Ear Infection Question

[Phoebe's Mom]

Phoebe was diagnosed with an ear infection on March 8th and our vet put her on Conofite/Synotic 2x's daily for 2 weeks.  She has been handling my administering the drops in her ears beautifully and they seem to have cleared up nicely--she has a re-check on the 25th.  My question is that since I have been putting in the drops, she has vomited twice over the course of what now is almost the full two weeks.  I was wondering if there might be a relationship between the drops and the vomiting (or am I such trying to turn coincidence into a reason for the tummy upset)?  She is acting and eating normally and she is always leashed when outside (that is not to say my little puppy vacuum may not have gotten something she should not have while at the end of her leash!).  All comments, as always, are so very appreciated.

[Pat & "Tucker"]

This med is a combination of antifungal and steroid. Any of the two can cause gastric upset ( like most medications). If she is vomiting only occasionaly I wouldn't think it is much to worry about. If anything worsens though, check with the vet. Allergic reactions are much more of a sudden onset with continued and/ or worsening symptoms.

[Phoebe's Mom]

Fabulous--thanks for responding. Thankfully, she finishes the meds on Monday. I might just check with her vet today anyway. Nervous doodle Mom that I am!

[F, Calla & Luca]

There should not be any connection since there is no way for drops put in her outer ear to be swallowed. I very much doubt that the amount absorbed could be causing a problem.

[Pat & "Tucker"]

Ear and eye drops are both absorbed- often you can taste the medication.

[Phoebe's Mom]

Thanks! I just called our vet and she does not think there could be a correlation either (although I must say, I agree with you, Pat, about tasting ear/nose drops myself!) Our vet wants me to watch her and, shoud she vomit again, bring her in. Phoebe has tons of energy and is palying well this morning. I am hoping it is 'nothing' and we can return to normal soon.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Nose and eyedrops are different. There is a direct connection to the pharynx and you can taste the medication. Not true for outer ear!

[Nugget's Family]

OK, so here's a question that might relate to this:

Do dogs experience "dizziness" if they have ear trouble like humans can? Could the stomach upset be due to dizziness associated with the ear infection?

Glad to hear your pup is doing well!

Susan

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am sure dogs can develop dizziness. However that is from inner ear not outer ear problems.

[Pat & "Tucker"]

Sure- dizziness can occure just from the fluid imbalance/ pressure from the infection.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Did you google the side effects of the meds? From one who suffers from vertigo I sympathize with Phoebe! But IMPO I don't think it is the drops. I bet she found something delicious to nibble on. I notice Samantha will vomit if she plays hard within eating of a couple of hours. I try to limit when she eats if I know we are going somewhere where she will unearth a ball.

[Phoebe's Mom]

After reading all the responses and speaking with our vet, I am betting the two are unrelated. I would think that if it were the medication, I would either be seeing more vomiting and/or some other additional symptoms like not eating as well or not playing as hard/lack of energy. Thankfully, the meds are finished tomorrow and her re-check is Thursday. I am hoping this infection is cured. Darn those adorable floppy ears!

[Nikki Stump]

Simon gets ear infections every time his ears get wet(from swimming or from groomers who don't honor my request for cotton in his ears during bathing), and sometimes when I de-hair the ear canal (he has the poodle ear canal hair issue as badly as a poodle does I think.) The first major ear infection he got was yeast, and he was prescribed Otomax Tri-Otic. I didn't go through the whole bottle in the 10 days prescribed, so I saved it and used it a couple more times when his ears got the nasty black gunk in the, and seemed itchy, always resolving the problem.

Eventually it ran out, but he got his second major ear infection last fall. This time it was some sort of rod bacteria, maybe staph, maybe something else, but I was again prescribed the Otomax. It cleared it right up again. It's kind of a nasty greasy stuff, but he never gets ill from it, so next time Phoebe gets an infection, you might ask your vet about using it instead, or some other one--I'm sure there must be multiple treatments available.