Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 10/12/2008

Question
I am so frustrated! My 2 yr. old Cairn terrier popped up with yeast/bacterial ear infections. More so yeast. My vet cleaned out the ears and prescribed 4 meds (vinegar like liquid, miconazole liquid, antibiotic pill, prednisone) and said come back in 2 weeks. When I went back she said the yeast was better but now the bacteria is worse and it's a more resistant rod bacteria. She prescribes baytril 22.7mg 2tabs daily and mometamax twice daily in each ear. It has been about another week and my dogs ears look red and chapped and I think they're starting to smell again!! I don't think she feels great. We did change her food right before this all started and she also was spending a lot of time in the water too. I've already spent $250 so far and we aren't getting anywhere. What do you think could be going on and what do you think I need to do? I really appreciate it.

Answer
In my experience, Mometamax does not really do much except to relieve the inflammation.  If there are rods that are resistant to Gentamycin, then Mometamax won't help.

Has your vet treated any underlying skin problem like allergies?  I would recommend putting the dog on high dose oral prednisone for a couple of weeks and to change the antibiotic to Tobramycin eye drops.  Oral Baytril tablets are not going to have any effect on anything but your wallet.  It is a poor drug to use orally to get into the ear to treat rod bacteria.