JustAnswer > Dog
Ask A Question|Register|Login|Help
JustAnswer

Dog

Ask a Dog Question, Get an Answer ASAP!

Have your own Dog question?

16 Vets and Dog Experts are Online Now
characters left:
Not a Dog Question?

Related Dog Topics:

  • Cat
  • ,
  • Boy
  • ,
  • Dog
  • ,
  • Cut
  • ,
  • Ear
  • ,
  • May
  • ,
  • Oil
  • ,
  • Mix
  • ,
  • Pet
  • ,
  • Vet
Bookmark and Share

Question

My cocker spaniel keeps on shaking his head and scratching/rubbing his ears and hangs his head on one side and is obviously very distressed but the Vet cannot find any signs of infection and says it is an allergy problem and told us to give him Piritin. We have been doing this for some weeks now but he is still the same. Can you help please? Please send to my correct email address which is: XXXXX@XXXXXX.XXX

Submitted: 167 days and 7 hours ago.
Category: Dog
Value: $14
Status: CLOSED
+
Read More

Optional Information

Age: 11; Male; Breed: cocker spaniel

Already Tried:
Piritin,

Posted by Terri Riba 167 days and 6 hours ago.

Answer

Hi Bev,

 

I am sorry your boy is having this problem. I do not think it is allergy related. He may have an ear infection, abscessed tooth or a Vestibular issue.

 

His actions are symtoms of pain or discomfort.

 

 

It sounds like your baby does have a painful ear infection. He will benefit from a corn and guten free diet and some natural solutions.

I printed this for you:

" Ear infections are very common in dogs, although less so in cats. Two types are most often seen: otitis externa, infection of the external ear canal, and otitis media, infection of the middle ear. Although any dog or cat can get an ear infection, some breeds appear to be more prone than others. Dogs with pendulous ears, like Cocker Spaniels and Basset Hounds, or dogs with hairy inner ear flaps, like Miniature Poodles and Schnauzers, tend to have a higher occurrence of ear infections. In cats, the Persian breed seems to be more prone to such infections.

Most ear infections are easily and successfully treated. But if left untreated, they could result in serious damage.

Causes
Bacteria or yeast are most often the culprits of otitis externa. Other causes include an accumulation of wax, thick or matted hair in the ear canal, debris, a foreign body, a tumor or impaired drainage of the ear. Sometimes, infections of the external ear canal are a secondary result of some other bodily infection or ear mite infestation.

Otitis media usually results from the spread of infection from the external ear canal to the middle ear. Also, foreign bodies, debris, ulceration or improper ear cleaning can rupture the eardrum and allow infection to reach the middle ear"

Here is the rest of the link:
http://www.healthypet.com/library_view.aspx?ID=27 .

Use white vinegar and water 50/50 mixture to dab on and in the ear to help with pain and itching.

Here is a list of natural solutions that I printed for you from a link:

Natural solutions

Clean the ears with vinegar. If your pet's ears are filled with brownish-pink wax, there is a good chance that allergies have caused a yeast infection. To clear up yeast infections, clean the ears thoroughly.

Veterinarians often recommend using white vinegar (also called acetic acid), because it removes dirt and debris and helps restore a healthy chemical balance in the ears. Diluted vinegar works well. When using vinegar, pour a small amount into the ear canal, massage the area, then gently wipe the inside of the ear with a cotton ball. Do this once a day until the ear is better.

Stop infections with pau d'arco. The herb pau d'arco, which comes from the inner bark of a South American tree, is a natural antibiotic that quickly kills fungi and bacteria. At the first sign of infection, mix equal parts pau d'arco tincture and mineral oil and put several drops in your pet's ears. Give the drops two or three times a day for several days.

Reduce inflammation with vitamin C. The adrenal glands produce a natural steroid that can help reduce inflammation when ears get infected. Giving pets vitamin C can help the adrenal glands work more efficiently. Pets weighing under 15 pounds can take between 100 and 250 milligrams of vitamin C a day. Cats and dogs 15 to 50 pounds can take 250 to 500 milligrams a day, and larger dogs can take 500 milligrams two or three times a day. Vitamin C can cause diarrhea, so you may have to cut back the dose until you find an amount that your pet will tolerate.

Eliminate toxins with a healthy, all-natural diet. Giving your pet a healthy, homemade diet or high-quality commercial food that doesn't contain corn, additives or preservatives can greatly reduce the amount of wax that the ears produce while also helping to boost the immune system.

Air out the ears. Increasing air circulation inside the ears can control the growth of bacteria, yeast and fungi. Trim or pluck hair inside the ears periodically to allow more air to get inside.

Strengthen the digestive tract. Supplements such as bromelain and quercetin (with bromelain) can help prevent an allergic response in the gastrointestinal tract, making food allergies less of a problem.

Here is the source:

http://www.naturalfamilyonline.com/go/index.php/419/dog-ear-infections/

These products are all available in a human health store.I have used the white vinegar and vitamin C myself with great success.

He may become nauseated due to a vestibular disorder:

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_vestibular_disease.html

I hope the natural solutions give him relief very soon.

Please let me know how your baby is feeling. I will always be here for both of you.

Sincerest best wishes,

Terri

167 days and 6 hours ago.

Reply

I have been to my vet (s) several time and they say it is definitely not an ear infection - so sign at all of any infection so not sure I agree with what you say (he has seen 3 different vets who all say the same). They say it is an allergy (similar to hayfever) hence them suggesting we try Piriton.

Posted by Terri Riba 167 days and 6 hours ago.

Answer

Hi Bev,

 

The probelm is he seems in pain with the head shaking and scratching. He is going to develope an aural hematoma of the ear if this does not stop.

 

http://www.thepetcenter.com/sur/hema.html

 

You can try the Piriton

 

http://www.superliving.co.uk/pharmacy/your-health/allergies/hay-fever/piriton-allergy-4mg-30-tablets-p-2.html

 

If he does not get relief try the natural remedies.......they can't hurt.

 

I hope he is better very soon.

 

Best wishes for him,

 

Terri

Accepted Answer

Hi Bev,

 

The probelm is he seems in pain with the head shaking and scratching. He is going to develope an aural hematoma of the ear if this does not stop.

 

http://www.thepetcenter.com/sur/hema.html

 

You can try the Piriton

 

http://www.superliving.co.uk/pharmacy/your-health/allergies/hay-fever/piriton-allergy-4mg-30-tablets-p-2.html

 

If he does not get relief try the natural remedies.......they can't hurt.

 

I hope he is better very soon.

 

Best wishes for him,

 

Terri

Picture
Expert: Terri Riba
Pos. Feedback: 99.8 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 6/8/2009

Healthcare Expert

Expert in canine health and behavior. 20 years of experience with dogs

+
Read More

Related Dog Questions

  • I have two Labs, one chocolate and one black, ...
  • we have a very sick yorkie 8 weeks old er last night with ...
  • Hello I have six chickens at home, How canI tell which ...
  • are nuts bad for dogs
  • I have an 8 yr old bullmastiff, that has neck swelling.
  • how much are the injections for dogs
  • Why is my do not eating or drinking much
  • what is the best way to take care of my bloodhounds ...



Disclaimer: Information in questions, answers, and other posts on this site ("Posts") comes from individual users, not JustAnswer; JustAnswer is not responsible for Posts. Posts are for general information, are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (medical, legal, veterinary, financial, etc.), or to establish a professional-client relationship. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty or representations by JustAnswer regarding the qualifications of Experts. To see what credentials have been verified by a third-party service, please click on the "Verified" symbol in some Experts' profiles. JustAnswer is not intended or designed for EMERGENCY questions which should be directed immediately by telephone or in-person to qualified professionals.
Question List | Become an Expert | Terms of Service | Security & Privacy | About Us
© 2003-2009 JustAnswer Corp.