Chronic Ear Problems in Cockers

[DeniseS]

Hi Everybody,

I'm so pleased to have discovered this very friendly, informative Forum.

I was wondering if any of your Cockers has suffered yeasty problems and constant chronic ear infections? My orange roan, Jack, has very tiny openings to his ears, which greatly restricts the flow of air, causing horrendous, painful problems from bacteria. I rescued him at 6 months old and took him straight to my Vet for a health check and this is when I discovered the facts.

At times, the pain is horrendous, despite regular visits to the Vets and various treatments. Periodically, he is put under anaesthetic to give both ears a deep clean, which helps for a little while, but isn't a cure. After years of trying I despair that there is one. On two occasions the ear drums have ruptured and he came very close to having the ear canals removed. Fortunately, he was spared these painful procedures, because miraculously the ruptures repaired themselves. He's prescribed antibiotics and washes on a regular basis. At the moment, he's also on a month's course of steroids. The idea is to go for a blitz in an attempt to eradicate the problem, or at least extend the distance in time between very painful episodes. To be honest, I'm not too confident about the use of steroids for dogs. At his worst, I have to sit up all night with him and massage his back, which gives him some comfort.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to pin a Cocker's ears back please, to increase the air flow and cool them down, please? I've tried everything I can think of, but nothing has worked. I thought a pair of tights with the legs cut off might do the trick, but my Jack was having none of it. He did look a picture though. 
Pegs are not suitable, because his ears are too sore to take the pressure.

For a year, in consultation with my Vet, I cooked all his meals, but I can't honestly say things improved. I also tried Thornits on the outer ear flap and I would say that did help a little.

Any advice would be most welcome. Sometimes, I think hands-on owners who experience firsthand, problems like these, can be extremely helpful. I'd be so grateful for any advice you may be able to offer me. x

[Patp]

Hi, glad you have found us!!

Fortunately no experience of chronic ear problems (fingers crossed), but somebody will be along shortly.

Have you seen snoods?  Here is a link, although I am sure there are others, just wondered if they could be made in a mesh type material and the ears could be somehow raised up whilst outside walking?

I know lots of people on here use them to prevent grass seeds, but they could be put to other uses with a little adaptation?

[JennyBee]

My girl Brodie is six and has always had ear problems - however a couple of years ago she had a pseudomonas infection, which although was cleared up relatively quickly (thank goodness) caused a whole load of other problems. For about a year she had one severe infection after another, and every time we thought we'd cleared it and began to decrease her medication it would flare up again. Finally she was referred to a specialist who managed to sort things out within three visits. It was expensive, but worth it. It turned out she'd also had her ear drums destroyed by the pseudomonas, and the infection was residing in her middle ear.

She still gets infections, but not as frequently or as severe as they were. They still cause a lot of problems though. Her left ear is narrowed and causes her constant pain, even with no infection present. Steroids aren't something I'm keen on either, but if the dog is able to take them then they can save the dog from a lot of pain - unfortunately Brodie had pancreatitis while on steroids (someone fed her sausages the day before) and she now can't take them as they make her ill. There are different steroid sprays and drops out there though, but they aren't as effective.

We've talked about allergy testing with the vet and it's something I'm interested in doing as I do suspect there may be something causing it (she has a skin condition too which doesn't help). I know diet is something a lot of people talk about as being instrumental, but due to Brodie's stomach I can't change her food easily so we are stuck on that front for the time being.

I wish I had advice which could help you, but all I can say is I know how hard it is and I really hope this latest treatment plan helps. If you haven't already seen a specialist I do really recommend it, as they may be able to sort things out where your own vet can't. I have used a scrunchie in the past to air out her ears - she wasn't impressed . I also try and keep them as dry as possible, no swimming etc.

Hope someone else can advise xx

[Mudmagnets]

I have found some of the biscuit treats and mixers not good for Minstrel's ears, could be that they contain wheat - he can tolerate fish4dogs or mariners choice biscuits tho, MC biscuits are made of fish and potato & f4dogs fish & rice flour.

[lexi]

For a year, in consultation with my Vet, I cooked all his meals, but I can't honestly say things improved.

Did you remove grains from his diet?

[DeniseS]

Thank you Patp for your advice about a snood. I hadn't heard of these before, but I don't think I could use one for Jack, because it would make his ears even hotter and restrict the airflow even more. Also, I can't see a way to lift the ear flaps, that he would tolerate. x

Thanks for the tips Mudmagnets. x

Lexi. Jack's diet doesn't contain anything with wheat, or any other cereal. He's also not allowed potatoes, because of the sugar content, which the bacteria thrive on, or rice which is very starchy and doesn't help the yeast problem. It's not easy to find the right ingredients that a dog needs which does exacerbate his health problems. x

[DeniseS]

Thank you so much for your post. We seem to have similar problems with our Cockers and I've decided, that if this latest, prolonged treatment doesn't work, I'll look into asking for a referral to a Specialist. Over the years, I must have spent thousands of pounds in treatment and it could well prove cost effective if a better solution can be found. I would definitely take this route before sanctioning ablation for both ears, if it's mentioned again. Has anyone had to resort to this kind of surgery? I dread the prospect.

Allergy tests are something I'm considering too. Jack also suffers from infections in his front paws and eyes. I think he worries at his feet during the night, whilst scratching his ears and rubbing his eyes at the same time and spreads the demon critters. I can control this during the day, but obviously not during the night. It's easier to clear the paws and eyes with antibiotics. As I live by the sea, the Vet advised that I walk him in the water and this does help his sore pads. I have to keep him on a short lead and we paddle together, being careful not to get his ears wet. Fortunately, he doesn't like swimming, (unlike my Jessie), so he's easy to control.

I found your post very helpful Jenny and am grateful you took the time to write. x

[JennyBee]

I've known a couple of dogs who have had the ablation (and hopefully one or two of them will post, I'm trying to remember who on here has had it done recently) and I think the general impression is that although it is a big surgery, overall it has led to a much greater quality of life. Definitely a last resort for me, but reading the results of others who have had it done makes me feel slightly less anxious at the thought.

Interesting that Jack also suffers with his paws and eyes. Brodie has seborrhoea which causes scabs to form and also causes her to get very flaky skin. Both the specialist and my own vet have said that skin and ear conditions are very prevalent in cockers (and so, it seems, is pancreatitis - my poor girl really seems to have all the bad luck!).

It's amazing how expensive a condition ear infections can be, I really dread to think how much Brodie's ears have cost over the last few years - thankfully she is insured! The specialist alone was about £1000 for three appointments!

[DeniseS]

It seems that Brodie and Jack have many shared symptoms, Jenny. He too, has always had dry, flaky skin and is inclined to be an itchy dog. When he brushes against our clothing he leaves a very distinct, white deposit on them. He's also prone to suffering localised boils and abscesses resulting from the scratching.

He's now beginning his fourth and last week on steroids, but I shall be 'phoning my Vet tomorrow, to discuss stopping the treatment. Initially, he was on four steroids tablets a day and in the second week he developed chronic diarrhoea and was extremely lethargic. Having read of Brodie's terrible ordeal with pancreatitis I do wonder if the tablets were responsible for his malaise. I've researched this complaint and there are many worrying similarities with symptoms Jack has displayed. As I said, I've never liked the use of hormones for people, or animals. I refused HRT myself, because I don't like anything that interferes with the critical chemistry of the body. That's just my hunch!

Whilst Jessie is insured, (only ever visiting the Vet for her annual jabs,) Jack was uninsurable, because of his pre-existing ear problems when I rescued him. It will be a struggle, but I will find the fees if he requires ablations. It would be so helpful to read of another members experience who have trodden the ablation path.

I'm learning so much and couldn't be more pleased to have found this marvellous site. Thanks for your input Jenny. x

[JennyBee]

This was Brodie's coat when her skin condition first was triggered:



Thankfully she's never been quite as flaky as that again, but the scabs and sores are a problem. She has to get two baths a weeks when it flares up - it makes for one very unhappy Brodie! There is a new medication out, Apoquel, which has had fantastic results, so we may have to use that in the future.

I think you are right to check with your vet: I know many, many dogs do fine on steroids, but Brodie's experience has left me wary of them. The one time we tried her on them after her pancreatitis bout led to one very upset stomach, and she had to come off them. It makes treating her issues much harder, but they are no longer an option for us.

I think I've remembered the member whose dog had the ablation recently - I'll send her a pm and see if she can come on and give her experience.

[Lily Freya]

Hi there.

Just wanted to reassure you that if it comes about that you need to take the surgery option, don't be fearful.

My Lily had years of steroids, painkillers and ear treatment of one kind or another.

As soon as the initial trauma of major surgery was over though, she had a painfree existence and a completely new lease of life.

I wish you lots of luck.  It is not a nice experience you are going through. X

[BobnDot]

We had an ablation performed on a labrador several years ago following unsuccessful treatment with the usual ear flushes, steroid drops, painkillers, antibiotics etc.

Total ablation on one ear and an external ablation on the other. Both were performed at the same time to ease the anaesthetic and recovery load and, although the recovery did take a while, the results were well worth it.

Bob.

[DeniseS]

Many thanks to Jenny, Ollie and Bob, for invaluable advice regarding ablation. I must say I feel more reassured after you posted your experiences. I'll still dread the op', but I'm beginning to see that it's probably the only way to go, to serve Jack's best interests. We've battled on for 6 1/2 years and nothing has really worked - just taken the edge off things.

I'll book an appointment with my Vet, to discuss the possibility of ablation in detail. I suppose I'll have to begin with reducing Jack's weight, which has increased due to his insatiable appetite after a three week course of steroids. Although he has a very long Cocker pedigree, many other dog lovers have queried if he has some Clumber spaniel in him. He's certainly much larger than Jessie and most others in the breed. Even my Vet isn't 100% sure and allows him the top-end of the weight he should be.

Thank you all again. x

[6thSense]

Hi my rescue blue roan boy Harvey had a chronic ear infection called Pseudomonas in one of his ears for some time. We threw absolutely everything at it, vets meds lotions potions and pills, herbal lotions, potions and pills. He had many ear flushes. Everything seemed to help for a time, but it always returned and with a vengeance. I would be careful with snoods as yes they keep ears up and tidy, but they do not necc let the air into the canal as they keep the ears bunched up inside against the canals themselves. What we did with Harvey is we clipped his ears mega short. Especially inside around the canal opening and kept it that way. Not my look of choice as I love long spaniel ears, but it was for his happiness and comfort, so I did not think twice about doing it. Eventually after a lot of thought we decided the op to remove the ear canal was the only option left for him on advice from our vets who had worked tirelessly with us to try and prevent this. He was a very unhappy dog though that screamed in pain every single day when we had to treat his ears. He was terrified of any of the other dogs bumping into him & he was very down and depressed. So we threw one last lot of pills at it to try to get rid of as much infection and swelling as we could and finally went for the op. It was not an easy decision at all as it is a big op that could have complications, but I trust our vets, we really had no choice & we also had the best surgeon there working on him. After all the worry I have been gobsmacked at how quickly and well he came threw the op and the recovery. He healed amazing well and has bounced back to the dog I new before this horrid infection in no time at all. He is now all healed and free from any pain and not one complication unless you include the fact he had eye drops for a bit as they were worried his eye may not close fully and go dry. It did and no more eye drops. No more medication at all. Apart from the fact he still has one side of his head and ear much shorter than the other you would not know he had ever had it done. He had his whole ear canal removed and the vets said it was no wonder he was in such pain as his ear canal was literally crumbling away it was that bad. It was such a difficult decision to make, but I am so glad I bit the bullet and did it for him. Obviously you must try everything you can to avoid the op, but please don't be afraid of it. For us at least it was not nearly as bad as I expected it to be and has worked out extremely positively for us, but most importantly for Harvey who is a happy merry cocker once again. Best wishes to you & Jack. x

[DeniseS]

Many, many thanks for giving me your and Harvey's experiences, Sarah. I'm so pleased that, in the end, your boy has benefited greatly from having an ablation and he is now enjoying a much improved quality of life. I can now see some light at the end of Jack's tunnel. x

My Vet is currently on holiday until 22nd September and although I could chat with his partner, I'd rather wait to discuss this op' with him, as he knows Jack so well. I am feeling so much more hopeful, since joining the Forum and I must say you have all been so generous with your advice and support. I'm very grateful. x