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Help with itchy ears I have a foster dog who has very, very itchy ears. She has been to the vet twice and they see no problem no mites, no infection, no smell. She is a retired breeder who spent her life outside and one ear is thickened and dark inside with what I assume is scar tissue. The thickened ear bothers her the most but both seem to irritate her. She doesn't shake her head like some with problems she just itches them til they bleed. I dont know what else to do to help her. Any suggestions would be appreciated. |
What is she eating? |
wellness core original also kelp and omega suppliments |
Have environmental allergies been ruled out? Tried antihistamines and/or steroids, Atopica, etc.? If the itching is that bad, even if her ears aren't crusty, maybe do a skin scraping? |
Yes steriods have been tried and they work however when stopped the itching comes back. I would like a more natural choice if possible. I feel the steroids band aid the problem. I am hoping to solve it. No antihistimines have been tried and I dont know what atopica is???? She is a rescue in foster care so they do not pay for extensive things like skin scrapings when she has been in twice and the vet doesnt feel there is a problem. |
Unfortunately it will be hard to find a safer remedy if there is no diagnosis and no money to work with. Omegas are good and possibly doing an elimination diet if it is at all possible that this is a food allergy. You may want to built up her immune system with probiotics but those can be pricey. Atopica is an immunosuppressant and probably not the way you'd want to go if you want something more natural. Antihistamines (Benadryl perhaps) maybe should've been tried before the steroids if an allergy is suspected. Antihistamines aren't good of course but they are better than steroids... |
Ok Ellie May thank you for helping. How would I do an elimination diet? I also forgot to add I do give her plain yogurt everyday. I guess I feel it may not be an allergy because nothing else itches. |
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It could be so many things but nothing stands out as far as only her ears being affected. Has she had blood work done? An elimination diet is starting out with a couple novel ingredients until she feels better (2-3 months in most cases if it is a food allergy) and adding one ingredient back in at a time. The Natural Balance limited ingredient line works well for some dogs. Science Diet hypoallergenic veterinary diets (I know, not everyone's favorite) may work and Wellness Core is also a possibility. The goal is a novel protein and grain. The Wellness may have too many ingredients for this... If it is allergies, it is more likely to be environmental though. Blood testing can be done for envir. allergies. |
Boy oh boy when you have an ear problem it seems like you always have an ear problem with these guys. One of my girls has major problems with her ears if she eats to much protein (especially chicken) in her diet. I clean them constantly with Oti-soothe and used every type of ear drop we could find. We have now for the last few years stayed on Synotic drops. It is so hard to get medicine's down in that lower ear canel. Poor Baby |
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Synotic is topical for the ears and may work. I think it's a steroid but at lteast she doesn't have to process so much of it. The thing I hated about it was I didn't wear gloves to apply it and if it touches your skin, it can leave a horrible taste in your mouth. |
is synotic available with prescription? Where do I purchase it? |
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I am sure your vet will carry it. I found that it really helps to make sure you clean the ear out before putting medicated drops in the ears. |
Has anyone tried vinegar/ water rinses? I wonder if it could be yeast if there is no smell???? |
Wipe with vinegar. Also apply Vicks ointment. It's great for itching. Some poeple think UGH! but it works. mzeloise |
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