Zoe's Ears

[Lindsey]

Does anything come out of her ears when you clean them? Layla used to have terrible problems with her ears, and came to me with severe yeast infections in both at 10 weeks old. She would scratch so hard she was scabbed and bleeding. Try putting cotton swabs in her ears and swiping down deep... yellow wax is healthy, brownish means there's an infection. IF the problem is an infection in her ears, chances are she has a food allergy. Layla's would always be recurring. After vet visits and medication, it would get worse again.

Did the vets do swabs?

[DianaB]

Does Zoe have dry skin? Reuger scratches a lot, even around his ears. I had him on Science Diet for dry skin and he was doing great but the last time we bought dog food they had the huge sack of regular Science Diet on sale so we bought that. He started scratching like crazy and at first I didn't realize what was causing it but now I realize that it's his food. You might check into something like that especially since they aren't finding out anything with her ears. When Reuger's scratching really bad I give him some children's liquid Benedryl. It really helps. Good luck!!

[paula1961]

So sorry about Zoe Marilyn. I haven't experience the ear problem but I certainly have with the hair on one of mine. I took her to the vet and they said it was most likely a food allergy. They said to only feed her lamb and rice food. She doesn't seem to have near the problem that she did before. Believe me I have tried supplements of all kinds and nothing seems to work completely but the food does seem to help. Hope you get a solution soon and if you do please post and let us know.

[Janet]

I would probably check on the forums, but I think you'll probably get a lot of them telling you to change foods.

[lynne b]

My Andrew has the same problem only the right ear, same thing he will scratch it and either yelp or moan like it feels so good to just scratch it. I to have asked the vet about it, as of last week , he got neutered so i asked them to check his ears and they found nothing. I have always tried to feed a good quality food, and even bought one of the PUR water filter for their water. Well now he has a new problem, i gave him a bath last Friday and when i took him out of the tub his right eye was all blood shot down in the corner, i try hard not to get water in his face, he hates it so i use a wash cloth, he has always had a runny eye on that side, his muzzle is always wet, not sure if it might be sinus or something to do with his tear duct. I don't think it is a scratched cornia because it dosen't bother him any other way. I asked the vet tech about it when he was neutered and she said i would have to make another app for that. Go figure!! It's always something with these guys LOL

[Marilyn]

Thank you all for your comments and suggestions. They did do ear swabs and came back with nothing. I do think she may have a bit of yeast in her ears, but I don't know if what I'm seeing is yeast or residue from all the drops that we use.

I think we will try the other vet, but also, change her food to lamb based instead of the poultry and beef based she is trying now and see if that helps. She was eating fine, but has been turning her nose up at her food lately. Maybe she knows the food is a problem. We're feeding Science Diet, canned and dry. I don't think they have a lamb based, so may have to check out another brand.

Zoe's skin isn't dry, but Chase's is, perhaps we can get a lamb based for dry skin.

The Benedryl is something one of the vets had recommended, but it didn't seem to be making a difference. Think I'll try that again.

Lynne, I like Andrew's cut. Zoe has a long full coat, or as long as her's will grow. All the groomer does is clean her up, shave down her nose, private parts, remove hair from ears and tip her ears and feet. When she scratches she makes a big tangled spot on her side that I have to brush out all the time. I mentioned cutting her hair short, but Rex thinks that then she will scratch her skin more and make herself raw. Not sure she would do that, but I don't think he wants to see her cut short.

I'm getting desperate. She needs some relief, and I just don't have time to deal with all of this. I love her to pieces, and she's keeping my lap warm right now. She's less that 4 lbs, so she's a real cuddle bug.

[paula1961]

Marilyn actually Science Diet does make a lamb and rice. I feed it to mine. It's called Nature's Best lamb and brown rice. I buy it at Tractor Supply. My vet told me not to give Halle anything with beef in it because alot of dogs are allergic to beef protein. I just thought you might want to know that. Let us know what the new vet says. I for one would be very interested to know. Good luck.