Alternative treatment for chronic ear infections

cyberspi

Hi All,
back story first - I have an 11 year old westie who has been in good health until the last 12 months or so when she has developed ear disease and chronic infections, along with skin yeast infections etc. She is washed twice a week with maleseb to keep the skin healthy. Usually a dose of antibiotic ear drops & steroid would sort the ears but in April she developed an abscess and had to have it opened and drained. That ear has been manageable since with cleaning however the other ear developed an infection within 2 weeks and almost 4 months later it isn't clearing. She has had skin scrapings and ear swabs and all that was there was staph infection - no mites/yeast etc. however the canal is very narrow and hard to clear. Unfortunately she has now also become incontinent, possibly due to the steroids.
she has been on antibiotics (2 different types) and steroids for most of the last 4 months. she has had an antibiotic gel put in her ears every 7 days for the first few weeks but that didn't clear it. She has been put on Apoquel which had no effect and because of the side effects and cost I've asked her to be taken off that again (she never itched to begin with so not sure of the reasoning with that one). Her meds have been costing around 80-120 a month depending on what she's on, on top of the vet bills. Which I could almost justify if they were working but the other half is getting increasingly frustrated at costs and I can't really blame him. The next step our vet has suggested is removal of the ear canals and closing of the ears and I honestly struggle with the thoughts of that. I just feel it is a step too far and honestly can't afford the €600+ costs... I hate seeing my dog suffer, she's not herself any more, she doesn't want to play, walk or interact with us. I broached the topic of putting her to sleep with the vet at our last visit and she was disgusted with me. She couldn't understand why I wouldn't go ahead with the ear operation. I have today found the details of a vet who specialises in ear and skin issues but he wouldn't take her without a referral, which I plan on asking for at next weeks visit. But in the mean time, have any of you found any miracle drugs/supplements/drops etc which might be worth trying??

tk123

What are you feeding her OP? Thronit powder is very good but if it something in her diet is causing it then you're just fire fighting. My boy's ears have been spotless since I put him on a raw diet years ago - before that I'd have to clean them once a week. My girl's used to be mucky even on the raw diet but I cut out rice as much as possible and 5 days of Thronit sorted them out. I was using it once a month but don't need it at all now for her - vet said there was no wax in her ear canals the last 2 times she's been in.

kathleen37

Blimy, I hope you get your pup sorted.

Just a note - when you go for your referal - write everything down before you go - create a timeline with treatment - and hand that over to the new vet.

I sometimes get a bit overcome and tend to forget stuff when talking about the animals and them not being well, so I've got into the habit of doing this - to make sure they have all the relevant info

Good luck

Bunnyslippers

Ear infections are very hard to clear, especially once the ear canal gets scarred from constant infection, diet would not help a chronic infection at this stage sadly. It sounds like you've exhausted very option except the operation, I've seen it done and it does work well, but I know the price tag is steep! I'd get a second opinion although I think you'll be told the same thing, either that or ask your vet if they would do a payment plan, do explain to them your situation, as not many folk are going to have that sort of money floating around, I'm sure they'll understand - worth trying anyway!
Other than that your only option maybe pts, irrespective of what the vets view is, don't forget they are there to make money first and foremost, so it is in their intrest to keep treating your dog. But it is your dog at the end of the day and your decision as only you know your pet and what is best.

tk123

Bunnyslippers wrote: »

Ear infections are very hard to clear, especially once the ear canal gets scarred from constant infection, diet would not help a chronic infection at this stage sadly. It sounds like you've exhausted very option except the operation, I've seen it done and it does work well, but I know the price tag is steep! I'd get a second opinion although I think you'll be told the same thing, either that or ask your vet if they would do a payment plan, do explain to them your situation, as not many folk are going to have that sort of money floating around, I'm sure they'll understand - worth trying anyway!
Other than that your only option maybe pts, irrespective of what the vets view is, don't forget they are there to make money first and foremost, so it is in their intrest to keep treating your dog. But it is your dog at the end of the day and your decision as only you know your pet and what is best.

PTS a dog with ear infections?!? A tad extreme...

OP DBB is a westie expert - I'm sure she'll be along soon enough to advise!

aonb

another vote for Thornit Ear Powder OP. One of my boys seemed to have ear issues from birth - constant recurring issues, though nowhere near as bad as your dog.

Definitely would explain to your vet that $ is becoming a real issue, and yes do ask if a payment plan, and yes do tell your vet that you want a referral to a specialist to see if there is some alternative.

At the end of the day, its you that has to pay for all this. At the end of the day, if your dogs well being is being effected by this horrible condition, you are the only one who can decide your dogs care, especially if her personality is being so effected - her quality of life being impacted is horrible

I know that my dog became phobic about his ears - HATED HATED anyone going near them - when he saw the cleaning pads or the meds coming out, he went really nuts. So upsetting for him and for us, so I can see where you are coming from with this problem going on so long and with such poor results. Dogs ears are so sensitive, and bother them so much, its just miserable

Best of luck with the referral, do let us know how you get on

DBB

Bunnyslippers wrote: »

Other than that your only option maybe pts, irrespective of what the vets view is, don't forget they are there to make money first and foremost, so it is in their intrest to keep treating your dog.

That's a little disengenuous... My vet does not think this way, neither do any of the numerous vets that the rescue I run has accounts with. I simply would not give my custom to a vet whose primary motivation is money rather than the welfare of their patients, and I'd advise anyone the same.
OP, having had a bit of experience with this condition, I'm afraid that the operation is probably your only option, because it's likely that the infection is really, really deep. Now, I have come across a couple of dogs whose ears have closed up due to inflammation, but have responded to regular squirts of a steroid spray down into the ears. I'm also just off the phone to a veterinary nurse who is exploring the efficacies of hemp oil in ear health (it seems hemp oil is the new wonder-stuff), but it's likely that at this stage, you're tinkering around the edges by doing any of this stuff.
I haven't met a dog that had the operation and who subsequently had to be pts due to chronic ear infections (not saying they don't exist, it's just I haven't met them!), the operation seems to be very successful. So I'd certainly explore the option of going for the operation whilst arranging a payment plan with your vet. Perhaps you could shop around and see if you can get better value elsewhere.
At 11, you'd like to think she should have a bit to go yet

cyberspi

tk123 wrote: »

What are you feeding her OP? Thronit powder is very good but if it something in her diet is causing it then you're just fire fighting. My boy's ears have been spotless since I put him on a raw diet years ago - before that I'd have to clean them once a week. My girl's used to be mucky even on the raw diet but I cut out rice as much as possible and 5 days of Thronit sorted them out. I was using it once a month but don't need it at all now for her - vet said there was no wax in her ear canals the last 2 times she's been in.

Thanks th123 I must look for that powder, I presume you buy through the vets? I don't think its her food as she was on the same thing most of her life until recently. since the infections I've moved her onto Naturo packs and burns sensitive to see would that help. To be honest I hadn't heard of the raw diet until I started reading this forum yesterday so I'll have to do a bit more research into that...

tk123

cyberspi wrote: »

Thanks th123 I must look for that powder, I presume you buy through the vets? I don't think its her food as she was on the same thing most of her life until recently. since the infections I've moved her onto Naturo packs and burns sensitive to see would that help. To be honest I hadn't heard of the raw diet until I started reading this forum yesterday so I'll have to do a bit more research into that...

This is it - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thornit-Ear-Powder-20-g/dp/B00560R08Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470693323&sr=8-1&keywords=thornit+powder+for+dogs

You'll have to use parcel wizard etc to get it since they don't ship to Ireland.

cyberspi

Thanks to you all for the responses, I'm actually glad to see 2 people say that they know of successful operations. The 2 vets in the practice I use are surgeons primarily so I was a little afraid that they might be just jumping to that solution without exploring the other options... Curious that you mention the hemp oil, completely unrelated I have been pricing it up lately for human ailments, if I get my hands on it it may well be worth a try!!
First step I'll take is try and get that powder immediately, get a referral from my vet and ask about payment plans, will see what the other vet has to say and if he reckons to go for the op then see who is the cheapest/can take instalments...
Thanks again everyone I've really been stressing about what to do, at least now I feel like I have a bit of a plan