Hi all, one of the beasts has been holding his head slightly to the left and shaking his head a lot. Upon exam found inflamed ear with a lot of thin, wet, dark red-blood, waxy, foul (possibly sour) smelling discharge. Left ear mainly (although right effected as well to a smaller degree). Not really painful or itchy but uncomfortable. I've got too much on the go right now, can anyone suggest something to help dry the ear up a bit? (herbal, whatever...) The moisture is causing redness in the ear canal and I'm sure there is quite a bit of fluid down there by the way he is holding his head. Ears are long and down and occassionally he will have waxy build up which usually resolves after regular cleanings.

Hi Krista,

Taking a break from the fast paced non human animal discussion. Whew!

I hope someone here has some really good advice for you because that fluid in the ear problem is one many of the cats here have and I hope to benefit from your question! I am surprised that there seems to be no pain...all of mine with this problem seem very uncomfortable. You can hear the squishing of fluids. Lots of scratching. You say resolves with regular cleaning....but you know, it really doesn't for me. I spend untold hours cleaning cat's ears (buying stock in Q-tip) and feel all I'm doing is marking time.

I think ear problems (which are really skin problems, I guess) are very high on the list of cat complaints. Cats have the worst inner ear structure. Doesn't allow easy access or easy discharge. One vet said this was fungal. So my guess is constitutional approach and not to use any topicals or inner ear meds/herbs.

I'll be waiting along with you for some good ideas.

__________________
Sometimes on Earth, you can find something that resembles a little piece of Heaven. And sometimes on Earth, a little piece of Heaven can find you.

Hi gpm, sorry for the confusion but the beast is canine in nature and somewhat prone to occassional build up of ear crud having "Lab ears". With cats, I haven't had too many problems other than those with chronic bad teeth or sinus infections, it all spreads to the ears eventually. This particular canine is one beer short of a 6-pack, so I don't usually get a lot of reactions or complaints from him.

Cripes......can't get anything right today. No wonder you said the ears are long and hang down.....wondered about that! I'm going out looking for the missing part of my brain again. Couldn't find it earlier.

__________________
Sometimes on Earth, you can find something that resembles a little piece of Heaven. And sometimes on Earth, a little piece of Heaven can find you.

kkrista,
I have used this ear wash in BabyKittys' ears and it really did seem to help.
I was concerned that it may sting due to his ears being so irritated so tried it on a blistered area of my hand first and it was not uncomfortable at all, I suppose the boric acid buffers the alcohol.
It is the only wash I have used that he didn't throw a "hissy" little fit with.
Hope it helps..

16 oz isopropyl alcohol
16 drops gentian violet 1% solution
4 tbsp boric acid powder

Put it all in a hair dye bottle, shake well and apply to affected ears 2x daily for first week, then drop down to 1x daily for next week then as needed. You syringe GENTLY into the ear while rubbing the base til you hear it squish... and then let them do what may (no need to scoop anything out of the ear). It will dissolve all the wax and crud.

gpm,
You are so delightfully entertaining.......thanks for being so you!

Warm Smiles,
onebabykitty

__________________
just a Cat trapped in a human body-purrs loudly and often but sharpens claws daily....

EAR; DISCHARGES; bloody (K286, G242)
EAR; INFLAMMATION; inside (K290, G245)
EAR; DISCOLORATION; redness (K287, G243)
HEAD PAIN; GENERAL; shaking head; amel. (K147, G122)
EAR; SUPPURATION; middle ear (K318, G266) (Inflammation; media, middle ear) (Perforation of tympanum)
EAR; DISCHARGES; watery (K287, G242) (moisture) (serous)

Hi kkrista,
Just my 2 bit.
Looked at the rubrics above and the remedies that came up were:
Merc, Puls, Calc, Graph, Calc Sulph, China and Phos

Most did not cover the shking of the head thoughexcept China and Phos.

Maybe something more could help differentiate.
doctorleela

__________________
http://www.homeopathy2health.com

Thanks for the recipe OBK, I'm definitly going to try that out!
Dear Dr. Leela, I guess I'm going to have to get "off my duff" and do his case up properly. This is the same dog that I posted on a few months ago that also has the problem of periodic attacks where his throat gets red and he starts to cough/gag. Off the top of my head, whenever I've done any work on his case, phos does come up and appears to describe him fairly well.
I have been discussing "nosodes" on another thread which reminds me that this dog has been through a Parvo virus infection (was very serious, had plasma transfusions etc.). Unfortunately the infection came on after I had him for only a few weeks, so I can't say for sure whether its really a situation of "never well since..."
Anyways, I will try to organize his case tonight and post what I come up with tomorrow. THX

I need some help here...

I still haven't been able to resolve the problem. I did give him one dose of Hep LM1 with no change. I will list the symptoms; my research has me considering merc, sulph, phos (they seem rather obvious choices though).

* ears are now itchy, red and sore, becoming irritated and swollen when cleaned
* ear discharge is dark reddish brown, around the outer ear it dries and flakes into chunks, inside the ear it is thin and fluid with a small amount of pus (it obviously doesn't smell good)-most likely yeast infection
* head shaking still going on as well as scratching which is aggrevated after cleaning (you can sometimes hear the fluid when he does this)
* coat is smelly and greasy with some dandruff and may be itchy especially the front paws and arms which he will often chew and groom
* his weight and body mass is optimum he is tall and about 37kg or 80lbs. He is fit,active and agile -he can turn on a dime
* 7 years old, neutered, no vaccines or meds for 6 years
* excellent sense of smell and hearing (often appears to bark at nothing)
* mind is dull in that he is definitly not a smart dog, he is easily distracted and tends to react quickly to stimulas, has a hard time figuring stuff out
* scares very easily, is frightened of loud noises, strangers and strange animals. When a strange dog goes past the property he will often turn and take out his fear on one of the poor girl dogs
* he can be stubborn and willful but generally a likable dog
* high chase instinct (response to stimulas)(primarily sporting blood)
* tries to establish dominance; I often have to put him in his place (always testing the limits), I am unable to relax the rules with him ever
* sleeps in a curled position, doesn't usually startle awake, but doesn't like other animals curling up to him, I don't believe its a "heat" issue, rather personal space -but the cats sure love the heat he gives off; he graons a lot during rest, but doesn't usually have "doggie dreams"
* very HOT dog, the heat he emits is sometimes overwhelming but does not appear to make him uncomfortable; doesn't like to stay out too long when its really cold outside (doesn't like to lose his heat?)
* orafaces are usually reddish
* urine and BMs are normal, although his bowel movements are more moist (but still formed well) than they should be given his diet. The BM's are also extremely wide in diameter. He is particularily flatulant of late
* he occassionally will vomit bright, yellow, foamy bile which will temporarily stain the tile floor. He generally does this when he is hungry or before meals
* His eyes, mouth, teeth and nose are perfect
* he can not tolerate the motion of a vehicle; he will drool obsesively (bucketfulls) and sometimes vomit if short duration after meal

Any input? I have looked at Calc-c and Puls as well. Thanks

Hi Krista,
Have you checked into Caust and Psor? Caust is close to Phos in a lot of ways and Pitcairn calls it a major remedy for ear problems in dogs. (Not for cats.)

__________________
Sometimes on Earth, you can find something that resembles a little piece of Heaven. And sometimes on Earth, a little piece of Heaven can find you.

Interestingly GPM, caus did come up but not super strong. However upon reflection I'm going to say to "SCRAP" everything I wrote. Most of those symptoms I have noted are part of who the dog has always been, I should be looking for what has changed right??!!

Changes are:
-ear infection
-discharges from the ear
-itchy skin
-itchy, burning, swollen ears

ammel
-head shaking
-scratching
-licking

agg
-touch where swollen & burning

I'm going to give caust a second look in this new light; any other suggestions are welcome!