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Paw's Corner Get answers to your pet questions. Got an iguana with attitude? Sam can help!
Article Archive:
1/4/09 - Ongoing Ear Infection Frustrates Dog Owner
12/28/08 - Dogs and Joggers
12/21/08 - Will Feral Cat Ever Calm Down?
12/14/08 - Was Mom Guilty of Cruelty?
11/30/08 - Pineapple Cures Potty-Mouth Dog
11/23/08 - Do Dogs Smile?
11/16/08 - How to Correct a Pet Owner
11/9/08 - Chew on This
11/2/08 - Old Tricks for New Dog
10/26/08 - Shih-tzu Is Biting Herself Crazy
10/19/08 - Economy Puts Strain on Pet Owners
10/12/08 - Dog-Proof Your Home
10/5/08 - Pukey Cat
9/28/08 - First Aid for Pets
9/21/08 - Doggone Good Advice
9/14/08 - When Wildlife Gets Too Close
9/7/08 - Hurricane Kit for Pets
8/31/08 - More Than One Way to Leash a Cat
8/24/08 - Head of the Class
8/17/08 - Small Dog, Small Bladder
8/10/08 - Did Guinea Pig Suffer Heart Attack or Stroke?
8/4/08 - Dog Makes Odd Breathing Noise
7/27/08 - Dog Won't Stop Jumping Up
7/20/08 - Red Pepper Spray Can Deter Cats
7/13/08 - Dogs Need Love, Not Treats
7/6/08 - Balding Pigs Have Owners Stumped
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Ongoing Ear Infection Frustrates Dog Owner

DEAR PAW'S CORNER:
My little dog "Sandy," a 3-year-old Shih Tzu, has had an ongoing ear infection for the past four months. The vet said it was a yeast infection and gave me some drops for it. It cleared quickly, but within two weeks it was back again. This time the vet suggested I change his dog food, along with giving him the drops again, so now he is on a grain-free dog food. It cleared up for a while, but it is back again. Any suggestions on what to do now? -- Donna, via e-mail

DEAR DONNA:
Keep trying! Continue working with your vet to find a solution to Sandy's recurring ear infections. It may take a combination of treatments to stop them from happening, including a change in diet (such as the prescribed grain-free diet), drops or oral medication.

Signs of an ear infection in a dog typically include head shaking, yellow or brown "gunk" in the ears, a yeast-like smell, redness and swelling. Causes include debris or water in the ears, allergies, or unexplained factors.

Shih Tzus are prone to ear infections because of the shape of their ears, and because of the long hair growing over the ears -- fluids don't drain from their ears as easily. Owners must clear the hair from their dogs' ears frequently and must be sure to dry their dogs' ears after swimming or bathing.

Dogs like Sandy who have repeat infections may benefit from having the hair clipped away from around their ears (let the veterinarian do this). Sandy may be given a long-term course of treatment, too -- usually oral medication. In severe cases, vets may recommend surgery to reconstruct the ear canal to improve drainage, but this should be considered only when other avenues have been exhausted.
Send your tips, questions and comments to Paws Corner, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or e-mail them to pawscorner@hotmail.com. (c) 2008 King Features Synd., Inc.
 
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