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7781741 tn?1394137708

Lab/ Malamute mix with ear infection

Daisy is my four year old lab mix. She has the floppy ears of a lab and water gets trapped in her ears very easily. I use cotton balls in her ears when I bathe her to prevent ear infections, but somehow, they still happen. I have taken her to the vet a few times for them but they keep coming back.
Now, I personally don't care for the veterinary office I go to. It's more like a clinic than a doctor's office... I would much rather have a vet that I went to each time rather than not knowing who you'll end up with... But at the moment, it's all I can afford.
This latest infection has housed itself in both ears. I managed to clear out her left ear canal with some vinegar, followed by an essential oil mixture of tea tree, lemon, clary sage and sunflower oil, but the right ear is stubborn and is causing her a lot of pain. I won't be able to afford a vet trip for another week at least, but hate to see her in this much pain. I've given her baby aspirin, which has helped with the pain... But does anyone have any other ideas? I'm sure I could think of something if it wasn't my baby in trouble, but my mind is drawing a blank.
I've cleaned her ears out with cotton balls every day since I discovered the infection and it seems to be getting better, just not quickly. All that is coming out is ear wax, too... So I'm wondering if it wasn't caused by a buildup of wax? I wish she were easier to keep still. I'd try ear candling. That'd be asking for an accident, though.
My next plan is to try some lymphatic drainage... IF I can find a diagram of the lymphatic system in canines... Any Canine Massage Therapists on here?
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7781741 tn?1394137708
She's not dizzy. I can just feel fluid in her ears.
She's on antibiotics now.
I don't let my dogs get sick. I do something about it before that point.
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Avatar universal
Try to treat it rather than let it get worse because then you'll have to deal with dizziness, drunken-walking, etc. and likely hospitalization which is much more expensive.  
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7781741 tn?1394137708
Going to TSC and getting antibiotics there. Don't know why I didn't think of that sooner!
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7781741 tn?1394137708
I don't want to give the wrong impression. Every vet there is good... I would just rather see the same vet every time. They are always in a hurry too... I want a doctor for my babies. A clinic just isn't good enough.
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7781741 tn?1394137708
Our Veterinary office doesn't take appointments. Walk ins only.
She actually seems to be doing much better today. I think another day or two of flushing it out should work. When we move in the summer, I will be able to choose a much better quality vet.
If I had the money, I would already have taken her to get antibiotics. I could call the vet to get some more of the same antibiotics, but they are obviously not working. If she can beat this on her own, it would be best for her immune system... And she's over halfway there. When I massaged her ear this morning, there was no liquid. Yay! Huge leap for Daisy!
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675347 tn?1365460645
COMMUNITY LEADER
Ear candling would be most inadvisable -especially as she won't stay still. I wouldn't even think about it.

OK I guess she has been down the antibiotics road before? And these infections keep coming back? Nevertheless, it sounds to me as though she is in acute pain right now, and the best solution would be a course of antibiotics. Maybe a stronger one this time? These, if effective, could relieve her of the worst of this within a day (sometimes less) I don't know where you live, and what time it is now, but book an appointment for either today or early tomorrow morning. Usually if you call the vet about 8-8.30 am, you will get an appointment within a few hours.

I am a great supporter of alternative treatments. I use them on myself if ever I need medicine. But there are some exceptions. And a bad infection like this needs antibiotics IMO.

I hope she will be a LOT better soon. Poor girl. Give her a hug from me.
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