Sail_Away Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Hi everyone My dog has developed another yeast infection with bacteria to her right ear. She has had about two yeast infections (same ear) over the past couple of years, generally occurring in summer (swimming + humidity) and today I went to a different vet to our regular one and after checking the discharge under the microscope he has prescribed a pretty heavy duty dose of medications to treat it... 1g cephalexin daily, Surolan ear drops and Prednil for 2 weeks.... I'm a bit reluctant to put her on Prednil.... has anyone else used this combo to treat a similar ear infection? My regular vet and I always prefer to treat a little more conservatively in the beginning with drops and that usually clears it up - I understand that this time the infection is now growing bacteria so worse than in the past but I've never had my dog on these meds before so just checking thoughts before I go ahead and give them... Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavNrott Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 The medication regime sounds reasonable for a yeasty, bacterial ear infection. Cephalexin to treat the bacteria - Surolan to treat yeasty ear - Pred to treat inflammation. I would question the need for Pred for two weeks though. Is he on a decreasing dose of Pred? Yeast is persistent and considering there is also a bacterial infection present you probably need to treat aggressively rather than conservatively. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sail_Away Posted February 2, 2015 Author Share Posted February 2, 2015 The medication regime sounds reasonable for a yeasty, bacterial ear infection. Cephalexin to treat the bacteria - Surolan to treat yeasty ear - Pred to treat inflammation. I would question the need for Pred for two weeks though. Is he on a decreasing dose of Pred? Yeast is persistent and considering there is also a bacterial infection present you probably need to treat aggressively rather than conservatively. Yes she is on a decreasing dose of Pred... I agree that 2 weeks is a bit long. He didn't use scope to look in her ear either and I don't believe the inflammation is that bad it warrants pred. I will continue with the Surolan drops which have prednisone in them anyway and start her on the cephalexan tomorrow. Thanks for your input, just not one to over medicate, so nice to hear what others have done Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VizslaMomma Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Have you consider using snoods to cover their ears, Sail_Away? Have had issues with the Horrible One because he was swimming in a chlorine pool. Off to the Vet tomorrow actually for a check. He has the chance of travel which might need to be in a plane. Not going to do that unless this ears are A_OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sail_Away Posted February 3, 2015 Author Share Posted February 3, 2015 Have you consider using snoods to cover their ears, Sail_Away? Have had issues with the Horrible One because he was swimming in a chlorine pool. Off to the Vet tomorrow actually for a check. He has the chance of travel which might need to be in a plane. Not going to do that unless this ears are A_OK. I used to put a snood on my Std. Poodle when she was eating but haven't thought about it for my V.. when were you thinking it would be good for her to wear one? I just phoned my regular vet this morning to ask advice on the meds given - she said just use the Surolan ear drops for a week plus the PAW gentle ear clearer half hour before each day and see if there is improvement. If not then consider commencing Cephalexin but to not start prednil unless she is scratching a lot, which she isn't. The ear drops have prednisone in them anyway so don't want to over do it. I am going to just start with the drops and see how we go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brightstar123 Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Failure to use systemic antibiotics can be an important cause of chronic ear disease in dogs. Systemic antibiotics should generally be used when certain inflammatory cells (neutrophils) or rod-type bacteria are found on microscopic exam (which the original vet may have found?), in cases of therapeutic failure with topical products, in chronic recurring ear infections, and in all cases of middle ear infection. In treatment of acute bacterial ear infection, antibiotics in combination with oral prednisone can definitely reduce discharge, pain and swelling. Perhaps the original vet was a little more aggressive in his/her treatment protocol given that your dog has had several previous infections? It's also not always possible to check the ear with the otoscope as it can obviously be pretty painful and inflamed. It usually works well to bring out the big guns (in terms of treatment) and really clear up the problem, then use more natural/gentle products for ongoing prevention of further infection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Failure to use systemic antibiotics can be an important cause of chronic ear disease in dogs. Systemic antibiotics should generally be used when certain inflammatory cells (neutrophils) or rod-type bacteria are found on microscopic exam (which the original vet may have found?), in cases of therapeutic failure with topical products, in chronic recurring ear infections, and in all cases of middle ear infection. In treatment of acute bacterial ear infection, antibiotics in combination with oral prednisone can definitely reduce discharge, pain and swelling. Perhaps the original vet was a little more aggressive in his/her treatment protocol given that your dog has had several previous infections? It's also not always possible to check the ear with the otoscope as it can obviously be pretty painful and inflamed. It usually works well to bring out the big guns (in terms of treatment) and really clear up the problem, then use more natural/gentle products for ongoing prevention of further infection. I agree :) The A/B's will reach bugs the drops won't . has your dog had her ears cleaned/treated whilst under G A ? That's often the only way to get a nice clean surface which allows drops etc to work properly ..and to let the vet have a good look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavNrott Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 With respect Sail Away, your regular vet cannot examine the ear in the course of a telephone conversation. Therefore it's not prudent for her to second guess a vet who actually examined the ear and checked the discharge under a microscope. He established the presence of a bacterial infection. The vet probably didn't use an otoscope because it would have caused pain. I agree with Brightstar123. As this is a recurring infection and bacteria is present I would follow the advice given by the vet who actually examined your dog. You could of course take the dog along to your usual vet. If you take this course, ask her to take a swab for examination under a microscope to confirm the presence of bacteria as well as yeast (fungi). The dog needs to be treated for yeast and bacteria and the pain must be considerable. If it was my dog I would not delay the administration of antibiotics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mita Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 (edited) My nearly 15 yr old tibbie, Nina Zena, has always been vulnerable to ear infections arising out of yeast build-up.... mainly in the right ear. Late last November, it flared again. Bad infection in right ear. The treating vet prescribed a course of Prednisone & PMP suspension ear drops. She also pointed out how the 'yeast' was a whole of NZ's skin issue. Sure enough a kind of waxiness could be felt all over...there was even a build-up on her soft collar. She advised managing that, too, as part of the treatment. NZ was to be bathed in Mediderm Shampoo, followed by Nutriderm Conditioner. She was to get an ear clean out with Octoflush once a week. I was also advised to get NZ clipped. NZ did well & it was a relief not to hear her crying when she scratched her ear. Just this week, after weeks of horrendously humid weather, NZ started crying when she scratched near her right ear. There were also a couple of mildly raw scratched patches at the front of her neck & on one side. I started giving her 1mg of Polaramine antihistamine twice a day. Her usually healthy fur was dry & brittle, too. Off to our usual vet, taking all the previous treatment of show him. Testing again showed bad ear infection in the right ear. This time a course of antibiotics was prescribed, Noroclav. And the PMP Suspension ear drops were to be continued. Same with the Polaramine. The vet said best could be hoped for, would be to manage & try to tone down her ear infections. He reckoned best cure would be to move to a cool climate! He also advised upping fish oil in her diet, given the dryness of her skin...by supplements. Tho' I suggested I'd rather do it via diet as I'd be certain of the potency. He agreed.... so NZ's been having sardines (salt-free) & tuna with her meals. I was also to continue the bathing & conditioning routine.... as well as the weekly use of Octoflush. By the third day, I could see a huge difference in NZ, no more crying. Edited February 3, 2015 by mita Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sail_Away Posted February 3, 2015 Author Share Posted February 3, 2015 Thanks everyone. After having another think through, I have decided to start the antibiotics today. Although she has had yeast infections in the past it is not a frequent occurrence for her and I think just the combination of swimming and the excessively humid whether we are getting here in QLD right now has been the main contributing factors. I understand my regular vet can't really give accurate advice over the phone, especially as she is only going by my description. I respect the original vets diagnosis being he examined it under microscope - he did say it was only 'just' getting into the next phase where bacteria is starting to form, it wasn't swimming in it yet. But due to this I will get onto those antibiotics now rather than wait until its too late. When my girl got desexed last year, my vet checked her ears thoroughly then whilst under GA and they were perfectly fine... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brightstar123 Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Great decision :) May as well get it under control ASAP to reduce her discomfort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCresties Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Have you heard of Thornit ear powder? Once you are on top of this infection it might be worth a try. It was initially recommended to me on a UK Cocker forum - lots of heavy floppy damp ears there! People swore by it - I used it regularly in my cocker's ears and he never had any issues and he seemed to be a permanently wet dog, living near the coast in Scotland! You only need a tiny amount, so a small bottle lasts for ages. http://www.thornitearpowder.com/ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Thornit-Ear-Powder/121510744597077 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sail_Away Posted February 3, 2015 Author Share Posted February 3, 2015 Have you heard of Thornit ear powder? Once you are on top of this infection it might be worth a try. It was initially recommended to me on a UK Cocker forum - lots of heavy floppy damp ears there! People swore by it - I used it regularly in my cocker's ears and he never had any issues and he seemed to be a permanently wet dog, living near the coast in Scotland! You only need a tiny amount, so a small bottle lasts for ages. http://www.thornitearpowder.com/ https://www.facebook...121510744597077 This looks good. Is it mainly used to 'dry' the ear area? The benefit with my breed is her short hair and the ear canal's are hair free which is great. I need to work out a way of ensuring they dry out better after swimming though.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VizslaMomma Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 This looks good. Is it mainly used to 'dry' the ear area? The benefit with my breed is her short hair and the ear canal's are hair free which is great. I need to work out a way of ensuring they dry out better after swimming though.. this is why I suggested the snood. Horrible Herbert got so much water in his ears during the actual swimming, he would shake out the water madly. We now use a snood. He is much more comfortable & has less problems. :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrazyCresties Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Have you heard of Thornit ear powder? Once you are on top of this infection it might be worth a try. It was initially recommended to me on a UK Cocker forum - lots of heavy floppy damp ears there! People swore by it - I used it regularly in my cocker's ears and he never had any issues and he seemed to be a permanently wet dog, living near the coast in Scotland! You only need a tiny amount, so a small bottle lasts for ages. http://www.thornitearpowder.com/ https://www.facebook...121510744597077 This looks good. Is it mainly used to 'dry' the ear area? The benefit with my breed is her short hair and the ear canal's are hair free which is great. I need to work out a way of ensuring they dry out better after swimming though.. No I believe it's used to kill off mites that are thought to be the root cause of many ear issues. If you have a bit of a google you will find lots of tales of success from using it :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Thornit is, AFAIK a mixture of "old" medicines ..mostly ones which have a 'disinfecting' property . It does sound a useful thing to have around for minor wounds and hotspots too :) Boric acid iodoform powder zinc oxide and talc as a carrier Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Podengo Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 I second a snood for swimming, we use them at my hydrotherapy pool sometimes Swim Snood Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cavNrott Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Thornit is, AFAIK a mixture of "old" medicines ..mostly ones which have a 'disinfecting' property . It does sound a useful thing to have around for minor wounds and hotspots too :) Boric acid iodoform powder zinc oxide and talc as a carrier Oh! are they the ingredients of Thornit powder. Question: does the powder not accumulate in the ear? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 they are ingredients, yes. The powder maybe gets gradually moved to the outside in teh same way as wax? I don't know this one ...good point! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vacuna Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 I think it is a wonderful product - wouldn't be without it for my toy poodles. Thornit is the english product and Wonder Ear the american version. Google can provide further information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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