Ear = Fire Engine Red

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

On Saturday morning, Mr. Snuggly Simba was lying on our bed trying to get as much affection as he possibly could.  As I was giving him lots of love, one ear flipped over and it was literally fire engine red.  I had never seen anything like it so I flipped over the other and it was completely normal in coloring.  I immediately thought ear infection...but while there was clearly something going on, Simba never was rubbing or scratching his ear, he was eating and drinking normally, and still had his usual disposition. 

I called our vet to get an appointment and they were all booked until 4PM on Monday.  I was really frustrated and continue to question whether this new vet is the right vet for us.  While he wasn't acting differently, this ear was just too red to ignore or wait until Monday.  Our only available option was Banfield at that point.  We took him in and they immediately said he definitely has an infection.  They took a swab and came back to report that it was definitely yeast and the growth count was in the thousands.  They showed us how to clean his ear every other day and how to apply the drops twice a day.  They said to come back in two weeks for them to check it out again.

So two questions:

 

Is it normal for an ear infection to be so visibly obvious but have no other signs or signals from the dog before it gets so bad? 

Secondly, should we go back to Banfield for the follow up or return to the vet that we plan to use (although their availability is becoming an issue)?  Only the vet at Banfield will know how it looked but I've heard horror stories about Banfield and really want to just make sure we are getting him the best care at this point.

 

Thanks in advance!

[Camilla and Darwin]

I think that the experiences will vary at Banfield, based on location. We use Banfield, and for us they are clean and mostly professional, but I think overpriced and they have vet techs who are major doodle haters. We are considering switching

 

However, if you enjoyed the staff, service and facilities at your location, I don't see any reason why you shouldn't return. I think I would switch from your old vet if I was in your situation, because being able to make an appointment ASAP is important to me. I don't Darwin to be uncomfortable or in pain any longer than necessary. 

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

Fortunately we didn't encounter any doodle haters...the vet tech and vet both seemed to really love our doodles.  The prices were a bit high but at least we have insurance!  We have also been to the other vet once and I really liked the vet and the facility but the availability is a concern.

[Jennifer and Jack]

I totally agree that a vet needs to be available when a sickness occurs. My vet see's Jack that day no matter what. They usually say I may have to wait a bit but they see him. I think it is wrong of your vet to know that your dog could have an ear infection and then make them wait an entire weekend to suffer.

 

I have used Banfield before when we were visiting my mom in Fla. They were very professional however, I feel they were overpriced and pushed for a lot of things that he didn't actually need. I did the things they suggested though.

 

I actually am starting to swing to the other side a little bit and would prefer the offer to "over test" when it comes to Jack as opposed to under test.

 

If you are happy with the service and the people and you have insurance I would stick with it. It isn't like you are married to them that you can't leave once you sign on.

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

We use Banfield and are quite happy with them.  They have convenient hours (even 1/2 day on Sunday) and the vets/vet techs/receptionists all LOVE our dogs (especially Dexter).

[Lynn D.]

Yeah, go back to Banfield for the f/u. I took one of "my" rescues there and we got a walk in appt. They were fine.

 

I now make sure I have more than one vet that is familiar with my dog, just in case.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

Seda had bilateral yeast infections in her ears and she did not show any signs at all.  The Vet said she was very stoic.  The infections were found when she went for her first physical exam after I got her.  The ears were not red, but the canals were packed with dark brown debris and her ears had an odor.  Since she was new to me, I didn't know what her ears should smell like.   The vet took a sample of the stuff and diagnosed yeast.  She was treated with miconazole ear drops and I had to wash her ears out with Epi-otic.  At the two week return visit, they took another swab from her ears and looked at it under the microscope to make sure the yeast count was down.  Apparently the count does not have to be zero. So, to answer your question, it sounds like they did everything that my non-Banfield Vet did for you.  I wash Seda's ears out every two weeks, or after a bath, and have cut the hair under her ears closely so there will be more air movement.  I don't pull the ear hairs out; there aren't many, and my Vet doesn't recommend it.  I also put her on Orijen grain free, just incase the food she had been eating had been a contributing factor.  She is a year old now, and no repeat infections so far.  She has to put up with me sticking my nose in her ears to take a sniff...which I do all the time!  Now I know what her normal smells like :-)  Good luck.  Hope this helps.

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

Thanks.  This was definitely helpful...it was really strange because he is always snuggling and I'm always rubbing his ears and flipping them over and the redness came out of nowhere and I didn't notice a change in smell.   

[Shelby and Kev]

Just some advice.  Check the ears frequently,  know what you are looking at and take care of it yourself if you are comfortable.  Shelbys ears were like that when she was around a year old.  Took a look and thought it was yucky,  through lots of research i tried and SUCCESS.  Now i check them every other day and use my human nose to smell those ears.  I know you can do it.  Research is the Key!

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

Thanks for the tip. 

[Jenn&Bruce]

Amanda, I love and totally support this advice!  when Bentley came home to me, he had one smelly inflamed ear, and I started him on the plain unsweetened yogurt, and haven't had a problem since.  I have doodle clients that have also tried my suggestion, and they now swear by it. even the ones who had frequent problems with smelly ears and infections. :o)

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

I would switch vets-we switched 2 times! In fact my DH just noticed last night a lump on Chloe and he gave it the day because they just had shots and didn't kow if it was a reaction? SO. we called at 2:30 and they got her for 4:45 which is great and taked a lot of worry away from us to know what it is.

I would follow up with Banfield because they are treating it-or at least take pictures?? Good luck!

Fell better soon little doodle!!

[Sue, Lola, Pongo & Hubby]

poor doodle!!! Lola has had much experience with ear infections. There have been a few times where it's just been red with nothing else, other times there's been a discharge or wax. I'd go back to your vet. Just in my opinion, a vet will know no matter what whether an ear is infected or not, so I don't think it would matter that he/she didn't see it initially. That's just my opinion, if that's the vet you plan on using in the future...