Louies ear has a discharge coming from inside it? What could it be?

[louiebeans mum]

I have an appointment at the vets tomorrow evening but needed some advise as to what it could be.  I noticed earlier today that Louie was shaking his head and it was irritating him.  I went to clean them and discovered that the inside of his ear was covered in what I can only describe as a dried discharge.  I looked as if it had been weeping?  When I tried to clean it he was yelping so was obviously hurting him bless him.  I cleaned it and it looked a bit red and sore and he kept shaking his head. I tried to look down as far as I could and it looked clear further down and only appeared to be the outer part of his ear that was effected?  I put some thornits powder in it and it seemed to dry it up ok and looked fine.   I have just checked again and it has this dried discharge on it again and sounds very squelchy (sp?)  It is still bothering him and I feel so helpless.

I would take him to the vets in the morning but I have my first pregnancy scan to go to so could only do it in the afternoon. 

Does anyone know what this could be?  Doe it sound like an ear infection?  I was a bit puzzled with the discharge which is drying yellowy.  It doesn't smell?

I'm worried as he rolled in foxes poo the other week - could he have caught something from this?  He is given stronghold on a monthly basis as he is on contact with foxes but could he still have caught something?

[spanielcrazy]

poor Louie, sounds like he has an ear infection. There are so many causes it's hard to say how he got it. What you're probably seeing is excess wax that builds up from infection.

An evening vet appointment will be fine. Even though it's bothering him, he'll be ok til tomorrow. The vet wll also be able to look in there and see if there is anything in there, like a small seed or something.

Since you're already going to the vet, I'd leave it alone till the vet sees it so he/she can get a good look in the ear.

Let us know what you find out!

[Joules]

Yes, I would let the vet have a good look and once it has be sorted out get some Thornits powder to prevent any recurrence!

Hope all goes well with the scan too! 

[louiebeans mum]

Just got back from the vets and he has an ear infection!!  Got drops to put in twice a day - she said that I had caught it early as she has seen a lot worse.  The discharge is right at the bottom of the ear canal but looks quite dry down there so hopefully it will be cleared up in no time.

Also got him some more Stronghold whilst I was there to keep the foxes mange at bay.  Poor little man had is anal glands emptyed whilst I was there too as he was scooting - it seemed to cause him a lot of pain as he yelped loads bless him - its like having a live in skunk tonight though now - he hums

[*Jay*]

Poor Louie - hopefully the drops will help. I had Disney to the vets last weekend and he has a raging infection in both ears  He got injections and drops that contain anti-inflammatory and antibiotic. First time in about 4 years one fo mine has had ear probs so not bad going. Told the vet I used Thornit on a regular basis and that got poo-pood but I didn't mind too much as it was the very good looking vet 

[JaspersMum]

Told the vet I used Thornit on a regular basis and that got poo-pood but I didn't mind too much as it was the very good looking vet 

I had a similar reaction when I asked about Thornit at our Louies 6 month check up, keen to mention what they give "Clean Aural" !