My 15 year old mixed-cocker dog and terrible swollen shut ears...?

Question

Mabel has had ear infections due to the peculiar makeup of cocker-type ears for-forever. One vet cleaned them with a water pik while she was sedated, she's been on antibiotics, some suggested remedies have worked for awhile, and I clean them as best I can--they're puffy inside and smelly and full of black yeasty stuff. My vet said she really needs the total ear oblation (I think) where surgeons remove the entire inner ear, as I understand it. She shakes her head, whimpers, rubs them and has even hit her ears so hard on a wall that they became swollen with blood that required draining. The operation is some $1500.00. That's just impossible for me. Even the vet said she wouldn't do it for her own dog (maybe just to make me feel better). I give her enteric aspirin some days or a benedryl, I've used over the counter and prescribed solutions and ointments. Just bought another one today--Sulfodene Ear Cleaner with Aloe, but it contains alcohol-which stings. Any ideas? I'm desperate & DONE.

Answer 1

I have never experienced that difficult of a problem but I use this and it doesn't seem to sting or hurt at all.

http://www.amazon.com/Zymox-1-25-Otic-Enzymatic-Solution/dp/B0002XIYXA/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2/105-4025845-1654823?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1191816133&sr=8-2

I don't know if it will work and you should always ask your vet but other people seem to like it as well. Good luck and I hope your dog feels better.

Answer 2

Hi, I had cockers for many years and unfortunately yeast infections in the ears are extremely common. I used to clean my dog's ears with a prescription ear cleaner (can't remember now) and then made sure they were completely dry. Then I used an ointment called Otomax in her ears. Make a sock ear holder to hold her ears back to help the air circulate better- cut both ends out of a tube sock and pull her ears back and slip the sock over both ears. The swelling should go down as well. Has your vet done an ear culture on her? just to find out the specific nasty that is there?? Sometimes it takes multiple treatments of ear packing in order to clear up some of those infections. (they pack the ears with gauze that is infused with the correct medicine after the ears have been cleaned and medicated) Good luck!

Answer 3

I've been involved with cockers for most of my life, but I havn't had a cocker with bad ears. (really...this is true. maybe it's because I have had well bred cockers) I did know someone who's cocker had this problem as well....they went ahead a had the surgery...said thier dogs personality totally changed...once a quiet mopey dog...turned happy and puppy like. During my years as a professional groomer, I also saw ears like this from time to time and the owners would resort to the surgery as well. But, there were times I saw that the ears still had an odor and still had infections. I think it may be how the surgery is done.

You need to treat the infection from the inside as well as the outside. It looks like you have done a lot to try to cure the problem...but I'm not so sure it will work completely. The infection will always come back. It's all in the size of the opening of the ear canal. If air can't get to it, the ear stays damp and moist...a perfect breeding ground for yeast and bacteria.
I would talk to your vet about the surgery and see if she could work out a payment plan. The surgery could make you and the dog a lot happier. Just think of what he is feeling. I used to have ear infections as a kid...and to this day...I can remember how it felt to have an ear infection...painful. Think about how your dog would feel if he didn't have to feel this pain and discomfort anymore.

Sorry about not having any great ideas...but I think you've done all that you can do. Just think of all the money you are spending on cleaners, ointment, antibiotics, vet visits. You could put the money into the surgery and for the rest of the dogs life, he would be healthy and happy. I've seen this surgery work...just make sure the vet is experienced in doing this type of surgery. If done right, it will work. I really feel for you. Good luck.

Edit: I'm sorry...I was paying so much attention to your details....I overlooked the age of your dog. Unfortunatley, I wouldn't spend the money for surgery at this age. This is terrible....I don't know what to say now....I would take itialiangreyhound's answer and think seriously about that. I know it's probably not a decision that you want to think of, but it's one you should consider. Has your dogs ears become worse with age? Sometimes, when they get this old, thier immune system doesn't work as well and it's harder for them to fight off infection. I think using the treatments you have been using....antibiotics, ears cleaners and ointment is all you really have now to make her comfortable. I feel for you...I just lost my 15 year old cocker and I know it's hard after so many years.

Answer 4

Have you talked to the vet about a payment plan? Have you talked to any other vet on this matter? Some vets will do this but if this is not an option you might want to put your thinking cap on to figure just how to raise the money. You could put a jar at places with your puppies picture on it explaining why you need help. You can also raise money by having a yard sale by asking relatives, friends and neighbors to donate items or come shop and explain why you doing so, most kind hearted people will buy something or donate something even if it is small to help.

If raising money for the operation is not a option I would think about the overall happiness of your dog, and if you could stand watching her in so much pain. I never heard of having to put a dog down from ear problems but if you are left no choice it may be better for the dog.

Answer 5

My black lab mix had his ears hemotoma too (fill with blood). We had the surgery done on his ear, but my Aunt who had the same problem with her dog did nothing and it did go away just fine.

Also, My dogs had the same smelly black yeast like stuff in their ears, each year we would spend a lot of $$ to get them antibiotics. Then we found a cheaper & easier solution. They are "alergic" to corn (actually, dogs cannot digest corn and most will develop this ear problem). And almost every dog food has corn in it as a filler. Once we switched to a food that did not contain corn the problem was solved within the month! We feed a brand called Nutro. It's cheaper than some of the others, yet is a very good food and they seem to like it. We feed them the dry and the wet. I hope this helps!

Answer 6

Mix together a solution of 1/3 cup of witch hazel,1/3 cup of white vinegar and 1/3 cup distilled water.Wash her ears out with it twice a day.Feed her 1/2 cup plain,unsweetened yogurt everyday.Use a men's sock,or the sleeve from a shirt to make a headband.Slip it over her ears to hold them back,so that the canal is exposed to the air.Use white athletic tape to help hold it in place if you have to.Ask your vet if he/she can get ahold of some "McKillip's Powder" ( this is used for livestock.)Put the powder in the ears after they've been cleaned and are thoroughly dry.Do the cleaning,powdering and airing everyday,and feed the yogurt,and the ears should improve.Good luck with this very frustrating problem.Oh,and the McKillip's is cheap.Here's a link so you can order some yourself.
http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?ccd=IDW003&pgguid=ed23c0ab-4806-40c2-a144-1afda6dc2234

Edit: A lot of people are mentioning her age.I know that a lot of 15 year - old dogs are not in good shape,but this is not always the case.My own 15 year old dachshund/cocker mix just had surgery for a cancerous tumor between his toes,and while he was under,he had his teeth cleaned and 4 teeth pulled,and he's fine.And,my neighbor's 15 year old poodle was in terrible pain and sick from 8 abcsessed teeth.I told her that he was going to get very sick and probably die from it,and was suffering from the pain,so she chose to have his teeth pulled and cleaned.He's doing so much better,now.He's eating better and has gained weight,and he's not in pain anymore.So,age isn't always a factor,but it is something to think about.

Answer 7

they are probably so swollen shut you won't get much medication in there. A friend used an aloe plant that she scraped the soft insides out, put as much as you can in the ear...
it's very drying...good luck.
I personally think it is related to
the food they eat.

Answer 8

Your dog is already 15 years old and going through a lot of stuff that probably makes her feel like crap and a lot of pain. It may be time for her to go to a better place. 15 years is long...Just think about it..you don't have to but its always a suggestion

Answer 9

Take it too the vet, it sounds like its got ear lice