YorkieTalk.com Forums - Yorkshire Terrier Community - View Single Post - Terrible Ear Infection, Maybe Leather Ear? Need Help!!

Ashlea979 · 07-14-2014, 07:22 AM

My Yorkie (Name-Bear) has been to the Vet 4 times in one month. He was acting very lazy and didn't seem to feel well. So, the first time I went Vet(#1) said that he has an ear infection {yeast & bacteria} prescribed him Gentizol to cure it. He said that if it wasn't better that Bear may need an antihistamine (Prednisone) because of his allergies & that he probably has a low immune system from being sick.

A few days later I took him back & saw Vet(#2) because I noticed that after applying Gentizol to his ears (inner) that the bottom outside of his ears were balding. This vet said that he needed to be on Prednisone so that his body could heal. I took his advice & Bear orally took Prednisone over the course of about 2 weeks as well as applying Gentizol to his ear.

A week later Bear's ears were looking TERRIBLE! Inside on the tips and around the sides (inside & out) were Red, Peeling, flaky, dry, scaly- and his hair was coming off with it. As well as the base of the outside ears were balding. So, I took him back to the vet. Vet(#3) looked at him for 1 minute and concluded that he was allergic to Gentizol (ear ointment) & told me to go across the road to buy Cortizone cream & apply it to his ears for a couple of days and it will be cured. He also said it was very common. My initial thought was why didn't the other Vet(#2) even THINK of an allergic reaction. [If you ask me, I think this Vet(#3) was in a rush to get home- It was closing time- & wasn't putting much effort into looking at it.]

A couple of days passed & I had done everything as each doctor had asked with no results. Bear had become VERY bloated in his belly, eating & drinking a LOT more than normal, and acted lethargic. So, once again, I became very concerned and took him back to the vet. This time, I saw Vet(#1) again. Vet(#1) said that his ears looked better (inside- no more infection). But the tips of his ears & outside were no better off. He had not seen anything like his case. He took his temperature (normal), weighed him (5.02 lbs)- which was one pound more than a month ago, He did not appear bloated at that time, and checked his ears. This doctor was very thorough and had a conference call with Vet #2 & Vet #3. They collaborated together & narrowed down the options to the possibility of 1 out of 4 things.

1.) Parasite or Mites of ears
2.) Fungal infection that spread upwards of ears
3.) Autoimmune Disease
4.) Allergic to Gentizol

He & Vet #2 automatically ruled out Possibility #4- that he was allergic to Gentizol because Bear wasn't in pain in his ears, they weren't swollen or blistery, he didn't have a fever, etc. There would be many more obvious factors if he was allergic to it. In fact, they said the Cortizone could have made it worse.

So, to narrow the options down They did a cytology of the ears (Test results were negative for parasites or mites.) Bear had a blood panel done & over all he is in excellent health & nothing points to him having anything wrong. The only concerning things were 1 test showed that he was stressed (which is common in yorkies, & he has had a lot going on), the other showing his Liver enzymes were in the higher normal range- we've known this for a while & concluded that it is normal for Bear. So, overall there were not much signs pointing to anything was wrong with him. The doctors were very happy with his blood work. It just didn't get us any farther to figuring out what has been going on with his ears.

The only way to know if it is an autoimmune disease is to have a biopsy done. And we do NOT want Bear to be under anesthesia because he is so small and with an elevated liver enzyme levels- it concerns us. All the doctors say it would be perfectly fine for him to go under- we just don't feel comfortable with it.

After all this, we decided to keep an eye on Bear & try the Gentizol ointment on the tips of his ears and any where else that was peeling.

When I went to pick up the paper blood work results, Vet(#2) was in the office and wanted to talk in great detail about Bear. He discussed all the blood work that had been done, cytology, his behaviors, etc. This vet said He really thinks that it's a fungal infection that spread upwards.

We've been applying the Gentizol to his ears for a few weeks now. They DO look better, but still not the same. He started some new behaviors since seeing the Vet for the Fourth time. He acts SO jumpy- scared for us to pick him up. He literally JUMPS when we try to pick him up but he isn't in any pain. He also shakes ALL the time now. There's no His balance is way off. If he jumps off of the couch he falls. He's scared to jump up. Maybe he was traumatized from the cytology?

We are with Bear 99.99% of the time. We work from home & one of us is usually with him. We take him just about everywhere with us. We do not have kids & he is an only dog.

I know this is a long post. I just can't seem to find any answers. Bear's ears still aren't healed & his behaviors are NOT normal.

I asked the doctors about leather ear- they ruled it out because they've never heard of it. But, his ears do have a leathery, scaly look. They're just dry and not wet. Also, his nose is now looking dry and leathery on the top.

I'm just hoping that someone can help us figure out what is going on with Bear without traumatizing him anymore with the vet.

Thanks for reading & I would appreciate any advice!

07-14-2014, 07:22 AM	#1
Ashlea979 Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Concord Posts: 21	Terrible Ear Infection, Maybe Leather Ear? Need Help!! My Yorkie (Name-Bear) has been to the Vet 4 times in one month. He was acting very lazy and didn't seem to feel well. So, the first time I went Vet(#1) said that he has an ear infection {yeast & bacteria} prescribed him Gentizol to cure it. He said that if it wasn't better that Bear may need an antihistamine (Prednisone) because of his allergies & that he probably has a low immune system from being sick. A few days later I took him back & saw Vet(#2) because I noticed that after applying Gentizol to his ears (inner) that the bottom outside of his ears were balding. This vet said that he needed to be on Prednisone so that his body could heal. I took his advice & Bear orally took Prednisone over the course of about 2 weeks as well as applying Gentizol to his ear. A week later Bear's ears were looking TERRIBLE! Inside on the tips and around the sides (inside & out) were Red, Peeling, flaky, dry, scaly- and his hair was coming off with it. As well as the base of the outside ears were balding. So, I took him back to the vet. Vet(#3) looked at him for 1 minute and concluded that he was allergic to Gentizol (ear ointment) & told me to go across the road to buy Cortizone cream & apply it to his ears for a couple of days and it will be cured. He also said it was very common. My initial thought was why didn't the other Vet(#2) even THINK of an allergic reaction. [If you ask me, I think this Vet(#3) was in a rush to get home- It was closing time- & wasn't putting much effort into looking at it.] A couple of days passed & I had done everything as each doctor had asked with no results. Bear had become VERY bloated in his belly, eating & drinking a LOT more than normal, and acted lethargic. So, once again, I became very concerned and took him back to the vet. This time, I saw Vet(#1) again. Vet(#1) said that his ears looked better (inside- no more infection). But the tips of his ears & outside were no better off. He had not seen anything like his case. He took his temperature (normal), weighed him (5.02 lbs)- which was one pound more than a month ago, He did not appear bloated at that time, and checked his ears. This doctor was very thorough and had a conference call with Vet #2 & Vet #3. They collaborated together & narrowed down the options to the possibility of 1 out of 4 things. 1.) Parasite or Mites of ears 2.) Fungal infection that spread upwards of ears 3.) Autoimmune Disease 4.) Allergic to Gentizol He & Vet #2 automatically ruled out Possibility #4- that he was allergic to Gentizol because Bear wasn't in pain in his ears, they weren't swollen or blistery, he didn't have a fever, etc. There would be many more obvious factors if he was allergic to it. In fact, they said the Cortizone could have made it worse. So, to narrow the options down They did a cytology of the ears (Test results were negative for parasites or mites.) Bear had a blood panel done & over all he is in excellent health & nothing points to him having anything wrong. The only concerning things were 1 test showed that he was stressed (which is common in yorkies, & he has had a lot going on), the other showing his Liver enzymes were in the higher normal range- we've known this for a while & concluded that it is normal for Bear. So, overall there were not much signs pointing to anything was wrong with him. The doctors were very happy with his blood work. It just didn't get us any farther to figuring out what has been going on with his ears. The only way to know if it is an autoimmune disease is to have a biopsy done. And we do NOT want Bear to be under anesthesia because he is so small and with an elevated liver enzyme levels- it concerns us. All the doctors say it would be perfectly fine for him to go under- we just don't feel comfortable with it. After all this, we decided to keep an eye on Bear & try the Gentizol ointment on the tips of his ears and any where else that was peeling. When I went to pick up the paper blood work results, Vet(#2) was in the office and wanted to talk in great detail about Bear. He discussed all the blood work that had been done, cytology, his behaviors, etc. This vet said He really thinks that it's a fungal infection that spread upwards. We've been applying the Gentizol to his ears for a few weeks now. They DO look better, but still not the same. He started some new behaviors since seeing the Vet for the Fourth time. He acts SO jumpy- scared for us to pick him up. He literally JUMPS when we try to pick him up but he isn't in any pain. He also shakes ALL the time now. There's no His balance is way off. If he jumps off of the couch he falls. He's scared to jump up. Maybe he was traumatized from the cytology? We are with Bear 99.99% of the time. We work from home & one of us is usually with him. We take him just about everywhere with us. We do not have kids & he is an only dog. I know this is a long post. I just can't seem to find any answers. Bear's ears still aren't healed & his behaviors are NOT normal. I asked the doctors about leather ear- they ruled it out because they've never heard of it. But, his ears do have a leathery, scaly look. They're just dry and not wet. Also, his nose is now looking dry and leathery on the top. I'm just hoping that someone can help us figure out what is going on with Bear without traumatizing him anymore with the vet. Thanks for reading & I would appreciate any advice!