Hello,
Related to this thread:
http://www.board.cavaliertalk.com/showthread.php?t=30171
Basil is 18 months old. For the first 6 months of us having him, he was always at the VET with ear infections. Antibiotics would be applied, they would be cleaned out, and then a few months later, it would flair up again.
We thought we were past it, and went a whole 9 months without infection. Then all of a sudden, it has come back to bite us.
This time, at our NEW vet, he took a different approach. He first of all refused to look inside the ear with an Otoscope, saying it would only aggravate the dog. He instead said rather than go round in circles with medication, he should simply proceed to surgery and half a partial ablation on both ears. He explained this would involve firstly blitzing the ears to remove the infection, and then the surgery would be performed on one ear at a time over a period of 6 weeks. It involves having the dogs face shaved, and I believe part of the ear canal (vertical section) is removed. This makes it much easier to avoid infection in the future.
Now, I decided NOT to proceed with his recommendation and instead asked that he prescribe a strong suit of medication, as well as a thorough clean out. Turns out, upon doing the clean out (today), he did not opt to clean the vertical section.
He said this will not provide a cure, nor will the medication we have to give our dog for the next week or so. He says the best we can hope for is a very decent remission, and perhaps a long period of respite. He is certain though that we will need to return due to future ear problems, and he often reckons the longer we opt out of surgery, the harder it will be for him to do the surgery effectively.
Lastly, I asked if there was anything we could do at home to ensure as hygienic ears as possible. He replied "Do nothing, you will only make it worse".
Confused and in need of some practical advice, if not, just some moral support.
Not enjoying this. I still think it is extremely important to investigate HOW to best look after my dogs ear hygiene, surely there are things I can do to minimize the risk of a reoccurring ear infection. Have you any hints or tips?
Gary.
Related to this thread:
http://www.board.cavaliertalk.com/showthread.php?t=30171
Basil is 18 months old. For the first 6 months of us having him, he was always at the VET with ear infections. Antibiotics would be applied, they would be cleaned out, and then a few months later, it would flair up again.
We thought we were past it, and went a whole 9 months without infection. Then all of a sudden, it has come back to bite us.
This time, at our NEW vet, he took a different approach. He first of all refused to look inside the ear with an Otoscope, saying it would only aggravate the dog. He instead said rather than go round in circles with medication, he should simply proceed to surgery and half a partial ablation on both ears. He explained this would involve firstly blitzing the ears to remove the infection, and then the surgery would be performed on one ear at a time over a period of 6 weeks. It involves having the dogs face shaved, and I believe part of the ear canal (vertical section) is removed. This makes it much easier to avoid infection in the future.
Now, I decided NOT to proceed with his recommendation and instead asked that he prescribe a strong suit of medication, as well as a thorough clean out. Turns out, upon doing the clean out (today), he did not opt to clean the vertical section.
He said this will not provide a cure, nor will the medication we have to give our dog for the next week or so. He says the best we can hope for is a very decent remission, and perhaps a long period of respite. He is certain though that we will need to return due to future ear problems, and he often reckons the longer we opt out of surgery, the harder it will be for him to do the surgery effectively.
Lastly, I asked if there was anything we could do at home to ensure as hygienic ears as possible. He replied "Do nothing, you will only make it worse".
Confused and in need of some practical advice, if not, just some moral support.
Not enjoying this. I still think it is extremely important to investigate HOW to best look after my dogs ear hygiene, surely there are things I can do to minimize the risk of a reoccurring ear infection. Have you any hints or tips?
Gary.