One of my breeder friends e-mailed me this morning mentioning that her pregnant bitch had an ear infection, her vet prescribed her a stronger ear drop named Otomax, not having used it, I did a search on their manufactor notes and found that it said, Do not administer to pregnant or lactating bitches

I quickly phoned her to tell her, she has subsiquently phoned her vet who apologised and is now swopping it for Surolan tomorrow.

Now I've actually used Surolan once when my bitch was pregnant, but having also checked this out on the web too, it also says it is not recommended for pregnant bitches??? And I can't find anywhere that seems to have tested it either.

Don't wish to alarm her unnecessarily, has anyone else used it with a pregnant bitch? Her vet said it was ok and obviously mine must have thought so too.

Anyone had any bad side affects or have any recommendations or input on this at all???

Thanks.

Jenna.

All I could find was this

http://www.noahcompendium.co.uk/janssen_animal_health/documents/S4065.html

it says:

>Operator warnings: Do not handle the product if you are allergic to the ingredients in the product.Rinse splashes off immediately. Wash hands after use. Corticosteroids may produce irreversible effects in the skin. They can be absorbed and may have harmful effects, especially with frequent and extensive contact or when used in pregnancy. Always wear single use disposable gloves when applying the product to animals.<

More info below

http://www.noahcompendium.co.uk/Janssen_Animal_Health/Surolan/-34023.html

http://www.noahcompendium.co.uk/Schering-Plough_Animal_Health/Otomax_Ear_Drops_Suspension/-34548.html

Thank you Missie and Christine,

Surolan certainly does seem to imply it should not be given to preganant bitches too doesn't it?

Oh dear, what do you do, when her vet said it is ok? I wonder if there are any herbal remedies she can take instead, I don't know what kind of ear infection she has, does anyone know of anything that could be safe? As I guess you can't leave ear infections really can you?

Garlic is a good ear cleaner You need to have the smelly garlic perles & squeeze one into the ear could clear up the infection

Thornit also clears up ear infections

Well.... if in doubt a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water on a cottonball,wiping over the area will create a ph that is difficult,well nigh on impossible for Bacterium or yeast to grow.

If she knows its Bacterial then saline solution.
                      If Yeast; def vinegar/water mix (no Hydrogen peroxide!!)

I use thornit its a good all rounder.. I dont know how it is for pregnancy though.

Hi I know when Lawna was pregnant with her last litter, she had a bad ear infection. She couldnt have any ear drops (Told it contains steroids) But my vet perscribed some powdered antibiotic which I had to mix with saline solution. It worked very well. Trying to find invoice to see what it was called..lol

Just thought half way through the news.....colloidal silver??

Thank you soooooo.... much MM, HG and Leomad, I have passed all of your remedies onto her, your all stars.  Thanks!

Well, here is an amazing update, my friend has just called me, she went to her vet this morning to get a refund on the Otomax and to refuse the Surolan, she saw the head vet, who apparently has told her, it would have been ok, the steroids in the ear drops at worst would not have affected the pups but may cause her bitch to go into labour quicker as it would act as an inducement.

Well, her bitch has 3 weeks to go!!!!  She only gave the one medication after my original phone call to her, and of course is now worried sick her bitch may deliver early.  I can't believe it!!!  I've told her I am sure she will be perfectly fine after all it was only one squirt she used, but how irresponsible, who would want their bitch to deliver earlier, I expect the vet has been looking up side effects after her initial call to her as I doubt any vet would have given it otherwise, but just incase for anyone else's information, these products may cause early whelpings.

Hi Carrington
O your poor friend, but like you I would think she would be fine if only given once. Unfortunatly I think even some vets just see animals as just animals. I Know with my vets they are spot on in their care (or else i wouldnt go to them ) with all my dogs and are very compasionate. I would tell your friend to find another vet.
I do hope all goes well, please let us know.

How is he going to treat the infection now?

Well, she went out and bought the garlic as she thought that was a harmless remedy. And her vet gave her a bottle of Sancerum ear cleaner and said if the infection did not go she would add some antibiotics, so I guess that is more or less what leomad and HG suggested so she is happy with those, though she was very worried even about that, she has lost all faith in her vet, but I've checked it out for her on the net and it seems to be perfectly ok, though obviously not as powerful as Otomax and Surolan, but I guess it is the best she can do, and better safe than sorry, I'm sure it will work just fine. :-) I'm just so pleased that my girl was not affected the time I also used Surolan, we all live and learn and I certainly know now why it is not recommended for pregnant bitches.

I'm also learning not to always trust your vet knows everything and to read labels of all medicines too.