Help for two stubborn dogs

Teresa · January 02, 2008, 06:34:25 PM

For the longest time Molly has given Schatzi a nightly or daily bath, something that drives me insane sometimes, but I still try to tolerate. Schatzi loves it, Molly loves it, so I can deal with Schatzi being wet. Usually it is Schatzi's ears that Molly is always going for. We've noticed recently that Schatzi shakes her ears a little more than usual, but she doesn't seem to be scratching at them and they don't bother her if we are touching them or messing with them. Tonight, Meghan was rubbing her ear and noticed that the inside of one of them felt really rough. When we looked at it we noticed that it was that the skin on the long part was red and really dry and flaky. Almost like it is chapped. It's mainly on one ear and it's the one that Molly goes at the most. I'm wondering if it is because Molly's licking on it keeps it wet so much of the time.
Now for the question. Does anyone have any idea how I can keep Molly from doing this and Schatzi from letting her? I can stop her anytime I see her while I'm home and Randy and Meghan can do the same. It's when we aren't home that is a problem. Also, is there anything to put on the skin on the inside of her ears to protect it? If they don't clear up after a few days of being kept dry, then I'm going to take her in to the vet and have them look at them.

Jeri · January 02, 2008, 06:53:17 PM

It could be from the licking, or she could be licking because the ear is sore! Dogs lick their (and others) wounds to speed healing.

Her ear sounds like mine at times LOL! I get eczema in my ear canal--drives me nuts! If it is near the outside, I can use hydrocortisone
ointment. Deeper, and I need to get drops from my doctor.

Take her to a vet, and keep the kids separated (different rooms or crates) while you are away. She'll keep at that ear as long as there is something to lick.

Teresa · January 02, 2008, 07:03:52 PM

I wondered if Molly could be doing it because it is inflamed. She has always done this with Schatzi, who was 4 months old when we rescued Molly, but I think now she could be wanting to do it more because of it being inflamed. I had wondered about the hydrocortisone cream. It does appear to all be outside, but I will have it checked out.

PattyInAK · January 02, 2008, 09:15:50 PM

Oh no, no, no, no, no!!!!!!! Don't allow any ear licking, it can and probably will lead to an ear infection. Its the wetness that does it. Thats why when bathing the dogs you should avoid getting water in the ears (I stick a cotton ball in each ear just to make sure). When mine had ear infections, I cleaned their ears with witch hazel and a cotton ball, and it worked better than any of those products that are on the market for ear infections. I would actually dump about half a capful of witch hazel into the ear, then rub the base of the ear to really work it in good. Then dab out the rest with the cotton ball. The witch hazel disinfected and helped dry up the infection.

Teresa · January 02, 2008, 09:19:46 PM

Because it was mostly the outside and it dried so fast, I didn't worry too much. I think a lot of the problem recently has shown up because it is cooler and Schatzi will dive under the covers, wet ears and all. We are always careful to keep them dry during her baths. I'll see if I can get a picture of the area tomorrow sometime.

Dee Dee and Hallie · January 02, 2008, 10:17:33 PM

How about something like this?
http://www.petco.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=1051660&cm_ven=msnshop&cm_cat=54&cm_pla=1051660&cm_ite=1051660

Molly says but my sister taste so good! :thumb:

PattyInAK · January 03, 2008, 02:21:56 PM

Quote from: Dee Dee and Hallie on January 02, 2008, 10:17:33 PM
How about something like this?
http://www.petco.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=1051660&cm_ven=msnshop&cm_cat=54&cm_pla=1051660&cm_ite=1051660

Molly says but my sister taste so good! :thumb:

Did you read the reviews? Seems it makes stuff taste better to some dogs.

Teresa · January 03, 2008, 03:35:25 PM

I was wondering if I could use Bitter Apple or something. It is weird that the stuff at Petco had so many animals liking it. Of course, at 5.99, it might be worth a try, and Petco is just down the street. If I try it, I'll let you know what Molly thinks about it.

Leslie · January 03, 2008, 05:36:22 PM

Quote from: PattyInAK on January 02, 2008, 09:15:50 PM
it. Thats why when bathing the dogs you should avoid getting water in the ears (I stick a cotton ball in each ear just to make sure).

Your ears or theirs?

Dee Dee and Hallie · January 03, 2008, 09:30:29 PM

Gads, no I hadn't noticed that Patty I'm glad you caught it. I've never heard of this stuff, I just googled some key words and it came up, I didn't really look any deeper into it (bad me!!) The last thing you need is to be putting perceived A1 steak sauce on Schatzie's ear!

I wonder if there is something else out there though...like you said bitter apple or ??

PattyInAK · January 03, 2008, 09:57:05 PM

Quote from: Leslie on January 03, 2008, 05:36:22 PM
Your ears or theirs?

Leslie, I can always count on you..............

Teresa · January 04, 2008, 05:49:43 AM

I may have discovered Schatzi ear problem to be from a source other than Molly. I was looking at them this evening, to take a picture, and they were almost completely cleared up. I got to thinking and realized that on Tuesday, I saw her rolling on a towel Randy had thrown on the floor (she loves doing this when we get out of the shower). The only thing with this towel was Randy wasn't getting out of the shower, he was cleaning the bathroom. I asked him if anything was on the towel and he said "I don't know.", meaning he didn't want to look around the corner and see which one I was looking at. I should have known Schatzi was enjoying it too much. My guess is that it had whatever he was cleaning with on it and it got on the inside skin of her ear, and irritated it. I'm going to watch and see if it changes and in the meantime come up with a way to stop Molly from cleaning them all the time.

Leslie · January 04, 2008, 08:24:45 PM

Quote from: Teresa on January 04, 2008, 05:49:43 AM
I may have discovered Schatzi ear problem to be from a source other than Molly. I was looking at them this evening, to take a picture, and they were almost completely cleared up. I got to thinking and realized that on Tuesday, I saw her rolling on a towel Randy had thrown on the floor (she loves doing this when we get out of the shower). The only thing with this towel was Randy wasn't getting out of the shower, he was cleaning the bathroom. I asked him if anything was on the towel and he said "I don't know.", meaning he didn't want to look around the corner and see which one I was looking at. I should have known Schatzi was enjoying it too much. My guess is that it had whatever he was cleaning with on it and it got on the inside skin of her ear, and irritated it. I'm going to watch and see if it changes and in the meantime come up with a way to stop Molly from cleaning them all the time.

hmmm, contact dermitities. could be if she has no classic allergy symptoms. Think yer on to something

Teresa · January 05, 2008, 08:40:53 AM

I looked at it again this morning. Still normal so I guess it was whatever was on the towel. Gotta talk to Randy about throwing those towels on the floor. Schazi absolutely LOVES to roll on damp towels. It's part of her morning ritual when I get out of the shower (at least when it isn't too cold for Her Highness to get out from under the covers!). I am going to go to Pet Smart later and do some research and treatbox shopping.

Kari · January 05, 2008, 10:18:42 AM

Quote from: Teresa on January 05, 2008, 08:40:53 AM
I am going to go to Pet Smart later and do some research and treatbox shopping.

Penny here....Did somebody say Tweat Box?????

Barb · January 06, 2008, 08:12:33 AM

Glad her ear is cleared up..... most likely towel stuff....... Brandy will lick Rudy's ears until I make her stop - but she also grooms him on his face and neck. Much like she did to her babies, I am sure! When he gets enough, if I don't stop it first, he will shake his head and move it away from her. When he is really tired, it lulls him to sleep !!!!