physiological side effects of ear infections?
My boys, like a lot of labs from what I've read, like to harbor chronic ear infections. Chief's (yellow) will clear up faster, but he gets them more often; Duke (chocolate) will get much longer lasting ones that seem to be deeper in the ear. We are diligent in cleaning them and our vet gave us an ointment to use once or twice a week (can't recall the name). This isn't the first go round with the infections and the vet; same instructions every time.
Anyway, if it's related all, Chief doesn't seem to be too bothered by the infection; his mood never really changes. Duke, on the other hand, has completely changed. In previous posts I mentioned that we have a baby (now seven months) and Duke went through some attitude changes with not wanting to go outside and fetch. Well, now we can get him to chase a ball or two at full speed and that's about it. He won't compete with Chief for the retrieve and often doesn't make it half way to the dummy.
Lots of head shaking and slow movement makes me think this chronic infection is affecting his overall behavior. Any insight on this?