Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 9/25/2007

Question
Hello Dr. Gotthelf, my dachshund puppy is 4 months old and ever since we purchased him he has had some sort of ear infection in both ears. We immediately took him to the vet 2 days after purchasing him and the vet told us to apply tresaderm drops once a day for 7 days in both ears.The drops did nothing to alleviate the problem so we took him back for another check up and the vet increased the dosage to 2 times a day for 2 weeks. Ever since we started applying the medication, which also didn't work by the way, i have been noticing that he has been extremely thirsty and hungry all the time and he is urinating much more frequently (sometimes he can't even hold it). What is happening to him.
I appreciate any advice you can give me,
Thank you!

Answer
Tresdarem contains a very potent corticosteroid called dexamethasone.  This can be absorbed from the ear and causes the increased thirst and urination.  If ytour vet has not made a disgnosis on your puppy's ear, please get another opinion.  Many pups either have ear mites or yeast infections.