Ear Infection? What can I do?

[StateOfMine]

Naturally this problem pops up on Labor Day morning and a day before his ear cropping appointment. Flint started shaking his head early this morning, and I admit even my ears are itchy and uncomfortable. My allergies have been horrendous lately and if dobermans are prone to allergies I can only imagine how miserable he is.. I looked in his left ear which seems to be the one that is most irritated and aside from ear wax I didn't see anything. My husband checked too, though neither of us are vets.

As I type this, he is whining a bit in his crate. He rarely does this, and he's had sand spurs (goat heads to some) deep in his paw a few times without even so much as a grumble. He's a tough dog. I'm trying to be calm but I am in mini-panic mode. Is there anything I can do for pain relief for him? I will run to Wal-Mart the instant it opens and grab cleaning wipes, but his ears are so little I'm afraid I can't get deep enough to clean them out completely. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Will this affect his ear cropping appointment? He is already 9 weeks, which I believe is the last chance for ear cropping to take place?

 

[Ddski5]

Does he whine outside his crate? He is a not only a young pup but a Doberman pup that wants to be with his folks. He is most definitely going to whine and be unhappy. Doing all kinds of shenanigans to get you to let him out. Good that you are crate training though.

Head shaking? Again, young pup that may be getting use to those big ears. If you do not see any drainage, green/yellow goo and he’s not scratching at his ears, he is fine.

Also, infected ears have a really funky smell.

I may mention it to the vet when you bring him in, they can take a deeper look before surgery.

Tbh, I would encourage the vet to do the surgery and get some antibiotics postop.

 

[Panama]

Tbh, I would encourage the vet to do the surgery and get some antibiotics postop.

I second this idea. But if he does have an ear infection I would make sure his ears are up on a cup (or folded over his head) and NOT smothered with tape!

 

[StateOfMine]

He usually only whines in his crate when he hasn't burned up his crackhead energy, which takes about an hour and a half to two hours of playing and practicing commands back and forth. I've dropped 3lbs already from this guy!

But even when he whines, I haven't heard it last more than 20 seconds before he settles down. Thank you breeder.

The head shaking has slowed down quite a bit. Maybe its something minor that is working itself out. There is no redness, no discharge and no weird smell. He might be alright but I still will run it by the vet.

 

[StateOfMine]

Update on this although its so late. Flint had fox tails, or cheat grass, in his ear. The vet removed it while he was under anesthesia for his ear cropping. We haven't had that problem since getting his ears cropped. I'm hoping when his ears stand I'll be able to see those pesky things before they get too deep. It seems like floppy ears hide those and then usher them into the ear canal quickly.

 

[Ddski5]

That’s great news.

How is everything going with his ears?

 

[StateOfMine]

That’s great news.

How is everything going with his ears?

So far so good. They healed very nicely and I am keeping them up in posts. I don't like how much the left ear sags compared to the right, but he does seem to have control over it.

 

[Ddski5]

So far so good. They healed very nicely and I am keeping them up in posts. I don't like how much the left ear sags compared to the right, but he does seem to have control over it.

There were times with my first Doberman in which I was unsure of his left ear….his left ear always seemed to be weaker than his right. So I would put a bridge on the post for 2-3 days just to see what would happen. Don’t really know if that made such a difference- didn’t set his ears back but it did allow me to feel better and give that left ear a support if it needed it.