Standard Poodle with ear problems....helping out an anonymous Craigslister

[Missi]

While perusing the craigslist ads (As I do when I'm bored), I found this plea for help:

I figured I could post it here and send her the link if anyone had any suggestions on how to help.    So, THIS IS NOT ME, just trying to help someone out.

http://wichita.craigslist.org/pet/1756237901.html

"It is with a heavy heart that I place this post. I have decided to try to find a good home for my black Standard Poodle.


Jack is about 4 years old, not neutered, and is current on his rabies
shot. I did not buy his papers, because we just wanted him for a pet.
He is perfectly housebroken, although he is not above checking out the
trash can for something interesting, and counter surfing is like an
Olympic sport for him. He loves to go for car rides, and will sit up
regally, and never budge. He is shy, but warms up. He ignores kids,
loves other dogs, and chases cats that won't stand up to him. (We have
one that he torments, and one that he wouldn't dare mess with.) He is
gentle natured, and is happy to spend his day lounging on the couch.
He's a total couch potato.


So why are we parting with Jack? His ears. We have fought his ears for
2 years now--the whole time we have had him. We have tried everything.
We have had him to two different vets. We have had him on antibiotics,
swimmer's ear medicine, peroxide treatments, vinegar solutions, ear
mite medicine--everything we could think of, read about, or had
suggested. We have changed his dog food, at the recommendation of
several people who posted here in response to my request for advice
about 2 months ago. We were hoping it was something as simple as a food
allergy, but that doesn't seem to be the case.


Most recently, I have been taking him to the groomer each week to have
his ears professionally cleaned and medicated. By the time I take him
the next week, his ears are full of blood again. She thinks it might be
genetic, or that he might need some very expensive testing done to find
out the root of the problem. We are at the end. We've had some life
changing events in our family in the last couple of months, and this is
more than I can do.



His ears smell horrible. He whines if you bump his ears. He is in pain. We are to the point that Jack has had enough. We are unable to
cure this problem, so I wish to either find someone who is
knowledgeable about ear problems in poodles and can help him, or I am
going to have him put to sleep so he is no longer suffering with this.
I tried unsuccessfully to contact his breeder shortly after we got him,
but she will not return emails. The groomer believes the breeder is
avoiding us, thinking that we want our money back because she didn't
disclose his ear problems. I don't know. I just know that this has gone
on long enough.


I am not trying to make money off Jack. I just want him to go to a
great home with someone who is more capable of giving him the care he
needs. He really is a great dog. I will not let him go to just anyone.
I am hesitant to give him away for free, because I don't want someone
to just take him without thinking things through, and not giving him
the care that he needs. For this reason, I am requiring a donation to
the Humane Society, the zoo, or other animal charity of your choice, in
a check form, that I will mail in to be sure it is carried through.


For more information, feel free to email the anonymized CL link. Thanks for reading.
"

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'll email you. And you absolutely are not being asked or expected to pay for anything!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

This is so sad. I would donate to help if poodle rescue doesn't step up.

[Lorraine Bromley]

What about having her contact the Poodle breeders society member of Kennel club Poodle owners polling them if they have had any thing like this in their experience?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Oh, there are definitely poodles with this condition and any poodle breeders or Poodle club people would be familiar with it. Heck, the average knowledable poodle owner would be familiar with it. But we don't know exactly how bad this dog's ears are, and that has to be determined by a vet.
Also, kennel club members are unlikely to have had personal experience with this because their dogs are very well maintained.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

In the article it says that heartworm cannot be transferred from animal to animal but is only transferred by mosquito. In another section it says that even though it may not be in your area, wild animals like coyotes may get it and give it to your animals. HUH???

[F, Calla & Luca]

Only through mosquitoes I'm quite certain.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I think they mean that a mosquito could pass it from an infected coyote to your dog. In other words, in an area where it has not been reported in dogs, it could be spread from infected wild animals to domestic dogs, but only by mosquito.

[Carol Brand]

The Poodle rescue in Colorado could not help because she is full. I sent a message to the Greater Wichita Poodle Club. Hopefully someone will extend a hand. Can I just say that the original breeder of this dog should be strung up? This is why we need breeding legislation. I would love to see these folks shut down!!!

[Paul & Michele]

Hi Missi! I found some info on the poodle. Give me a call at work or stop by if you get a chance..... Tell Lizzie & Marley Hi!!

[Missi]

Well, to update everyone: We did finally get a hold of this owner and some new information has come about. Rescue organizations and vets were contacted who have dealt with this owner in the past and all is not what it seems. I will be closing the discussion. Thank you all for the concern you have shown for this dog, this is why DK is such a wonderful place!