[Dailydrool] Some drool. Lumps bumps and clean ears.

[oakrydgebh at q.com]

Drool for Lulu who's had a lot to deal with here lately. We hope the lump between her toes stays gone. The Dashman had a re-occurring inter digital cyst between the two middle toes on his left front paw. It would show up off and on. Often when he was entered in a dog show of course. We would treat it, it would heal up and go away then out of the blue it would return. After several rounds of different antibiotics and treatments trying to eliminate it Dash had surgery to remove it. As far as I know it hasn't returned since then. Dash lives with his family in California so I haven't seen him for quite a while. 


Drool to all those who have hounds with health problems and to those who have sent their beloved four pawed friends to the bridge recently. It is so hard to know the right thing to say. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. I think we all feel a little better knowing Elder Clara is there to greet them and get them settled in once they arrive. I love reading her reports and stories. Keep up the good work Ms Clara. 



Right now, we are dealing with a huge sebaceous cyst on Howie's right hip. It started out fairly small about a year ago and didn't seem to bother him at all so we just kept and eye on it. It was just there. Then a few months ago it started getting bigger but it still wasn't bothering Howie. It just sat there and looked like a big fur covered bump. Over the last couple weeks it filled with fluid then it opened and drained. We think he may have gotten a foxtail in it causing it to fill and rupture. Foxtails are especially prevalent this year. Still, it doesn't seem to be bothering him much. We've kept it clean and it has shrunk down considerably now and is healing up. He's getting some antibiotics just to prevent an infection. We'll be keeping a close eye on it and if it returns he'll probably need to have it removed. My vet has said he doesn't think it's anymore than a typical sebaceous cyst and is probably nothing to worry about. I'll worry anyway. 


About cleaning ears. Most of my basset hounds enjoy the process and rarely have ear problems. I've seen ear infections when there are dental issues. Once with an abcessed tooth that needed pulled and another time when one had a nasal cyst that developed an infection. I generally check inside their ears anytime I'm petting them or trimming nails, cleaning teeth, etc. Some seem to need a complete ear cleaning more often than others. I clean ears using soft tissues and cotton balls. Q tips only in those little pockets that gather dirt and are too small for the cotton balls to get into. I clean out as much of the dirt, wax, etc. as I can then I use a liquid ear cleaner sold by Drs. Foster and Smith. I've used it for many years. A majority of the time that's all that's needed. A vet once told me years ago to clean out as much dirt and gunk as possible BEFORE putting any type of ear cleaner in the dog's ears and to be sure to dry their ears thoroughly afterwards. She also said not to use ear drying creams or powders as she thought they just make things worse. She said it is the warm damp environment combined with the oils and dirt left in the ear that cause an ear infection. 


Over the years, I recall one basset girl that had ongoing ear issues. She had those thicker ears with tons of little pockets inside that gathered lots of dirt and gunk. I don't think the dirt was being cleaned out adequately before using ear wash and I don't think they wiped her ears dry afterwards. We discussed how her ears were being cleaned and I was told they never had to do that with any of their other dogs. She was eventually returned to me. It took a while but I got them cleared up with antibiotics and by using the blue power ear treatment. I'd never even heard of it until then. I also made ear wash with white vinegar and distilled water back then. I never had anyone develope yeasty ears. I still do this occasionally if their ears smell the least bit yeasty or I run out of the ear wash. I really think that making sure their ears are dry after using ear wash is the key. I've also noticed that it takes more effort to keep super long ears clear of dirt and debris than it does the others. It's like the dirt just crawl up in side from their ears dragging the ground. Clean ears will smell good with no hint of yeast or an oily odor. 


It's also difficult to get someone who has never owned a dog with long hanging ears to understand how important it is to keep a bassets ears clean and dry. They'll often say "he sure shakes his head a lot" and I'll say "when's the last time you cleaned his ears?" The reply is usually "A while ago. I really don't remember". 


I read the digests daily if possible. Posting has been difficult as my computer is needing to be replaced. A lot of times just won't cooperate. 
The Dadslave has had yet another back surgery on May 30th and is back home for another long recovery. This time he has a full upper body brace that he must wear daily for 90 days to allow the fusion that was done to heal completely. He will go back for a check up and to have the stitches removed next week. It is going to be a long summer here I think but he is making better progress this time than he did the last time. Sorry this post is so long. 


Jacqie and the LowDownHounds of Oakrydge 
Tuckerman says "Hey. How ya all doin' ?" 



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