Django, my standard of 9.5 years has had ear problems before. About 2 months ago I was grooming him and noticed substantial dark brown wax in the external ear canal, which I removed with a qtip. Thinking it might be ear mites (and having a commercial ear mite solution at hand), I squirted some in, massaged the base and thus started a multi-week exercise in removing what I believe is newly-softened ear wax from the ear. My vet looked at it and found no mites, but some bacteria and some yeast cells and recommended Otomax, which I applied daily for 8 days. I followed up with a "foaming earwash" from the vet and got a few more bits of dried wax. At this point the external canal is clean and dry, but there seems to be fluid in the ear canal. He shakes his head and I can hear it squeak, and sometimes he whimpers when he does. My theory is that the canal was badly impacted with wax and we're still seeing some of it emerge with shaking. I'm checking it 2x daily and finding a slight amount of moist medium brown matter, but it is clear that his ear is still bothering him. It's only the right ear, too! Any thoughts? I live in Silver Spring, MD, and, although I believe my vet is quite good, I'm looking for a 2d opinion.

-- Anonymous, May 14, 2001

Answers

Went to 2d vet today. The problem is a massive yeast infection, so I'm treating it with the medication the vet prescribed. Somewhat severe narrowing of the second portion of the ear canal, possibly 2dary to the yeast infection, but I suspect it may be congenital since it seems always to happen in one ear and not the other. Other than a rather grumpy poodle whose ear must be treated albeit sore, things are looking up--and I think I just might change vets.

-- Anonymous, May 16, 2001

I hope you have cleared up the yeast infection. They can be stubborn. There is no genetic disposition that I know of. I believe that moisture can get trapped in the ear and support the growth of yeast. Antibiotics increase the possibility of yeast growth. I battled this in one ear of my poodle for a couple of years, and it seems that the wax removal products for adults can help with cleaning the ear and a solution of 2 parts vinegar and 1 part alcohol can help kill the yeast. If your poodle swims or gets wet, make sure you dry the ear canal afterward.

-- Anonymous, January 21, 2002