[Dailydrool] More on Chronic Ear Infections

[Pat Dill]

Sampson, whom we adopted last August from Tri-State Basset Hound Rescue, was 
determined by the kennel vet to need a total ear canal ablation based on 
them not having been able to control a chronic ear infection after almost 
four months of oral and topical antibiotic treatment.  Tri-State offered to 
have the surgery done before we adopted him, but we chose to bring him home 
and address the issue with our own vet.

After examining Sampson, he explained to us what a serious and painful 
operation the ear canal ablation is for a dog and suggested we had little to 
lose by trying one more treatment.  He makes up a special ear wash that is 
standard T8 Solution laced with Baytril, and he instructed us to use it 
faithfully, morning and evening, for two months and to report his progress. 
At that time, Sampson was rubbing and scratching his right ear endlessly and 
yelped when we tried to clean it.  Two months later, the symptoms were 
almost completely gone and the vet said that although there were still some 
signs of bacteria in the ear it was definitely worth continuing.  He said 
that if the ear is still infected the next time we bring her in he will 
culture it.  If the bacteria are resistant by then to the Baytril, we can 
try another antibiotic in the ear wash.  Sampson has gotten so used to the 
procedure that he never troubles us about it.  Except for an occasional 
tenderness in the affected ear if we rub it a bit too hard, he seems fine, 
certainly not in need of surgery.

We are thrilled because we haven't had to subject him to an expensive and 
painful operation.  It might be worth asking your vet about.

Does anyone else find the topical antibiotic with the really long plastic 
"applicator" annoying?  Our guys seem to find that it tickles when you are 
trying to stick it in their ear canals and even though it must be designed 
to get more ointment inside, our guys fight it much harder than just 
splashing in liquid ear wash and squishing it around.

Hope someone finds this helpful.

Pat Dill
Proud to be loved by Rosie (I'm 14), Bailey (my ears are always filthy), 
Sampson (my ears are feeling much better now) and Lucy (I'm still new here)