I'm very glad it's Luke's second birthday - but the day was not as we expected :-( He spent it at the vet's having a GA in order to have his ears examined and treated. The house was so empty without him! It's the first time in 2 years that I've been at home and he's been away for so long....

Anyway, the vet says the underlying cause of his ear infection is almost certainly an allergy, and the ear canal is already starting to thicken. We now have to embark on an 8-12 week trial of an anti-allergy prescription diet and absolutely nothing else, to see if it's a food allergy. If not he will probably be on life-long medication. :-( I am shocked, I really thought he only had ear mites, and a short course of drops would sort it out.

However, it's wonderful to have him home again, and we'll celebrate his special day tomorrow. :-)

Anyone else with experience of ear allergies? I'm still in shock! :-(

I had a dog once who was very allergic, ears paws, belly, after costing hundreds at the vets in steroids and potions/creams I found the best help was piriton ;)  The vet wasn't willing to test him as he suspected the dog was allergic to loads of things.  In those days the only food I found that helped him was the Linda Mc Cartney Vegetarian dog food - until it disappeared from the shops :( It's a lot easier these days, there are loads of hypoallergenic foods for dogs :)

Hope you find something that works soon :)

Regards
Dill

What breed is Luke?  I have similar 'allergic' reactions with my Sussex Spaniel.  She itches the base of her tail, and when really bad reduces her skin to raw!  Her ears are also affected, and my vet too said that it may be a life long thing with tablets etc....

Have some baby piriton... would anyone recomend that with dogs?

Clare

Luke is a black labrador. He's only had symptoms of ear problems for a few days, no problems elsewhere, but the vet says on examining his ear canals the problem has been creeping up for weeks or even months.....:-(

Poor Luke, give him a hug from me!

Thanks, I will.He's enjoyed his birthday presents a day late. :-)

Poor Luke, at least he had a nice birthday - even with poorly ears.

Don;t beat yourself up about the fact this has been building up, not all of us notice everything about our pets, esp if they are their usual bouncy selves. 

The most important thing is the fact Luke is getting treatment and this will releive the irritation in his ears.

Happy birthday Luke,

Clare

Thanks, Clare! :-)