also loves making dust baths in the dirt and gravel so wondering if she has anything else in her ears). She is also dropping coat so gets lots of little loose hairs floating around her ears/head. Anyway, thanks, will have a chat to my vet in the morning and try to get her seen tomorrow. So no point buying some "ear cleaner"? eta: the odd occasions I have cleaned her ears is only around the surface with a damp cloth (water). Edited January 18, 2009 by chezzyr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 chez- with my dogs- if they have a grass seed they are VERY sore... head tilt, worried look... Hope the vet finds the problem tomorrow for her :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheridan Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 I don't swim my girl.I haven't noticed her scratching much at all, just a bit when she runs outside onto the lawn (she also sneezes when first running onto the lawn). Wonder if its a grass/seed irritation? THAT would not surprise me. (she also loves making dust baths in the dirt and gravel so wondering if she has anything else in her ears). She is also dropping coat so gets lots of little loose hairs floating around her ears/head. Anyway, thanks, will have a chat to my vet in the morning and try to get her seen tomorrow. So no point buying some "ear cleaner"? eta: the odd occasions I have cleaned her ears is only around the surface with a damp cloth (water). No point as some ear cleaners can make things worse when it's at the head shaking, very sore stage. Vet job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandgrubber Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 good advice above. Note that the vet bill will get much higher if you postpone treatment. If infection gets into the inner ear it can mean big trouble. I know someone who made that mistake and if I remember right they ended out with a three figure vet bill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chezzyr Posted January 18, 2009 Author Share Posted January 18, 2009 Vet will be looking at her late this afternoon. To look at her you wouldn't really know there is anything wrong, no further head shaking/tilting. Just a whimper if I rub the ear (which I am obviously avoiding now). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dame Aussie Posted January 18, 2009 Share Posted January 18, 2009 I noticed Lili was shaking her head and holding it on a tilt so took her to the vet and sure enough it was a very early ear infection. He was stoked I'd noticed it and got it looked at so quickly as with ears the quicker you treat the better, they can get quite bad.If its an infection theyll just give you sime drops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chezzyr Posted January 19, 2009 Author Share Posted January 19, 2009 Been to Vet. He seemed surprised I could see the sore down her ear and was pleased I got her there today. No grass seed, but the start of an infection. Twice daily ear drops for the next 7 days. A load off my mind, thanks guys. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted January 19, 2009 Share Posted January 19, 2009 Glad it wasn't a grass seed - those can be nasty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chezzyr Posted January 19, 2009 Author Share Posted January 19, 2009 I had wondered about grass seeds the way my crazy girl snuffs around in the grass and foliage, or I thought she might have pebbles down her ears. She gets enough stuff up her nose from digging dust baths Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tilly Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 Hope she is feeling better now. It should clear up quickly if it was a relatively minor infection but do keep going with the drops for the prescribed period of time. We usually noticed an improvement in a day or two with our GSD when he gets an ear infection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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