Lindainfa Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 Basically Lola has had ear infections twice this year and although antibiotic drops helped and cleaning them regularly I still took her to a Dermitoligist just for her overall itchy face, chewing and licking paws etc. The derm said that her Ear Canals were so narrow that she could not see to the eardrum so could not tell if there was infection further. She said even if she has stopped scratching and shaking her head there could be alot of gunk down further that could rupture the ear drum if left like that. She put Lola on Predisinole (spelling) the anti inflammatory cortisone. 5mg once a day and this was supposed to open her canals if there was an infection and they were thick from that. So this went on for a week and today we went back, the cortisone didn't do anything and they are still narrow. She explained that they could be naturally narrow but wants to flush out the ear with her under a general to clean out all the gunk and she has to have an MRI to determine if any gunk has ruptured into her ear drum. Does this sound excessive at all? I was a bit hesitant but I don't want to risk her ear drum bursting and then major surgery in which case she will be deaf. Has anyone else been through this? Also the price for the flush, anasthetic and MRI I am looking at between $800 - $1500 depending on what the diagnosis is and if she needs meds and whatever else!! ARgghh, she is booked in tomorrow and I am so worried. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindainfa Posted June 28, 2011 Author Share Posted June 28, 2011 Sorry for the terrible spelling, in a rush! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 without knowing every detail & just on the basics above i would say excessive especially the MRI. Have they done cultures on her ears?? Are her feet swollen/yeasty??If so her feet need to be treated for infections too which many vets don't think off. She scratches her ears & the cycles just goes around in circles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindainfa Posted June 28, 2011 Author Share Posted June 28, 2011 Yes she has done Cytology and it comes back as yeast. Today it came back as no abnormal findings. But she was so adamant that if I didn't go ahead with this that her ear drum was going to be ruptured because her canals are narrowed. Would I have been better to just continue with the regular ear cleansing?? Oh god, I am booked in for tomorrow morning. This is at the Melb Vet Specialist Centre and the Derm is supposed to be one of the best specialiasts. But then I have been reading on forums about dogs that have pus and blood coming out of their ears and they haven't had this done! And you are right, I try to discuss the issue of the rest of her body, her feet especially and she just says once we have diagonosed the ears we can deal with that issue. So confused. I wish I didn't book it in straight away, I honestly felt pressured. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 If it was me i would cancel because you have questions that are legit & should have been covered prior to this . But you now the issue with your dog so only you can make the decision Vets that are pushy piss me off & even more so the ones that don't listen or take time to cover all areas Have you discussed the issues with the breeder?? What are you feeding??Has the vet offered a diet regime?? What do you clean the ears with?? Has it always been an issue or more recent ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rappie Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 The MRI may not be required, but an ear flush under GA is often the most effective way of cleaning out an ear regardless of the underlying cause. It is more efficient than regular ear cleaning, especially in cases where there is an anatomical problem such as narrowing of the ear canal. Alone, it will not solve ear problems but it is much more beneficial to apply topical treatment to a very clean ear than to simply keep applying it to a plug of wax in the ear. It is not a solution in itself, the underlying problem still requires investigation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindainfa Posted June 28, 2011 Author Share Posted June 28, 2011 If it was me i would cancel because you have questions that are legit & should have been covered prior to this . But you now the issue with your dog so only you can make the decision Vets that are pushy piss me off & even more so the ones that don't listen or take time to cover all areas Have you discussed the issues with the breeder?? What are you feeding??Has the vet offered a diet regime?? What do you clean the ears with?? Has it always been an issue or more recent ?? Thanks so much for your advice. I feed her on Barf, took away all wheat,I originally took her to the Derm because I wanted her to help me with elimination diet and if that didn't help then desenzitisation for environmental allergies. I have seen her twice and its always just about her ears. I clean her ears with the brand Paws Natural cleaner and that was helping, she had stopped scratching her ears for weeks. I am looking into getting her some Thornit powder or Epi Otic. The Derm has not recommended anything at this stage though I am sure she would after the ear flush. Lola is only 15 months. I noticed it started during summer, in the warm months and then also when we has been to the beach, obviously she got water down her ears and I didn't even think of drying them out. I haven't talked to her breeder, maybe I should do that and also talk to my Vet who referred me to the Derm. Maybe I should call in the morning and say I have been vomiting all night and can't make it?!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindainfa Posted June 28, 2011 Author Share Posted June 28, 2011 The MRI may not be required, but an ear flush under GA is often the most effective way of cleaning out an ear regardless of the underlying cause. It is more efficient than regular ear cleaning, especially in cases where there is an anatomical problem such as narrowing of the ear canal. Alone, it will not solve ear problems but it is much more beneficial to apply topical treatment to a very clean ear than to simply keep applying it to a plug of wax in the ear. It is not a solution in itself, the underlying problem still requires investigation. She already told me she wants to do the MRI. Would I be able to have an ear flush done at a standard Vet Clinic without these excessive costs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
periannath Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 (edited) I have recently had a bitch come home with a terrible ear.Usually Vet visit and yeast diagnosed.It was so bad that the vet couldn't see down to her ear drum,it was literally full of gunk and in a terrible way. He told me by this stage her ear drum would probably be ruptured anyway.Two and a half weeks later of treatment and it's all good.He did tell me to prepared to treat the ear for 6 weeks.I'll take in a swab to see how we are going this week.He did suggest an ear flush would be on the cards but wanted me to try treatment first.He also recommended are 1:30 malaseb dilution to use as an ear cleaner. So what your vet is suggesting seems excessive to me.Even if my girls ear drum is ruptured I haven't noticed any difference in her at all.That said it is your dog so you have to do what you are comfortable with.Most vets would be capable of doing an ear flush at reasonable cost and if it was me I would probably be starting there rather than a MRI.Perhaps seek a second opinion for reassurance before you proceed? Edited June 28, 2011 by periannath Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindainfa Posted June 28, 2011 Author Share Posted June 28, 2011 Thank you Perianath, I think just the fact that I am on here questioning this shows that I am uncomfortable with this, not just the money issue - I would pay anything for my dogs health, but for something is potentially excessive to put her through and it is not going to stop the issue of her getting yeasty gunk down there, so will she be recommending this all the time??! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baileys mum Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 (edited) My 13yo Aussie terrier x has had problems with yeast infections in her ears on & off for about 5 years.Our local vet would just give her Demotic ear drops to treat it & she would be all right for a while & then it would come bad again. About 3 months ago it got so bad & was so closed over that our Vet recommended for a total ear canal removal. Well we we not comfortable at all with this & due to her age we took her to the Werribee University animal hospital for a 2nd opinion. Well they where fantastic with her..completely checked her over & even detected that she had a heart murmour that our own vet had never picked up before. They gave her some cortisone & some antibiotic drops to treat her with & told us to bring her back in a week for a whole day for a ear flush, some dental work & a chest x-ray to find out the grade of her heart murmour. They where great with her...the heart murmour was only a grade 1, they where able to flush her ear out & also extracted 2 teeth & gave the rest of her teeth a clean. They also sent her home with more cortisone & some ear drops called Otomax lotion that we put in her ear 3 times a week. 3 months later she seems to be ok,with us giving her the medication, & we will try to control it this way to avoid surgery for as long as we can. Our bill at Werribee cost us $800.00 This included Hospital day stay Pre surgery blood work General anaesthic Fluids Chest x-ray Ear flush 2 teeth extracted rest of the teeth cleaned Cortisone medication ear drops. Edited June 28, 2011 by Baileys mum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindainfa Posted June 28, 2011 Author Share Posted June 28, 2011 Baileys Mum - Thank you soooo much!! I think that has made my mind up to get a second opinion at Weribee, also saw that the Derm is Dr Greg Burton, heard alot of good things mentioned about him on here and other forums. Its also interesting to hear that your boy had problems on and off for 5 years and you just had the ear flush now - Lola has only had this problem for about 7 months!!! hmmm I think this is too drastic, I am going to call them in the morning and cancel, then ring my standard Vet and advise what I have done, then ring Weribee for an appointment. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baileys mum Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 That's great Lindainfa ...they are so good at Werribee & I'm sure they will take good care of your little girl, & hopefully find a way to manage her problem like they have done for my Jessie. I only wish we had of brought her to Werribee 5 years ago when her ear troubles started. Their prices are very reasonable too...you only have to see how much they did for Jessie for $800.00 Good luck & please keep us posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mason_Gibbs Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 I use Malacetic ear cleanser, its the best. Epi otic stings!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
periannath Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 In the vets defence she may be suggesting this treatment knowing how concerned you are about Lola and may be trying to give you a definitive answer, knowing that you will find any cost acceptable if it helps Lola.If the treatment she is suggesting would give you the answer that would stop Lola having the problem again is another question.It may well be narrow ear canals are just a part of being Lola.Write yourself a list of questions to ask the vet at Werribee. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindainfa Posted June 28, 2011 Author Share Posted June 28, 2011 I use Malacetic ear cleanser, its the best. Epi otic stings!! Thanks I will look into this one. Let you know how it goes tomorrow. Baileys Mum- Which vet would you recommend? Did you actually deal with Dr Burton? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baileys mum Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 No we actually dealt with a female vet called Dr saunders...I forget her first name, but it started with an R, but she was lovely. They are all lovely there including the vet nurses. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Avanti* Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 Baileys Mum - Thank you soooo much!! I think that has made my mind up to get a second opinion at Weribee, also saw that the Derm is Dr Greg Burton, heard alot of good things mentioned about him on here and other forums. Its also interesting to hear that your boy had problems on and off for 5 years and you just had the ear flush now - Lola has only had this problem for about 7 months!!! hmmm I think this is too drastic, I am going to call them in the morning and cancel, then ring my standard Vet and advise what I have done, then ring Weribee for an appointment. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I agree with the second opinion. I think sometimes we can rush into things when it may not always be the best way to go. My dogs have continual inflamed ear issues due to a grass allergy. So far we can only manage it and keep them from getting too bad. Good luck with your dog's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lindainfa Posted June 28, 2011 Author Share Posted June 28, 2011 I agree with the second opinion. I think sometimes we can rush into things when it may not always be the best way to go. My dogs have continual inflamed ear issues due to a grass allergy. So far we can only manage it and keep them from getting too bad. Good luck with your dog's. CAn I ask do they have narrow canals from it and if so do you just manage it by cleaning regularly? Have you had the ear flush? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
*Avanti* Posted June 28, 2011 Share Posted June 28, 2011 (edited) CAn I ask do they have narrow canals from it and if so do you just manage it by cleaning regularly? Have you had the ear flush? No their canals are not especially narrow (they are Labradors). We manage with an occasional mild ear wash (diluted 1:50 Malaseb) and Dermotic drops, only when needed. The vet said I was managing them well considering. It still saddens me to see them get these troubles though. Edited June 28, 2011 by LabTested Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now