Took my dog to the vet.

[leighann79]

She started shaking her head funny (Wed) so I thought she may have ear mites. Took her to the vet (Friday) and she has an ear infection. (honestly I'm not sure if it was just one or both. I do know that the right ear is worse though)
It's such a bad infection that they are going to put her under to completely clean out her ears. That may not be enough. The vet is talking about two different surgeries she may need. One he can do and the other we would need to drive her up to three hours (or more) away to get done. That one requires them to remove the ear canal to more thoroughly clean it.

I feel so bad for my poor dog. She is so uncomfortable and we have to wait until Tuesday for her appointment just to clean out the infection. I had no idea anything was wrong before Wednesday. Since she was a puppy (when my MIL or SIL had her) she has rubbed her head on the floor, so that didn't seem like any kind of symptom. Wednesday she started giving like half shakes of her head which made me concerned. I couldn't get her into the vet until Friday. That was still quick enough that I didn't expect such a bad infection.

I'm so very glad that she's our dog now though. I know that if SIL or MIL and FIL had her they wouldn't have taken her to the vet yet. MIL probably would have treated her for ear mites at home. DH is determined that she will get what ever she needs to get healed up even if it has to go on the credit card.

[SkylarVT]

I would get a second opinion if your vet keeps talking surgury. From reading your other post about the dog having been abused I can see how the vet may need to sedate her for a deep cleaning, (plus they can trim her nails and groom her feet at the same time), but unless she has had severe or repeated ear infections for a long time a good cleaning plus antibiotics should clear it up. Ear surgury is very invasive so I would avoid it if possible.

[leighann79]

It went well. They cleaned her ears out and didn't feel she needed surgery. Right now we have two different drops to put in her ears (two drops each twice a day). The vet feels one ear will clear up great with this and is hoping the other ear will too. He said this is something that has been going on for a long time. She most likely came to us this way. (we got her in February)
He also mentioned that her skin is much improved. Said we had done an excellent job in helping that. (mentioned in my previous post about stinky dog) That was great news!
She seems to be doing much better. Hates the drops of course (lol) but in a better mood.

[mom0810]

I think I posted to you about this in Feb., but it really sounds like your dog has chronic ear infections stemming from terrible allergies. Allergies can make dogs have chronic ear infections. Usually it is a food allergy. If her skin is clearing up, I am sure you have her on better food. I am so glad her skin is better, and I think with the allergies managed, you should have the ear problem taken care of, too.

Did they say any thing about vestibular problems stemming from the ear infection? That's what I thought of when you said she was shaking her head funny.

[leighann79]

We put her on Solid Gold. The MMillenia Beef and Barley.

I'm not sure if they said anything about vestibular problems or not. To be honest so much went over my head at the time. I was a bit overwhelmed. I picked up what I could through the big words.

[leighann79]

Another small update. Marley is definitely feeling better. She has much more energy and is always excited and ready to go somewhere with us. (even when there is no plans for her to go LOL) I think our walks with her will be much better.
I'm so very glad that she is feeling good.