Sunday 2/5/12 Update - I'm at a loss - several months of yeasty ear infection

[Christine & Camus]

UPDATE Sunday, February 5, 2012

Medication problems.  Okay the liquid ear cleaners burn Camus' skin, so the dermatologist prescribed an oral anti-fungal, as well as prednisone.  Camus has been vomiting since ~ 4:30 PM today. It is only 6 PM and he has vomited 5 times  6 times (he is vomiting as I type).  No dinner or meds tonight, just small amounts of water to keep him hydrated and I am going to sleep on the couch since there is carpet in my bedroom.  Back to the vet tomorrow.

UPDATE February 3, 2012:

Camus had his first visit to the dermatologist this afternoon.  Karen - thank you so much for alerting me to the dangers of long-term ear infections and suggesting I take him to a specialist. 

His ear was a mess, the canal was blocked up to his eardrum, which thankfully was intact and undamaged.  With the blockage NO amount of ear cleanser or medication was going to make a difference, it could not get through the blockage. Karen advising me to take him to a specialist was exactly what he needed.  Had I not consulted the dermatologist his ear may well have ended up being permanently damaged, and it would have been MY FAULT.  I feel bad having waited this long.  If your doodle has ear problems please consider consulting a veterinarian dermatologist.

The doctor irrigated his ear, cleaning it out completely, prescribed an antifungal oral medication and short-term prednisone for the inflammation.  Since the typical ear flushing solutions burn his skin she does not want me to use epi-otic or any other cleansing solution.  He has a follow-up appointment in 2 weeks.  Although he only has the ear and eye symptoms now, considering the symptoms he has had in the past she thinks it is most likely atopy.  I am going to have the skin testing done, but will have to wait since he is taking prednisone for his ear.  The cost for today's visit was remarkable low, only $185.34, which included the exam, the ear irrigation (he was good so they did not need to anesthetize him.), and medication.  The intradermal allergy testing will cost $415, plus office visit $69, and if antigens are necessary an additional $200 for a 4-6 month supply.  They will also teach me how to give him the injections!  One point of interest is, according to the specialist, that research shows in Southern California ~ 70% of the dogs diagnosed with atopy have eye and ear involvement.

Camus has had an ear infection (yeast) for at least the past 5-6 months. Only in one ear and I cannot get rid of it.  He is super-sensitive to the ear washes, his ear gets more sensitive when I flush it.  I flush the ear, clean it with cotton swabs, apply Entederm, and still the infection persists.  He paws at it, shakes his head, and has begun to whimper when he scratches it. In addition to his ear, he scratches and chews his paws. He gets an antihistamine (Hydroxyzine 50 mg) 2x daily.  The scratching has decreased in the last few weeks, but it will start up again if I do not bathe him every week.  He gets a fish oil supplement (human grade) and although I know these are not symptoms of a food allergy I recently switched him to Natural Balance Duck & Potato.  The vet said it is allergies. Any advice?

[Christine & Camus]

Hi Joanne, Camus had his follow-up appointment yesterday and while his ear has improved it is still infected.  Apparently, ear infections can be rather tenacious and can take a long time to clear up.  His ear still had brown waxy yeast, which the vet cultured and then she irrigated his ear again.  No hemorrhaging seen this time (good sign), however still to much yeast and due to the yeast, too much wax.  I am to continue the Ketoconazole (oral) and now have conofite/dex ear drops.  The only problem is that the ear drops really irritate his ear.  I am going to call the vet on Monday to discuss the conofite. 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Thanks for the update. I know with Spud we fought it for two years and finally we have been clear at least 8 months now.  Some of it was mismanagement and some was just getting rid of whatever was causing the problem.

Once you get there, it is a great thing. I know  you will get there!