Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 10/18/2005

Question
I have a shepard hound mix, his one ear is lopped, but has the shepard hair inside.  I try to keep them shaved back so the dirt does not build up.  In his right ear he has a nasty gunk build up, in smells bad, but it does seem to be itchy like most dogs I see with mites.  I tried the miticide med. once with no help.  I clean them often, but as soon as I think I'm ahead it flares back bad the only thing that sometimes contains it is an anti-fungial med. for human feet.  I can't get him to a vet cuz he fears people, I'd have to sedate him, any good advise or should i keep going with what I found works???


Answer
Ask the vet for some tranquilizers to give him before the visit.  The ear needs to be scoped and cleaned so that the vet can determine the type of ear disease.  Also, most ear diseases are the result of an allergy, so the dog may need some allergy treatment.