tio was shaking his head, scratching his ear and whining last night so i cleaned out his ears (had done them very recently already). one of them (the one he was scratching) was really manky and was bleeding a little inside (but given the scratching he was doing thats understandable). he settled down a bit after i'd cleaned it but it was clearly still bothering him.he's a good bit better today but its still there so we're trying to find a vet we can get to with him but they all close by the time we get off work. if we can't find one does anyone have a suggestion to try and keep it under control? my parents should have ear drops but i can't get to them till friday.

hoping you lots fantastic tips can help.

Take care with ear drops. I've learned from work that it's quite easy for the eardrum to become perforated with ear infections, and then the wrong sort of drops can cause further damage; the ears should really be checked with an auroscope to make sure the drum's still intact before you put anything down them.

> Take care with ear drops. I've learned from work that it's quite easy for the eardrum to become perforated with ear infections, and then the wrong sort of drops can cause further damage; the ears should really be checked with an auroscope to make sure the drum's still intact before you put anything down them.

these are ones he's had before, he does get ear infections from time to time. if his ear drum was perforated would he be showing any signs of it? (other than those that just fit with an ear infection)

Surprisingly, no, that's what makes it so difficult. :-( Are they prescription drops?

(I confess here that I'm shocking for hanging on to half-used medications 'just in case', when I know that for safety's sake they should be disposed of. I really should know better, but am far too much of a skinflint!)

yes they were prescription.

> I know that for safety's sake they should be disposed of. I really should know better, but am far too much of a skinflint!)

lol, given how much they cost its not unreasonable to be! the drops were prescribed for both tio and mum and dads youngest bitch keeper as they both kept getting infections and passing them back and forth by licking each others ears (mmm, tasty). they have both not had them since tio moved in with us. i think mum and dad were actually told to keep hold of these and use as needed because the pair of them were so prone to it.

When my dogs ears are bothering them, even after they have been cleaned out its the hotness in the ear, i put sudocrem on flap and rim to cool it down and its less iritating and soothes it a little.

Louise

good tip thanks. just had a wrd with dad and apparently the vet gave them one last time that i can get in the shops so nipping to pet shop at lunch time.

we cannot find a vet that is still open this afternoon.

this is nutty though, he's not needed a vet since we got him till this month when he's been 5 times! (repeat appointments for a dodgy knee, behaviourist and now maybe this). never rains eh?

Once the infection is cleared, you might want to use Thornit Powder to keep the ears clean and prevent further infections.

ok, sounds good. what is it exactly?

Ear infections can be quiet common with bullmastiffs my lucy had them all her life, get a saline solution fill the eat with as much of it as you can fold his ear over so it does not run out then rub behind his ear right at the base of it, just behing his jaw, the infection is cause by a build up of wax deep in the ear and its this build up you have to try and break down we used to do this at least once a week for lucy but just remember when ur finished take cover quick because as they shake any fluid left and any gunk will fly about and hit you. Also have you tryed Thornit? We used to put a pinch in lucys ear roughly once a fortnight. When lucy perferated her ear drum we had no idea untill the vets had knocked her for a flush of the ear and showed no signs of discomfort.

> just remember when ur finished take cover quick because as they shake any fluid left and any gunk will fly about and hit you

lol i remember this from one we had when i was wee.

thanks all, will try and work on it tonight.

> what is it exactly?

Its one of those 'original..but still the best' staples of any good dog 'medicine cabinet' (or 'top right draw' in our kitchen ;) )
A canker powder in essence (from the original 1907 recipe), has Iodoform and Boric which are bacteriocidals and antiseptic (active ingredients)
Iodoform generally was used in a paste form in dentistry and WWI mixed with parafin in field surgery on blast injuries (I have dressing in my medics kit that are Iodoform impregnated for wound packing, so its still very much used today)
    Aparently Boric works so well because in powder form it breaks down the exoskeleton of insects (The ear & anal mites) So there you go, potted history ;) You might see it as Dr.W. Watermans... or is it Mr.W?? I cant rememeber!!
edited to say: ah no! Its Mr.W.Watermans! (hope Ive remembered that right?)

Bloomin good bit of kit (If you cant find it tonight or tomorrow..then search products at pet shops that you can get to for the ingredients of Thornit, there are a few other products there that have mimicked Thornit's success, So you should be able to find some relief for you'r Lad.)

HTH?

You can buy it here (scroll down page) as Dezyna Dog GOLDDUST  it's the same stuff and is brilliant

http://www.dezynadog.co.uk/shop/index.php?cPath=38&osCsid=8...6cf40654fedf9ae2e941590a4

or you can get it here (scroll down the page)

http://www.hubintsecured.co.uk/acatalog/Ears.html

Both are great to deal with
Hope this helps

Kim, I am sure I have some thornit in the house if you want it.   The chances of finding anywhere open today are slim.  I'll pm you my phone number if you want to give me a shout and I will look it out for you.

Have also used thornit and found it very good.  I have found that it depends on what is causing the problem.  A lot of the time it can be a yeast infection.  Mix 1/2 apple cider vinegar with 1/2 water, soak large cotton wool pad and gently clean twice a day.  This has helped Beau a great deal as she has been prone to this for years. Good luck

thats really helpful HG, thanks. will get some :)

he's doing much better now. got the drops he'd had from the vet and they seem to be helping. thanks guys :)