Unfortunately I might be having to take my ESS to the vet for ear problems, looks like mites and yeast infection (?) and the remedies are not helping clear it up completely. Anyway I just started him on Raw about a two weeks ago, and he is currently de-toxing, not too bad though, but I was wondering-how will this affect any medication they give him for it, and should I get his rabies vaccine at this time too? I don’t vaccinate for anything else, and with all these other things going on I don’t feel it is a good idea-part of me wants to wait till he is done de-toxing to see if the ear problem doesn’t clear up, and then take him to the vet if it doesn't. Any suggestions?

 Quote: Dee Dee Strand

Unfortunately I might be having to take my ESS to the vet for ear problems, looks like mites and yeast infection (?) and the remedies are not helping clear it up completely. Anyway I just started him on Raw about a two weeks ago, and he is currently de-toxing, not too bad though, but I was wondering-how will this affect any medication they give him for it, and should I get his rabies vaccine at this time too? I don’t vaccinate for anything else, and with all these other things going on I don’t feel it is a good idea-part of me wants to wait till he is done de-toxing to see if the ear problem doesn’t clear up, and then take him to the vet if it doesn't. Any suggestions?

Rabies: You must have local law about this, and you probably have to comply. If you have a choice, I think that the people who suggest killed over live rabies vaccine are smart.

I'd get the ears checked. If you don't yet know how to ID an inflammation/infection, then I'd take him in. Here's why: Dogs tend to endure rather than vocalize long after a human would be crying with ear infection pain. Also, untreated ear infections are dangerous for a couple of reasons: infection spreading, and also the ear canal thickening and eventually affecting hearing. (I had a rescue who had many allergies leading to secondary ear infections, and when she came to me she was already deaf.)

It's good that you started raw, IMO, but if he had/has an infection already, I'd want to get it treated. I have found that many dogs have combination bacteria/yeast, and that it requires a microscopic exam to sort that out.

After I became very experienced with the look (and smell) of yeast and other infections and with the look of a beginning inflammation, I became confident enough to check the dogs' ears regularly and nip any beginning inflammation in the bud (in dogs prone to allergies and secondary ear infections).

If he has ear mites, they cause pain and itching and can lead quickly to a bacterial infection.

JMO, as a nonprofessional.

OK thanks

If you mean detoxing from kibble to raw, two weeks with no problems should be more than enough time to have completed the switch. A raw diet is great for many reasons, including boosting and maintaining the immune system, improving coat, teeth, breath, energy, etc., but it is not a "cure" for any existing conditions or diseases. If your dog currently has an infection, I suggest you visit the vet soon to get him some relief. Also, the rabies shot should have no bearing on his diet, and vice versa.

One thing you could try along with any meds the vet gives you is to clean the dog's ears out with apple cider vinegar. But, don't use the stuff you get at the market, you have to use the natural vinegar that has what's called the mother in it. You get that at any natural food store. Another natural thing that might help is to put a couple cloves of garlic into a bottle of olive oil. Let it stand over night. Then put a few drops in each ear. The oil is soothing and the garlic has antibiotic properties.

Funny thing is I learned about these remedies because my sister's kids were prone to ear infections and her pediatrician believed in using natural remedies whenever possible.

Well I took him to the vet yesterday and once again it re-affirmed my distaste for vets. It was a yeast infection with the starts of a bacterial infection. Of course I got chew out for having him on RAW she wants him off of it immediately because of the bones and it not being balanced and for not having any shots except for the first 6wk old set of distemper, and right away it is, well when we neuter him he has to have his shots-neuter who the heck even breathed a word of neuter! Seeing that they put him on antibiotics I told em’ no shots and it two weeks I go in for another battle. Anyway end of rant, thanks for the suggestions, seeing that she said he will be prone to ear problems, I will remember them.

A couple of other home remedies my vet suggested (for yeastie beasties)

1. A 50:50 solution of rubbing alcohol and vinegar

2. Vinegar-based douche

3. Gyne-Lotrimin or similar

Guys may need to borrow the last two from female acquaintances