Zoe's Ears

[Marilyn]

My little Zoe has had ear problems since Aug. '08. We have taken her to the vet several times. Our vet clinic has three vets and she's seen each of them about her ears. All have said that there is nothing wrong. She may have a little allergy or something. They have given her steroid shots, steroid ear drops and antibiotic ear drops. We've spent over $500, and her ears are no better. They told us to use Benedryl twice a day. The steroid shot did help for about a week and the drops help when we use them, but you aren't supposed to use them every day. The Benedryl didn't seem to do a thing. Right now we are using the drops every day. When we run out, we call the vet and ask for more. At first they said we had to see the vet first and I said no, all three tell us the same thing, that there is nothing wrong, give us some drops and charge $150. We can get a bottle of the drops for about $20.

Her ears itch, especially the left one, and she has scratching fits and cries out like they really hurt.

Now the hair on her back is falling out, and short black hair is growing in it's place. Chase had this same thing happen to his hair when he had kidney problems and almost died. We think the hair loss is due to stress. So Zoe must be really stressed. This ear issue has definitely affected her personality.

I've tried ear cleaning produces from PetSmart, made drops from vinegar and rubbing alcohol.

I'm posting in case anyone has experienced anything like this and has any ideas. A new vet clinic opened nearby recently, I've thought of going and getting yet another opinion. I've also thought of going to a feed store that carries veteranary itmes and ask them if they have any ideas.

Don't know what to do. My poor baby needs help and the vets aren't solving the problem. I feel like Haley with Micah's ear issues. I know Zoe is just a dog, so it's not the same thing as if she were my child, but really wish we could find a long term solution.

I would post on YorkieTalk, and have searched threads over there. But not sure anyone would have any real constructive input. Your thoughts?

[gja1000]

Gosh Marilyn, that's really the pits! I don't have any knowledge of ear issues, clearly Zoe has one. I'm hoping that someone figures out what might be going on. It is so frustrating when something is wrong and no one can find out why/what it is. If it is stress, maybe an anti-anxiety med would help. I would definitely go to the new vet - even though it might be futile, I'd have to try.

Good luck and I am sorry!

[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.

[gja1000]

Marilyn, I feed my pups organic raw (frozen) chicken. I thaw it in the microwave or in the fridge overnight. It's Natures Variety brand. You can get another brand of frozen raw chicken at PetSmart, I think.

One of my boys is a VERY picky eater and he gobbles down the raw chicken every morning. They both are doing very well on it.

I've also been told to feed my mom's dog lamb and rice because he has skin/allergy problems.

[Marilyn]

Thank you, all. I'm definitely going to try some of these ideas. I did buy some lamb and rice, and will try it next & see what happens. Zoe has been a little better the past couple of days. Some days are worse than others. There has to be a fix for this. You are all so wonderful and caring. Thank you so much!!!

[judy]

I just found this Marilyn, and I feel so bad for little Zoe! It does sound like a food allergy. I feed the same as Gayle does, Nature's Variety raw food. It really got rid of a lot of small problems Max was having. He was super picky, had dry skin, sounded like an old man snorting and coughing, and now has more energy. Annie loves it too. She was also picky. Max also lost weight, which he has sadly gained back. Too many dog treats!

I use the beef medallions. I give them one each, along with a grain free kibble, just for their teeth. The 3 pound bag costs $17 and lasts a month. You have to wash your hands after feeding, and I use paper bowls so that bacteria is not an issue.

I hope you find a food that helps Zoe. I really recommend the Nature's Variety. They deliver too, if you want.

[gja1000]

Hey Judy, I think Nature's Variety raw is a very good food! It has completely cured my picky eater and I think both boys are healthier and more active. They don't have any allergy or ear problems, but I think they just do better on the food.

I also use paper plates and I use plastic spoons to cut it up (they want it cut up ) so that I don't have to think about raw meat bacteria. I feed Solid Gold Wee Bits hard food for their teeth. They do great on that combination.

[Marilyn]

Where do you get these foods? I don't even know where to begin to look. Is it pure meat?

[gja1000]

Nature's Variety is pure meat. You can get a different brand, not Nature's Variety, of frozen raw meat at PetSmart.

There is a store locator at the Nature'sVariety.com website See below for locations in your city. There are several. You can also register for a coupon for a free bag (buy one get one free). They've sent me 2 free coupons so far. It really helps because the food is expensive. I feed 2 medallions to each dog each day, Judy only feeds one to each dog. There are 48 medallions in each bag. For the hard food, I'd just feed anything high quality, organic (no fillers or dyes to cause allergies) and that is lamb formula.

http://www.naturesvariety.com/locato...ia%2C%20TX