[dal12939]

My daughter acquired a pet shop Yorkie at 9 weeks old. She's now almost 5 months. At her initial exam with a vet (referred by the pet shop), she was treated for kennel cough and an ear infection. The cough cleared up, but she has been back twice more for the ear infection. When she returned for a vaccination, her ear smear came back negative for mites/yeast/bacteria. Few weeks later she went in for a distemper vacci, they did another ear smear which showed either tiny, non-budding yeast or extremely large cocci. Treating again for infection. Also, her face started swelling when she got home, so they rushed her back to vet. Apparently an allergic reaction to the distemper vacci so now must take Benadryl prior to distemper vaccis. Since then, have changed vets, with appointment next week to check ear and discuss spaying at 6 months. We're wondering now if this ear condition might be allergy-related, and if a change in her food (and treats) might help. She's presently on Nutro Max for puppies. Looking for some input from others as to what to bring up at vet appointment next week. From reading some of the posts on this forum, it appears that many vets don't generally link infections to food allergies. In this case, however, with the allergic reaction to the vaccination, plus the chronic ear infection, might it instead be possibly hereditary, poor breeding (pet store variety) practices? Would welcome suggestions.