Jacob's Problems

[Judy Vincent]

Hi,

I've been on this forum before last year.  I have a five year old blue roan cocker spaniel with malasezzia skin condition which he has had since a pup in varying degrees of severity.  Many diets, shampoos and conditioners have been tried but he's stuck with it and I deal with it via Malasab, keeping him regularly clipped (especially inside his ear flaps) and watching his diet (many of your users suggested the BARF diet which has made things a lot easier, thank you).  

With his skin, he get regular ear infections (about every six weeks on average) - usually one but more often both ears - and this is despite careful attention and regular cleaning with Leo.   As this is part and parcel of his condition, we (and I include Jacob) are very much resigned to this.

I have stayed with the same vets and the till there used to burst into action whenever they us both of us coming.   They were kind and sympathetic but could only ever come up with bandaid solutions (plus most of them looked around 12.. and I didn't ever think I was getting the benefit of any veterinary experience with this condition).   I changed vets a few months ago and feel that Jacob is in very good hands at last.  More sympathy, the same kind of treatment but this time they have offered Jacob an operation on his ears which would do away with the narrow ear canals he currently has and make it more like human ears (ie would be less of a breeding ground for infection).   They would do one ear at a time (£500 for each year) and both vets I have spoken to have recommended this as a salvage operation.  It's not a very nice operation for him and his ears would have to be totally infection-free beforehand (a bit of a tall order at the moment....).  

I wondered why, despite my very best efforts, these infections keep coming and are occurring much more often than, say a couple of years ago.  Apparently, this is because after each infection/treatment, the ear canal is getting narrower so a solution is becoming ever-more urgent.

At the moment, I am treating him for an infection in both ears, his skin is bad (it always is in summer especially when it is warm and humid) but in the time I have to make up my mind what's best for him, I wonder if any of your forum users have any experience of this skin condition, the operation we have been offered and whether it has been successful for other cocker owners with malasezzia or any other skin condition?

I don't have a picture to post, but he is a lovely boy, very intelligent, a great guard dog, loves his grub and wonderful with kids.   And, of course, he is great to handle (well, he'd have to be, wouldn't he?!)



 

[Jane S]

Sorry Judy, don't have any experience of Malassezia but one of our old Cockers (now sadly departed) did have an aural resection done on one of her ears when she was younger. I think this is the surgery your vet is suggesting? It was drastic surgery & took a long time to heal but it was effective - no more ear infections in that ear. So I'd say it was worth considering as a last resort. Have you tried Thornit ear powder at all? This can work when all other treatments have failed - several Cocker owners I know were told their dogs needed aural resections but after using Thornit regularly, they were able to manage their dog's ears without the need for surgery so it's perhaps something to think about (if you haven't already)

Jane

[Toohey]

Hi there Judy,
there is an experienced breeder (specialises in herbal supplements/remedies) on a website I visit in Oz who recommends the addition of apple cider vinegar (raw and unflitered) from the health food shop, to the dog's daily diet. It kills bacteria on contact and boosts immune systems. I have been adding it now for six months and my dogs have never been healthier.
My girl had lip fold dermatitis which disappeared after a week or so and never returned, and my boy, who used to get the occasional tummy bug from drinking murky creek water hasn't had the runs once, since I started feeding it. Nor have we been to the vet for anything else.
I add a tiny splash to their meals every day.
It has also been recommended to be used as a rinse for skin conditions.
Might be worth a try. Can't hurt.
Good luck.

[scoobie]

Hi Judy
I can understand perfectly where your coming from because my dog scoobie kept getting re-occurring ear infections for about 18months he was on steroids antibiotics ,eardrops and cleaners ,ear washes under anesthetic etc you name it he had it done nothing absolutely nothing helped him. The vet suggested surgery and I didn't want him to have an op done but after long long talks with my hubbie we decided to go ahead and wish to this day that I never put him through it even after  the op he still had an infection which meant more drops etc
I started to look at his diet and changed to BARF I also give supplements vit c etc to keep his immune system 100%. He also has cider apple vinegar every day he didn't like the taste at first but if you start with a teaspoonful then gradually increase it they grow to like the taste I now see a homeopathic vet which I haven't seen for 14months because scoobie is so well .I have seen the other vet recently to remove a tick but refused antibiotic jab which I felt wasn't neccessary(that's another story)
Hope this helps and all the very best whatever you decide to do
Edith
P.S. have you tried thornit? I swear by the stuff

[Toohey]

Scoobie, have you noticed much difference since introducing the ACV?

[scoobie]

Toohey
 I think it's more an acculumation (sp?)of vits and diet as well as giving ACV so to answer your question ..yes it's good stuff
Edith

[kookie]

Hello,
When we had our old lady (we lost her to cancer 5 years ago), she sounds very much like the stuff you are experiencing. She had aural resection in both ears when she was about 7. It was the best thing we ever did. It was a horrific operation, specially because she had both done at the same time, but after healing, it improved her quality of life no end.
I'd definately recomend it, and I wouldn't hesitate again if any of my three needed it.

[PennyB]

Hi there Judy,
there is an experienced breeder (specialises in herbal supplements/remedies) on a website I visit in Oz who recommends the addition of apple cider vinegar (raw and unflitered) from the health food shop, to the dog's daily diet. It kills bacteria on contact and boosts immune systems. I have been adding it now for six months and my dogs have never been healthier.
 

Yes I've seen somewhere else re using ACV. Can you use the stuff you get from any supermarket or does it have to be a certain grade or whatever.

Also saw somewhere where they also used a little of it in a preparation in the ears as well.

[scoobie]

Penny try www.crossgatesfarm.co.uk website is under construction at the mo but you can access it by typing in apple cider vinegar on google
 Edith

[Judy Vincent]

Thank you so very much for your replies.  It's a big comfort to come across other cocker owners who understand where I am coming from.  All my "doggy" friends seem to have the perfect pet (but there's no such thing, is there?) and offer me sympathy but I've never found any real solutions for Jacob's problems.  In fact, the skin condition he has is as a result of something he is allergic to but the vet has advised me not to even go there as I will never get to the bottom of it all.  I had in fact tried cutting out all the obvious things when he was younger without much success as that's always the first thing you seem to do with a skin condition.

Well, I have been on the Champion Pet Supplies website (which is superb) and have ordered some Thornit.  As soon as I have finished with the current steroid treatment for his ears, I'll start him on straightaway.  There is also a "contact us" link and I have emailed them in case they have any further advice.

Thank you for the ACV advice - I shall be trying this, too.  I went on a website which did suggest putting a drop or two in his ears and using it as a rinse after his bath.  

It's also comforting to know that some of you have had success with aural resection on your dogs and that I do have a last resort.

Any further posts would be very welcome.  In the meantime, I will let you know how we get on.

Judy and Jacob
 

[Michele]

Click here to read more about Apple Cider Vinegar. Sounds like good old Mother Nature has got it sorted once again    

[Toohey]

Can you use the stuff you get from any supermarket or does it have to be a certain grade or whatever.

 

In Pat Coleby's excellent book, "Natural Pet Care" she talks of the ACV as well. She recommends buying the raw, unfiltered variety from health food shops.

My breeder has a bitch who has had recurring lip fold dermatitis and I put her on to this as well. It has completely diappeared. No more smelly kisses. You can wipe it directly on to the infected areas, but also add a small splash to their food every day, even when they are well.
 

[bluegirl]

Thyme is a great herb also it can be taken internally as an infusion and has antiseptic properties, so does a daily dose of garlic. Raw lemon juice and water can help cleanse the ear or witch hazel extract. Dust the ear over with a bit of finely powdered oatmeal afterwards.

It is true that scar tissue from numerous ear infections can narrow the canal, but as to the effectiveness of surgery I can not comment.

From Karen