Remi just got back from the vet for his first (and hopefully last) ear infection. Unfortunately, my regular vet was closed so I had to take him to someone new. They knocked him out, cleaned out his ears and put him on steroids, antibiotics and a cream.

He didn't say what caused it, but that there was fluid in his ears (you could actually hear it when you rubbed them). He did say that it might be an allergy and recommended that I switch to ScienceDiet (of course). I haven't switched him yet...What is everyone elses experience with ear infections in GSDs?

On the upside, he's 65lbs now (will be 10 months on December 2nd) and the vet commented on his excellent temperment... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Not an expert on ear infections, mine has never had one, but IMO, do NOT put him on Science Diet. Just read the ingredients. You can almost do better buying grocery store brands. Even their "natural" formula is a big bag of corn and by-products, if I remember correctly. Vets love to push that stuff because the company underwrites med schools. I feed mostly raw, and my dogs NEVER have to go to the vet for pesky things like ear infections. Just my 2 cents. Out of curiosity, what were you feeding him?

Yeah, the vets push that stuff pretty hard (hence my "of course") and I'll never put him on that stuff. When he was a little pup he came from the breeder eating BilJac, then I put him on the Innova large breed puppy formula a few months ago. I guess it's possible he's allergic to something in there. Since he's almost 10 months old I was thinking of switching him to adult food. I do give him a childrens chewable multi-vitamin every day as well...he loves it but I wonder if that might be a problem for him..

It is pretty cute though, the kids (and remi) line up as soon as I open the cupboard in the morning. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Just went to Science Diet's site, and sure enough, their Natures's Best has "Ground whole grain corn, chicken by-product meal"-as the FIRST ingredients-not great stuff, especially for a dog with allergies. They may have suggested the lamb and rice, but that also has corn. For a few months before I had my dog, he was eating a food with corn in it, and he had hotspots. They started to go away about a week after switching him to raw. Ear infections can be caused by allergies (grew up w/cockers-notorious ear-infection sufferers), but IMO, a food with corn meal and chicken by-product meal isn't the answer.

While I was furiously typing, I guess you were replying. I supplement raw with Innova sometimes, and I haven't had any similar problems, but even Innova has different formulas. If this is the first ear infection, who knows what caused it? I probably wouldn't be quick to change his diet unless it happens again. More than one could be an allergy problem, but just one? I'm not a vet, but I think ANYONE can get an ear infection just once, and this vet's going a little overboard. Did he absolutely HAVE to knock him out to clean his ears? If I were you I'd get a second opinion from your regualr vet who knows his hisory.

Who knows, maybe the vet just wanted his 300 bucks to get another Xmas present for his wife...All I know is that Remi was hurting pretty badly (seemed to go downhill fast) and I couldn't stand to watch him shake his head and whine anymore. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> Either way, he seems to be no worse for the wear and I'll definately take him into the regular vet on Monday. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I guess I just wanted to know if this was typical or not(ear infections), since he is my first purebred GSD. I've had lots of other dogs who never got ear infections...

For whatever reason all my dogs (GSD's) have yeast infections in their ears about 1 or twice a year, possibly due to somthing in the air. I keep Zymot(sp?) ear drops (basically a steriod)on hand and as soon as they start to mess with their ears and I see the redness, one dose and we are done until next time.

I had one male GSD who had chronic yeast infections, coincidentally was also my one shepherd who would develop allergies to his food about every 12-18 months. He would actually have the fluid build-up in his ears. I switched to Canidae and the ear infections and allergies all went away.

Good luck.

Linda

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Who knows, maybe the vet just wanted his 300 bucks to get another Xmas present for his wife...All I know is that Remi was hurting pretty badly (seemed to go downhill fast) and I couldn't stand to watch him shake his head and whine anymore.

A dog already in enough pain to vocalize about an ear infection would have suffered terribly with an unanesthetized deep cleaning of the ear. The ear is inflamed enough to cause pain already, hence the whining and head-shaking. IMO, the vet had to knock him out by the time it was that bad; there would really be no question.

An early detection (inflammation observed; no whining or head-shaking yet, etc.) is different.

The cause often is allergies, but not always. The thing to watch out for would be OTHER symptoms of allergy: itching, inflammation around the toes or groin or armpits, licking at the pads, hot spots, etc. If you see those symptoms, then you'll want to discuss allergy treatment -- not with a vet who recommended Science Diet, IMO, because that vet hasn't kept up with allergy treatment.

I'm not a health professional. I do know a lot about canine allergies and nutrition, but it's strictly from research and personal experience.

BTW, canine food allergies are far less frequent that inhalant (or environmental) allergies. The thing is that food allergies are so much easier to eliminate than inhalants, and also that food allergies can have such overwhelming symptoms because of the continuous ingestion of the allergen(s).

I think the ear-drops you mean are ZYMOX which is available with or without hydrocortisone, and I have seen it very highly recommended, although I have not used it on my dog.

Thanks Roger, yes it is Zymox, sorry for the mis-spelling.