Expert: Delores Beck - 5/3/2011

Question
My cocker spaniel was attacked by another dog. The dog was pulling and tugging on her ear as if it was trying to rip her ear off. The ear now hangs lower. Will it repair on its own or does she need to see a vet?

Answer
It sounds like some nerve damage has been done.  Please take a careful look at her eye on that same side and make sure it's blinking properly and fully.  And does she have any head tilt?

I'd certainly have a vet look at this, especially her eye.  There's not much to be done about nerve damage and it often repairs itself over time. (months).  But if this is affecting her eye, you'll need to pop in some moisturizing drops multi times a day to prevent eye infection & dry eye.

You can use Genteal "gel drops" (most drugstores carry this) or order some Optixcare Eye Lubricant online (EntirelyPets.com has it).

Your vet can do a simple Schirmer tear test to check.  That just involves a tiny piece of what looks like paper (but isn't)inside her lower lid for less than a minute.  That will measure her tear production.  He can also see if her eyelid is closing properly.

Take care of this now and it's nothing much.  Let it go and you can end up with some nasty eye problems.