Head shaking/ear problem?

bconroy · 09-17-2004, 09:01 AM

I have a two year old dog who seems to have an ear problem. He shakes his head for much of the night. Several trips to the vet have revealed no evident infection. However, daily wiping out of the ear always reveals some dried blood. Recently I have used a small square cosmetic pads moistened with warm water for the swabbing, which seems to give slight relief. The vet has been unwilling to prescribe medication because of no evident infection. I have to do something for the poor dog. I have no idea if the problem even originates in his ears.

***Carrie*** · 09-17-2004, 10:17 AM

I'd see another vet. Is the ear red and moist looking? He could have a yeast overgrowth. He could have a foreign body in his ear. When you dig down (carefully) with a Q-tip do you get any black looking dirt. I mean black, not brown.

dollface · 09-17-2004, 10:57 AM

I agree I would visit another vet clinic and see someone else. A dog does not do that for no reason....You can also use warm water with lil vinigar, put a cotton swab in the water vinigar and get it wet, not soaking but just a lil damp and clean the ear out...I was told to do this with Tiva by my vet because her ear was a little red and irritated. Definatley see another vet.

Lil'Paws · 09-17-2004, 11:48 AM

I agree with Carrie and Dollface. Something has to be wrong..For him to keep doing this..

moonbaby4885 · 09-17-2004, 11:56 AM

Maybe ear mites? Try putting sweet oil in them. It has always worked for us. And my friend's dog was having problems similar to yours...we told our friend to do this w/ their lab(b/c their vet was not helping) and it stopped bothering him and he has been fine ever since. The blood might be from where he scratches them maybe??? I hope this helps. If that doesn't work there must be somthing wrong...go see a different vet for a second opinion.

***Carrie*** · 09-17-2004, 12:33 PM

If it's a yeast infection (overgrowth) and it's inflamed, the vinagar will burn. But if it's not red and sore looking, that shouldn't hurt. I've had lots of this with my Lab. If that's what it is, a vet should prescribe Ottomax then once it's under control and nice looking, you can use vinigar to keep the ph at a better level.

If it's ear mites and it's bad, you'll see some very, very black crud come out on the q-tip. But sometimes they are way deep and you don't want to dig down too far. Better to let a vet do that.

What did your vet do to check him. Did he tell you what he was looking for?

Sometimes a little grass seed or something gets imbedded in there and will drive them nuts. And sometimes even start up a little infection or encapsulated infection like a boil.

Something must be wrong for him to be shaking and scratching his ears. So, I'd definitely persist in getting an answer. Good luck and let us know.

Carrie

09-17-2004, 09:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
bconroy shepherd Plot Hound Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Ellsworth, Maine Posts: 1 Rep Power: 77	Head shaking/ear problem? I have a two year old dog who seems to have an ear problem. He shakes his head for much of the night. Several trips to the vet have revealed no evident infection. However, daily wiping out of the ear always reveals some dried blood. Recently I have used a small square cosmetic pads moistened with warm water for the swabbing, which seems to give slight relief. The vet has been unwilling to prescribe medication because of no evident infection. I have to do something for the poor dog. I have no idea if the problem even originates in his ears.

09-17-2004, 10:57 AM	#3 (permalink)
dollface 4 Boston Terriers Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Canada Saskatchewan Posts: 903 Rep Power: 101	I agree I would visit another vet clinic and see someone else. A dog does not do that for no reason....You can also use warm water with lil vinigar, put a cotton swab in the water vinigar and get it wet, not soaking but just a lil damp and clean the ear out...I was told to do this with Tiva by my vet because her ear was a little red and irritated. Definatley see another vet.
	__________________ The only thing worse then a fool Is the person that argue's with one A dog is only as smart as their owner

09-17-2004, 11:48 AM	#4 (permalink)
Lil'Paws ~w/Dachshund~ Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: ~Western~NC~ Posts: 1,662 Rep Power: 118	I agree with Carrie and Dollface. Something has to be wrong..For him to keep doing this..
	__________________ ~ Dachshund means Love ~

09-17-2004, 11:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
moonbaby4885 Cute Puppy Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: USA(South Carolina) Posts: 205 Rep Power: 81	Maybe ear mites? Try putting sweet oil in them. It has always worked for us. And my friend's dog was having problems similar to yours...we told our friend to do this w/ their lab(b/c their vet was not helping) and it stopped bothering him and he has been fine ever since. The blood might be from where he scratches them maybe??? I hope this helps. If that doesn't work there must be somthing wrong...go see a different vet for a second opinion.
	__________________

09-17-2004, 10:17 AM	#2 (permalink)
*Carrie* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: north panhandle of Idaho Posts: 7,415 Rep Power: 285	I'd see another vet. Is the ear red and moist looking? He could have a yeast overgrowth. He could have a foreign body in his ear. When you dig down (carefully) with a Q-tip do you get any black looking dirt. I mean black, not brown.

09-17-2004, 12:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
*Carrie* Super Moderator Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: north panhandle of Idaho Posts: 7,415 Rep Power: 285	If it's a yeast infection (overgrowth) and it's inflamed, the vinagar will burn. But if it's not red and sore looking, that shouldn't hurt. I've had lots of this with my Lab. If that's what it is, a vet should prescribe Ottomax then once it's under control and nice looking, you can use vinigar to keep the ph at a better level. If it's ear mites and it's bad, you'll see some very, very black crud come out on the q-tip. But sometimes they are way deep and you don't want to dig down too far. Better to let a vet do that. What did your vet do to check him. Did he tell you what he was looking for? Sometimes a little grass seed or something gets imbedded in there and will drive them nuts. And sometimes even start up a little infection or encapsulated infection like a boil. Something must be wrong for him to be shaking and scratching his ears. So, I'd definitely persist in getting an answer. Good luck and let us know. Carrie

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