dogs and ear problems

[juls1155]

I have been treating my own animals for quite some time. I have been having a big problem with my dog's ears. I have given them injectable antibiotics and then oral. I have gone through tons of ear mite meds. I learned I may be dealing with a fungus. I was given a fungal creme that I applied to their ears. Nothing seems to work and I don't have the $ for a vet (unemployed and living in America). Any ideas?

[terambulan]

Ear mites are tiny spidery parasites. Pet shops sell treatment.

http://www.petsbestrx.com/EarMites/?gclid=CNW8 tvap0JYCFRyS1Qod8VyK2Q

[gelda]

With all the money you have spent on medication it probably would have been cheaper to take them to a vet, I'm sorry to say this but you really shouldn't have animals if you can't afford to keep them, aren't there any animal charities that would help you with the treatment.

[woofgang]

when my dog had an untreatrable ear problem, it turned out to be a symptom of diabetes PLEASE get your pet to a vet!!!

[juls1155]

Gee, thanks for your help and attitude! These dogs needed a home when I got them and I was employed! Now that I know this is just another place for people to sit on their thrones and look down on others with out knowing the circumstances I will not be back. I needed helpful advice< I got ingnorance.

[Clanad]

Give the naysayers never no mind, juls... I too, live in the U.S. and I'm glad you've provided a good home... Don't we all have unexpected changes in our lives?
Now, to your problem. Firstly... try to determine that it's actually mites you're dealing with. I live in the intermountain area of western U.S. and have working dogs here on the ranch that we home-treat very successfully for some time. Take a piece of tissue paper, Kleenex type stuff and wipe as deeply into the ear as the dog will let you. Place the tissue in a bright light and watch it for a little bit. If some of the residue begins to move and appear to be pinhead size little critters, then you have ear mites. Do you have cats as well? The mites migrate from one animal to the other so other pets should be treated as well.
Next, any topical OTC treatment for fleas will work. You know how sometimes kids get lice infestations at school? The same treatment will work for ear mites. RID is just one of many brand names and it's inexpensive.
Just like the kids and nits, cut the hair around the ear as short as you can. Keep the treatment working for at least ten days, two weeks is even better. The intial treatment will kill the mites but won't do anything for the eggs that will hatch so keeping the treatment up will kill the hatchlings.
Check around the ear opening to see if their are any tiny,whitish nodules clinging to to the hair near the roots... eggs are what you're looking for. If so, comb them out to cut down on the rehatch numbers.

If it turns out to be fungus... well, that's another story... simple solution but try this resoulution first... best of luck!

[jules77]

Good on you for giving your dogs a home when they needed it. But, from experience some years ago with a dog with a persistent ear problem, and an incompetent vet who was treating her initially for mites, and then infection, it turned out after an examination under GA she had a perforated ear drum. I would strongly urge you to find a way of seeing a vet for a proper examination.

[woolleysheep]

gelda does apply to people to, if they cant afford to keep themselves should they be put down or is that against the law ?good luck with the problem ears juls,hope you soon find employment

[juls1155]

Thank-you so much to the people who tried to give me good advice. Little do others realize but, just so you wonderful people that do really care know , I would like to tell you more. I live in a rural area where many dogs and cats are dumped. I have taken so many and have had them fixed. Some I found homes for and some are here. When I get a chance I volenteer at a wildlife sanctuary near by. I am constantly on the internet when I'm home to find things they need. I have used my gas and my truck to pick up well needed things that I found for free. Yes I do have cats and have also treated them. I also learned that mites can be found on the anus. By the way I also have a horse and use to have many so when you get those negative responses to a sincere ? for help it hurts and ****** me off. So thanks again for the ones that realize it's not a perfect world and some of us really want to help the animals! To the rest, go pet your over bred foo foo dogs! Sorry I know that sounded mean and a generalsation, which I depise but, anger got the best of me.

[woofgang]

I hope you weren't offended by my post...we nearly lost our dog due to undiagnosed diabetes, even the vets we went to didn't make the link between a fungal infection that wouldn't clear and rocketing sugar levels, yet in human there's a known link

[juls1155]

No, not by yours but, right now I really can't take them to a vet. You have to have money for that. I was offended by the one that said I shouldn't have animals and assumed I spent more money on meds than what a vet would cost. How does this individual know where the meds came from. Just assuming, I resent assuming, it's just plain ingnorant. If someone is here asking for advice they don't need judgement by others because of their ingnorant assumptions. I don't any other way to say it. This is suppose to be a helpful site. It seemed you were trying to be helpful. I right now have giving lot's of advice to the lady who runs the sanctuary. She just got in some very neglected horses and she doesn't know a lot about horses. The sheriff in conjunction with animal control brought them to her. Maybe this assuming individual thinks those horses shouldn't be there. They are doing much better and no vet has been around. Sorry this is long winded but, that one reply really hit a sore note.

[juls1155]

No, not by yours but, right now I really can't take them to a vet. You have to have money for that. I was offended by the one that said I shouldn't have animals and assumed I spent more money on meds than what a vet would cost. How does this individual know where the meds came from. Just assuming, I resent assuming, it's just plain ingnorant. If someone is here asking for advice they don't need judgement by others because of their ingnorant assumptions. I don't know any other way to say it. This is suppose to be a helpful site. It seemed you were trying to be helpful. I right now have been giving lot's of advice to the lady who runs the sanctuary. She just got in some very neglected horses and she doesn't know a lot about horses. The sheriff in conjunction with animal control brought them to her. Maybe this assuming individual thinks those horses shouldn't be there. They are doing much better and no vet has been around. Sorry this is long winded but, that one reply really hit a sore note.