Help! Ear Problem??

[Erica&Riley]

I just got home from work and noticed that one of Riley's ears is all red on the inside...kind of splotchy and it seems a little bumpy too. Before I rush her off to the vet, has this happened to anyone else? I don't know if she just irritated it by itching too much or had an allergic reaction to something. Should I try some benadryl and see if that helps? It also seems kind of dirty (and I cleaned her ears a few days ago).

Thanks!
Erica

 

[Austin's Mom]

Austin has been having ear issues since Saturday. I think something bit him. He was scratching like crazy and shaking his head. The vet said to give him Benadryl. I don't know what the dose would be for Riley, but Aus is 94 pounds and gets 3 pills every 12 hours. I hope your baby feels better soon.

 

[BeckyNC]

Personally, I would not rush to the vet. It'd watch it to see if the redness and other symptoms disappear. If you feel Riley is uncomfortable, or if the symptoms get worse, then take her to the vet. Tae's ears have looked the same on occasion, usually when she's hot, but the symptom's have gone away.

 

[Erica&Riley]

I gave Riley 25mg of benadryl to see if it helps, so now she's snoozing. She weighs about 52-54 lbs so I figured I would start with 1/2 the dose. She wasn't shaking her head or scratching the ear, so I don't know if it is an ear infection or an allergic reaction to something. The one thing that made me worry is the dirty looking stuff in her ear. I used a wet cotton ball to get some of it out (does anyone know what dog ear wax looks like??) On Sunday, I gave her a bath and cleaned her ears using a solution I bought at PetSmart (you put the solution in the ear, rub for a minute, and then the dog shake the rest out). So maybe she had a reaction to that stuff? I think I'll give her another 25mg of benadryl around 7 or 8, then see how she is in the morning. I get so worried when anything happens to her...more so then I think I would with a kid since she can't talk and tell me what's going on!

Thanks for the support!

 

[Erica&Riley]

Riley's ear looked a little better this morning, but it still had the red, bump splotches in it. I gave her another 25mg of benadryl too. I read some other posts on ear problems and people mentioned yeast infections in dog's ears. What does a yeast infection look like...how can you tell? I used 50/50 rubbing alcohol and water last night to clean some more of the black gunk out of her ear. I figured I would swab the ear again this afternoon when I get home from work. How long do you think I should give it before taking her to the vet?

 

[luvmydog]

One way I tell with Apollo's ears, ( he's really prone to ear infections with his alleriges.) I smell his ears. And if it's got a really nasty funk to it, it's probably an ear infection. If not, it's just his allergies acting up and I give him benadryl.

 

[angelos mom]

I have also heard that if the ears smell awful it is probably an ear infection. If they smell bad I would take your pup to the vet.

 

[br54_9]

If you go to the vet see if you can pick up some epi-otic it is and ear cleanser, Max has problems and it works very well and is more gentle than alcohol.

Good luck hope it is minor.

 

[bommy]

GOOD LUCK, I personally would go to the vet, but i am over pedantic! let us know what happens

 

[Austin's Mom]

Over the weekend when Austin had his ear issues I looked up canine ear infections and it said they would smell bad and have a black or yellow discharge.