Pup with ear and eye infection on 3 types antibiotics??
 

Hi there. We took Tilly to the vet 2 weeks ago for "scratching at her ears" and well she did have an infection in BOTH ears. She yelped and screamed when the vet cleaned out her ears and we really struggled getting the drops in her ears at home. Things seemed to pick up until yesterday I noticed her scratching again at her ears AND gunky and swollen eyes!
So again I took her to the vets and the vet said she was a pretty poorly pup.
I felt squeemish as they cleaned out her ears this time of all greeny gloop! (she was much better behaved though I think the vet was much gentler this time.

He advised more ear drops but different strain and gave us otomax ear drops.
Then he turned attention to her eyes and concluded the infection looked like it was in the eye lids upper and under like little tiny absecess (lumpy) the breadth of the lashes (that used to be they seem to be a little balding whilst its pink and swollen. This only kicked in yesterday morning and we took her to the vet the same day it surprised us how fast it did kick in! He prescribed a course of clinagel for the eyes and to be sure also antibiotic pills Kesium 62.5mg.

This is Her on 3 antibiotics together!!! Yesterday when I took her she was still very much herself today she seems to feel so sorry for herself. The vet said her eyes may look worse before they look better (but it looks much the same) and seem surprised she was still hyper at home like he was expecting her to be down.
She is eating and drinking but as for playing - not really she just wants to cuddle up with us and look pitiful. Although she is alert.

I asked if it was anything we were doing wrong and he said no its more likely because she was hand reared with the breeder she hasnt been able to build up antibodies from mothers milk and may be more susceptible to infections until she has built up some immunities of her own.

Anyone else been in this situation? And of course because she had the ear infection the insurance policy were quick to void ear or skin problems from our policey thereafter. Any tips to make her feel just a little less sorry for herself?

I think, just like kids, they need some extra TLC and rest when they're not feeling well. With ear issues, their balance can be affected, so laying around a few days may be best for her right now. If she wants on your lap, make time for that as the extra warmth from your body can help with healing.

hope Tilly feels better soon

Poor Tilly. Hope she recovers quickly and builds up her immune system.

Sorry to hear your insurance company changed your policy. That doesn't seem fair.

Thanks for your well wishes. I spoke to an online vet this afternoon.. Not sure why I just think this is a lot for a little dog to go through and I asked her opinion on her treatment and would she of done any further investigations.
She seemed to think it sounds like allergies with the infections being secondary.
Advised me to change her food (from Iams) to something Lamb and rice based and to give her banadryl at 1/4 the childrens dosage.
I just dont like to see her poorly and can't help think and agree something more must be afoot to have an infection in BOTH ears and BOTH eyes and the acne that has appeared under her chin..
Going to change her food in the morning as well!

under her chin? Are they hard little balls? If so its probably histomias and they are due to an allergy most likely

its raised red and scabby directly under her chin with hair loss just in that spot only it seems to irritate as she doesnt want me to touch her there She really does look a state Will try to upload a picture with this - hope it comes through..

Some probiotics to back up her weak immune system might help.

Dog probiotics? I know we get probiotic yogurts and things never heard for dogs?

I have had great results on my Wheaten Terrier with them. Can you google probiotics for dogs?

I thought I would update this. my local pet shot does not stock dog probiotics but has put an order through and will phone when they are there.

Tilly has made no improvement infact it appears she has got worse. I am taking her this afternoon back to another vet for a second opinion.

The vet told us she would possibly get worse before she got better but im watching my poor pup wriggling round rubbing her face on anything and everything to get relief. the fur under her chin is fast dissapearing and a large scab in its place her mouth seems sore also. She sees her meds coming her way and she dissapears!!
I have kept up with her meds daily and I see no improvement only deterioration to the extent I would guess she is allergic to one of the meds! Last night she came out in hives!
I spoke to an online vet to which /I had to pay an online payment last night who advised benadryl and agreed with me something is not right and I should seek a second opinion.
She also agreed the vet should be looking for the underlying cause of all of this rather than treat the symptoms.
We hae changed her food to James well beloved puppy lamb and rice (as advised) and as yet seen no improvement but it is early days. She is constantly chewing at her feet also which would indicate allergies. I just want her to get better!!!

So she has an appointment in a couple of hours time at another practice for a second opinion. This is really money I dont have and cant claim through insurance as they very helpfully ommited ear and skin problems! Fingers crossed for a more competent vet who will look for the source rather than experiment with drugs that really are not helping!!! Poor dog has no fur round her eyes now just crusts and nastiness (that is being bathed daily) and no fur around her muzzle with nasty scabs that have matted in the hair she did have there!!!

It should also be noted I have also introduced apple cider vinegar to her water now and organic natural yogurt with live cultures to try to help her out a bit!

So sorry you are having all of these problems. Please update after taking her to the new vet

Use only stainless steel or ceramic food and water bowls.... no plastics...
Glad you're getting a 2nd opinion... you should have been seeing some kind of improvement by now. Keep us posted, Praying for your baby.

Might help to homecook 50:50 chicken and white rice mix for a week or two till you can get her sorted out. That would eliminate any allergy to any food additives, which are a problem in many instances.

Good idea to get her on the natural yogurt, I give it to my dogs so regularly I didn't think to mention it.
Hoping you get to the bottom of this quickly!

This is good as long as she doesn't have any allergies to dairy products. The probiotic supplements are way stronger though and would work quicker for sick dogs.

Bleach or strangles!!!
 

Right then I wasn't prepared for that!!


So I took her this afternoon for second opinion.
The vet looked her over I said I was concerned about strangles.. she felt her neck and said her glands were up and it could be - then checked her chin where its so sore and swollen and inside her mouth...

~She asked me when it first started and I said Last Wednesday eve/ Thursday morning it was sudden..
She then asked if I cleaned the house thoroughly with bleach that day..
Which of course I did as I had an important visitor coming ----

She asked where Tilly was and I said well she was trying to chase the mop!

Theres my answer!!!

It was heavily diluted but apparently it doesn't matter- and she pointed out white sores on her footpads which arent symptomatic of strangles. she said the two have very similar results though but said it looked much more like a burn.

I feel AWFUL!! I have a dane, I've always had big dogs, this is my first toy sized pooch and I overlooked completely the dangers of bleach (Even diluted!) My big dog is so so lazy he stays on the couch whilst housework is going on!

So she has given us a bottle of prednicare tabs and fuciderm gel to apply on her chin and to continue with eye and ear drops from other vet. She thinks the ear infection is unrelated and it is nearly cleared up and the eyes she explained as she would of rubbed her eyes with her paws...

Whilst Strangles is not ruled completely out yet there is steroids in these new meds and by Friday she will be able to know for sure.




Just to add - The first vet that she saw that very day last week did not pick this up!!! He said ear eye and skin infection!!!!!

When my wheatens immune system was poor she seemed to be sensitive/ allergic to so many things. As she got healthier on the right foods, probiotics etc she is no longer prone to itchy ears, eyes, paws, smelly skin etc... I also am careful with foods,detergents, yard chemicals and immunizations/antibiotics (things that I think caused her problems )... and have not had any issues with the yorkies.
I hope you still give the probiotics and limited ingredient foods a try to help strenghten this little ones immune system.:)

We now know it isn't allergies its ingestion of household bleach from the mop or possibly strangles but vets sure its bleach.

An update on yesterday. I really could KISS THE VET THAT GAVE US THE SECOND OPINION!!!!!


6am this morning I woke suddenly to Tilly playfully biting my nose! It's the first I have seen her up and playing in days!!!
I found a second medication in her pill bag I thought it was just prednicare but found a second in a packet "ronaxan" - Not sure which medication it was but one of them has quite literally given us our puppy back within hours of taking!!!
She has been very playful today back to chasing the kids feet, stealing their socks.. quite literally from off their feet... I am glad to have her back!!!!!

Clearly we must continue with the meds and she should have her review on Friday but I really thought the Tilly we knew and loved was gone.. Bit dramatic maybe but after seeing her for 5 days just sleep and have no up time except to potty I really didnt think the right meds could bring her back to us in just 12 hours!!