Is his ear flap thick and bubbly?
Most of the time Sam's ears are level and one doesn't appear to be lower than the other. But I noticed today that his left ear started to droop visibly lower than his right. He also started to shake his head a lot as if it's bothering him. I noticed it this morning but wondered if I was seeing things. When I got home from work, DH mentioned that he thought Sam's ear looked droopy. We tried to look in his ear, but he wouldn't let us get a good look. He kept shaking his head and rolling on the floor. I called the vet and spoke to her and we have an appointment in the morning. In the meantime, the vet alarmed me with the questions she asked. She wanted to know if his whole face was droopy or just his ear. She said if his face starts to look droopy to take him to the ER vet tonight. Yikes! Now I'm freaked out! Sam did go for a swim in Bull Run this weekend for about an hour. Bull Run is a fresh water creek with a mild current. We didn't notice anything weird in the water. It seemed fairly clean and fresh. Any ideas what could be going on?
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Sam and Frank
Is his ear flap thick and bubbly?
The Dynamic Gang
Ear infection? Maybe yeast (it has been so warm and if he has been swimming). Yeast is usually visable inside the ear, it looks like brown gunk and has an odor.
His ears look maybe a little pink. I don't notice an odor and there is no visible gunk.
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Sam and Frank
It's a plus for everyone to get their dogs used to you handling their ears. I also think it's a good habit to smell ears every day. You can do it easily when you are snuggling with them. The goal is to flip open the ear and look down the ear canal at any given time. That way, if you even see a little dirt or a little red, you can head it off with some witch hazel or vinegar before it turns into anything.
Hopefully it's nothing.
Jen
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I wouldn't worry too much. Sometimes holding an ear at a lower angle is just a sign of an itchy ear. Hopefully the vet will give you an easy answer. Hope it is nothing!
I haven't got my siggy pic back up yet but hindsight after I took it showed me that the ear Oban had the greater yeast problem in was being held lower. Not so much droopy but more like he was kind of clamping it down. That ear was more itchy, as mentionned above. Hope that's all it is for Sam.
Sounds like an ear infection to me. If his ears were not thoroughly dried after his swim this weekend yeast could definitely be the culprit.
I agree with JenC that getting your dog used to handling their ears, paws, etc is very important but sometimes if they do have an infection it can be painful and a dog that would normally allow you to do this may not be so inclined when they are not feeling well.
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Tammy
Maxx and Emma Jean
Ozzy - 10/2002 - 06/2011 - Rest well my sweet boy. You are forever remembered, forever missed, forever in my heart.
I'd assume ear infection - lets hope it's not a serious one & he'll be back to normal after few days
I have to clean my labs ears at least once a week to avoid ear infection - although he is used to me holding and touching his ears he hates this with a passion - even though I give treats! I personally like playing with my labs ears because they are so warm! When im cold I just play with them and they warm me up :P (a bit weird I know!)
Hope the vet has some good news and it is cleared easily - whatever it is!
She may have been asking about a droopy face to rule out a stroke or paralysis from a sting etc.
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