Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 3:26 pm Post subject: New Lab owner & member
Good morning,
We have a 10week choc, english lab named gunner, he is our first lab, we previously had boxers, I still have a 10yr old fixed female boxer, but lost my 7yr old almost 3months ago to lymphoma. Heartbreaking!
We just had a bit of a scare, have just had our new puppy for only two weeks, I had noticed him scratching just a little when we brought him home from the breeder, but thought it was just the adjustment to his new collar.
Had a vet check shots etc. this past weekend he developed an ear infection that took us to emergency, they did the ear flush etc, than on Monday the infection got worst he ended up at our vet over night with being on fluids because the infection went into strep. This morning he is eating and doing better, we will pick him up today.
Can anyone direct me to information to avoid this again, both my husband and I are in our 40's and have had dogs our whole life, we take very good care of our animals. I know that we will need to clean his ears at least once a week, but we are dumpfounded how such a thing can happen? we only have had him for two weeks??
We almost lost him.
Thanks for any information provided - Mary
Sounds like your little Gunner has been in the wars with that ear infection. Not really sure how to ensure it doesn't happen again, did the vets give you any advice? Just one thing to consider - my Leo suffers from re-occuring ear infections but this is related to an allergy, so if the infection does come back then there may be an underlying cause.
Obviously an infection got in, but of course, you may, or may not ever get problems again. And there is no rhyme or reason either way! I had problems with my first Lab and needed to give them a little clean out every week of so, but with all others I've only cleaned them when needed, and not often at that!
As a tip, I rely more on smell than appearance, because you can often smell the problem earlier than see. As part of my weekly inspection I lift the ear to have a look, then put my nose to the ear and have a sniff. A problem ear often has an unmistakable smell, once smelled never forgotten!
In fact Labrador ears are not a major "At risk" ear in the way that spaniel ears often are. Because of the smaller ear flap they tend to "Run cooler"
Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 3:51 pm Post subject: gunner
Thank you everyone, you are right about usually an odor coming from the dogs ears however none of that was detected.(when my husband and I were first married we had cockers) We were thinking that he had a bit of it when we picked him up from breeder, possibility it was way down in the ear that even the vet did not see it, so it just got worse, we of course were most upset because of our resent loss. At least he is on the mend!
I will get pictures when I learn how to download, tried but it stated that it was larger that 50, I will soon figure that send some pictures.
My boy Fudge has an ear wash about every 2 weeks or so. He has suffered with it since being as pup, it just re-occurs. I have to make sure that I give his ears a really good drying after swimming too as it flares up overnight if they are left (just a little tip for the future)
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