Breeze has an ear infection and we are having to put drops in her ear. We have had to muzzle her because she is so much pain that she doesn't want us touching the area and has made it pretty clear. When the vet tried, she did try to bite her, but more out of fear and anxiety.

Anyway, when I had to pick up new drops for her (as the old ones were not working), I did mention that for the first and only time in nearly 2 years, the first time we put the drops in and she went mental, I was scared and she said that she may be an agressive dog. I was astounded and fought her corner. Just because of her breed, that does not make her aggressive amd she is one of the friendliest dogs you would ever meet. When she greets people, she sits first, all she wants is a cuddle. She is a big softie but because the breed is getting bad publicity, why assume that she is aggressive. It doesn't help when vets put them in the 'possible aggressive' category as well without knowing the facts.

I wasn't sure if I should start looking for a different vet, what do you guys think? Maybe I am over-reacting, but she is my baby (until the real one comes along).

hi i will not say anythink about the aggression but could she have a burst ear drum my lab had a very bad ear infection and after being on drop,s for three day,s his drum burst we only picked up on it because when i put the drop,s in the next time he shook from head to paw and was in a great deal of pain hope she is alright soon give her a big hug

My dog is that way inclined too.  My vet said what a shame she doesn't trust you - I was upset by that.  I have realised the mistakes I made when she was a puppy and easy to handle - she is very sensitive (a BC) and since being spayed she doesn't trust the vet one single bit!   I can quite see how dogs who are nervous and snap out of fear can become more agressive if not handled in the correct way so by saying that your dog 'may be an agressive dog' I suppose she was right.  I asked for help when my dog had an ear infection - the vet gave me the phone no. for a behaviourist.  I didn't make contact and luckily the ear didn't flare up as badly as your poor dog.  You are lucky you can put a muzzle on your dog - I can't put anything on mine.  The vet said she would have to be sedated for treatment.  I know what I should be doing with my dog to get her used to being handled but what I do at home is not going to change her attitude towards the vet.  Hope the ear infection is better now.

She is normally really good at the vet, but it was just this instance that she wasn't happy. She is a pushover in our house, our staffie rules. She does trust us, but I am not sure she realises that we are only trying to help. The first muzzle I got her last week was way too big, but I was not able to get a new one until yesterday and she was much better in this. We give her a couple of biscuts after so that she knows she has done well. There is lots of praise. I can't do it alone as she is now 43 kilo. She was much better this eveneng. At least these new drops are only once a day.

The vet wants to see her again in 10 days (at least we have the muzzle for her now) if it hasn't cleared up, they want to put her under GA and flush the ear. We had a swad done and it is an infection and luckily nothing more sinister than a perforated ear drum.

Let's hope it was just the pain that made her touchy then - she sounds much easier going then mine.  You just reminded me to do some more work with the muzzle to get her used to it before I try to put it on her - it will be a long process.    Hope everything clears up soon without further treatment. 

Good idea. We took it on and off before we even attemted the ear drop fiasco again. We tried to disassoicate it with a negative thing.

How does a dog, or any animal, tell you a treatment flipping hurts, stop it? Dosent mean they don't trust you, or are aggressive. They just want you to stop hurting them. You can't explain like you can to a human that 'this is going to hurt' so if it is, the only thing you can do is muzzle to protect yourself, perform whats needed, and give lots of love after. I hope the problem with the ear is sorted out.

I hope that you keep a very close eye on her ear. A friend lost her young bitch aged 2 last year year due to an infected ear that was incorrectly treated. It turned into something else (chronic Psuedomonas infection - which I was told was something to do with infection in the brain?) and she had to be PTS as she was in so much pain. :( Sending {{hugs}} (gentle ones, so as to not hurt her ear ;) ) to her. Poor thing.

Thanks all, really appreciate your replies. My last dog hd severe ear problems and in the end had to have 5 operations on them which left him predominanly deaf. Not once did we ever have to muzzle him in the vet. It just goes to show that every dog is different. I will of course hug her for you all, and she sends you all a sloppy kiss back.

So sorry to hear about your poor dog,my dog had earmites last summer really bad,after the vet put all kinds of stuff into his ears,we came home,he cried his eyes out and paced and panted and was really distressed,it must of been really painful,we know this because,(and dont try this at home,because its a bit stupid)but my husband had a bad ear full of wax and the only thing in the house was the ear wash for the dog,so we tried it,and he said it burned like hell and ended up pouring warm water in his ear to get it out.
I was annoyed as ear wash shouldn't hurt.
love and hugs for your dog,hope he gets better soon,Ash.

i think that what a lot of people forget about taking their dogs to the vet is the fact that we generally only take then when they are either having innoculations which invloves a small amount of pain or when they are in pain or ill and then they have to get heir tender parts prodded and poked, so it is hardly surprising that even the most friendly dog can snap at the vet.

Imagine going to the dentist with a sore tooth and the dentist sticking his instruments into the painful area, isnt this how so many people are frightened to go to the dentist!!!

Just remember that vets are not (usually) behaviourists.

If you know your dog is not aggressive, then don't worry about it :) easier said than done.

Lindsay
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Good news.

I guess the infection is going down as she is letting us put her drops in with ease. this must be a sign that its not hurting so much.

I know that you are right, she is not aggressive, but I would not expect a vet to say that in any case.

Glad to hear she is on the mend.