Yes I have been doing the ZYMOX but I think the key is that the infection isnt gone so its having very little affect. I will keep it on hand though for once we get this thing under control.

Thanks for your advice.

Lois

Lois, we had a golden a few years ago who got horrendous yeast infections in her ears all the time - until we started using that ear wash that Melissa suggested. It completely got rid of the infection, and then I used it as a maintainance wash once or twice a month and she never got them again. Now we have an allergy male golden, 3 yrs old, and I use it to flush his ears once or twice a month and my derma vet can't believe he has NEVER had an ear infection! She said to keep using it for sure. We also use it on the underside of his paws where he chews from itching to keep bacteria and yeast from happening there too. It was a miracle for us. The 'official website for this earwash is http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/BLUE.HTM. It tells you exactly how to use correctly and everything. We had trouble finding the genetian violet (which is a natural antibacterial, anti-yeast drop), but learned that a compounding pharmacy can often order it for you - same with the boric acid powder.

Good luck, it can be frustrating.

Another vote for the purple gentian ear wash. I use it on my Lab after he swims or whenever I notice his ear is bothering him. Knock on wood, he hasn't had a major ear infection since I started using the stuff, which was initially suggested by my vet.

An Update on Max:

Ok, so I got the name of a specialist and had an appointment scheduled for tomorrow for Max. I then got a call this morning to cancel due to his father passing away. They are going to call to reschedule.

Not sure what direction this is going to take because this morning Max had a seizure. We had been outside and he was acting really clingy with me,when we came inside it happened.

I called the original vet immediately and took him in. The vet looked in his ear and said that yes he has a very bad infection. Then he went on to talk about doing blood work to determine the cause of the seizure and I could schedule an appointment to come back to discuss those findings and so on and so on. I stopped him and said but couldnt the seizure be due to this bad infection...I mean what if his ear drum has burst and the infection is in his brain??? I asked the he sedate him today and see what the heck is going on in there. he agreed to do that.

So this is where we are now:

Sedated and cleaned out all the gunk.

Ear drum is intact with no ruptures, but so much swelling within the canal itself.

Previcox- one per day for fourteen days for swelling
Ketoconazole- two- two times per day to fight yeast infection

All blood work was normal- hes not sure what caused the seizures.

No flushing for fourteen days till swelling goes down.

he doesnt want me using the gretian violet solution- says it sounds too harsh ( despite tons of testimonials online to the contrary!)Wants me to use what he sells- Epi-Otic.

Wants him off ALL raw - his words-" Thats a very dangerous diet!" but this is the guy that said Purina was a 'good food'

Ugh! I dont trust this vet but couldnt wait for the other to be able to see Max. I am new to this area and dont know any others.

Whats your suggestion at this point? Should I pursue the specialist? Has anyone heard of a dog having seizures due to an ear infection?

Thanks everyone for your input, appreciated!

Yes, a very bad ear infection can trigger what looks like a seizure (as well as actual seizures from infection having reached the brain). Ear infections can also cause neurological damage. (Of course, it's not necessarily the seizure cause.)

I'm relieved that at least what needed to be done, was done.

The suggestions about maintenance are all just that: maintenance. A full-blown infection is more of an emergency than a a home-cure situation. JMO. And yeast overgrowth so often goes hand-in-hand with bacterial infection.

I have seen a dog whose untreated ear infection led to necrosis of the skin all along the head and neck on that side of the dog. And I have adopted a dog who was deaf from repeated ear infections. (The swelling that you mention went down each time, but not all the way. Eventually, there was a much-reduced opening in the canal between the outer and middle ear.)

You have a couple of things going on here, IMO: a vet whose nutrition knowledge (and allergy knowledge) doesn't sound like it has been expanded on since vet school (and remember that allergies are really a specialty) and a dog who is suffering from repeated yeast overgrowth that has an underlying trigger. That underlying trigger can be any of several things, but allergies are by far the most likely (or most common).

I would definitely want an allergy specialist to see the dog. I'd try to get this appointment now so that as soon as the present inflammation/swelling/pain has subsided, he would see the specialist.

I'm so sorry. Having had a bad ear infection or two myself (as well as seen them in allergic dogs), I know that the pain is indescribable. I'm sorry for the dog and you, too, because I know first-hand how frustrating yeast can be. And I've had the experience of a GP vet who knew very little about allergies but who did not suggest a referral. From posts on this board, I have seen that this is a very common situation.

 Quote: Melissa Thom

.... you should consult a vet to knock back the initial infection.

Yes. IMO, when the dog is shaking his head and whining, that is no time for maintenance options. (I'm just saying this for other folks who may be reading the thread.)

I forgot to mention that he may be uncomfortable with chewing for a time. I'd probably get some good commercial canned food or some THK.


eta

Also, sorry I missed this:

 Quote: Lois Miller

... I went back and looked at Dr.s notes and found no mention other then yeast bacteria from the culture.

Does this mean yeast and bacteria?

Edited by Connie Sutherland (11/19/2009 03:56 PM)
Edit reason: eta

No, the note just says yeast bacteria...taken from his clinical notes. I always though yeast was a fungi? Am i correct?

I went and got him some Chicken Soup canned for dinner although I dont think he will eat tonight. Hes passed out right now from the pain medication given at vets and the sedation medications too. I have him in his crate for the night so he can get some rest and Una is outside in the breezeway so she doesnt bother him.

I will schedule the appt with the vet specialist so we can get to the bottom of whatever allergy.

I just poo pooed that vet regarding raw diet...my dogs have been eating raw for about 4 years and they do wonderfully on it. I only switch to chicken soup in the winter months.

Hmmm. I don't know what yeast bacteria means.

Yes, yeast is a fungus, to the best of my knowledge.

Ok so this is where we are at with this damn yeast infection:

Last Thursday Max was sedated and the ear ( right ear only, left is clean as a whistle with NO infection) ws cleaned out.

The membranes of the ear canal are SO swollen that no wash or drops will reach down into the ear canal. Cant use that type of internvention till swelling goes down.

Vet prescribed Previcox and continued Ketaminazole. I have been giving as directed.

No seizures since Thursday.

Last night Max threw up in the middle of the night. Contents was his dinner. Refused morning meal. Today he has thrown up yellow bile x 2. He ate his dinner tonight and so far has kept it down. Bowel movements are very loose, not yet diarrehea but very loose. Gave one Endoscorp for the diarehea. He is still head shaking and scratching his body in several different areas. Hes restless this evening.

I have a call in to the vet specialist but still waiting to hear back. Not sure when he will see patients since his father passed away last week.

Questions:

Do you think Max has some sort of allergy based on the fact that no medicine seems to be working? If he only has it in one ear, would that rule out allergies? ( vet that I have seen seems to think thats the case)

Do symptoms I am seeing now sound like medication side effects or do you think it could be due to sedation meds from Thursday?

Thanks for all your care and concern. I really appreciate it.

Lois