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Forum DIET & CARE Need ear vibes…again

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    • LittlePuffyTail
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        I’ve completely lost count of the ear infections Bindi has had in the last year alone. It’s so frustrating that I just can’t stop their recurrance. The last 7 days I’ve been treating his left ear with antibiotics and at our re-check last night it was confirmed that there is still bacteria in there (less than before though) and also a bit in the right ear. So 7 more days for both ears plus she put him on oral Baytril. Another re-check in 7 days. I feel bad for Bindi…so many car rides. And often it’s a long wait at the vet to get the results.

        My vet is quite baffled about this. I clean his ears once a week or every two weeks depending on how gunky they are and she said we are gonna try no cleaning at all. This will be difficult because his ears get so filled up with gook after just a week of no cleaning. She thinks the irritation from the cleaning may be worsening things and/or possibly introducing bacteria. His ear infections are becoming more frequent. I hate not cleaning them because it will mean he will have no hearing because his ears are all plugged up and I can’t imagine that’s comftorable. But if it stops the infections that’s what I will have to do. I can use a gauze pad to wipe out the surface stuff but no more ear cleaner.

         


      • TriBun
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           That sounds horrible.  Vibes from me and Rosy.


        • Kokaneeandkahlua
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            Yikes {{{Ear Vibes}}}
            Poor Bindi Loo


          • Arthur'sMom
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              Sounds like the vet may have a good idea there. It’ll stink that the gunk will build up and he’ll “loose” his hearing, but it very well be the cleaning that is irritating everything. Hope everything works out. Hugs to you and Bindi.


            • BinkyBunny
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                I’m so sorry. Could this be coming from sort of sinus issue? (I am REALLY sorry if this has already been addressed — I’ve been really off and on lately!)

                I know that I had to clean out my Bailey’s ears because she couldnt’ do it herself due to hind leg weakness, but I do remember the vet saying not to overdo it. Just get some excess and leave the rest. I would clean out about once a week or when it would build up. Of course, Bailey wasn’t dealing with the serious ear issues, so it was easy advice to take, but it does make me wonder if over cleaning could cause problems since my vet recommended not to overclean


              • MimzMum
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                  This is particularly true of dogs, their ears are apparently easily affected by too much cleaning, as well as not enough. It’s a rough balance to strike. With Jenna I went through two nasty ear infections her first year with us before I found I was doing too much cleaning, so the vet had to give me something to make sure her ears were dry after bathing (or if her hoodie comes off in the rain) and also an antifungal to treat with after the cleaner/drying solution to be sure we don’t have too much bacteria/fungus trying to take over the sterile environment.
                  The reason I mention Jenna is I’m guessing this is the line your vet is thinking along. Just like using antibiotics can be bad for the gut by wiping out all the ‘good’ bacteria, you have to put that back with the probiotics. And sometimes you just have to let everything rest.
                  Given that Bindi is a lop also, he’s simply going to have worse ear trouble since those flaps hold in moisture as well. If only he could wear them up in a scrunchie! ^_^
                  That being said, I notice Fiver is prone to have itchy scratchy ears almost as much as Mimzy. I don’t know if it’s his own fur getting caught in them or he just has a basic body chemistry that promotes the growth of yeasts and such, but I’ve got to keep that TrizUltra stuff on hand for him. It’s very hard not to go digging around in there wanting a pristine surface.
                  Have you ruled out that something he may be eating could be causing the problem? Maybe he’s developed an allergy to some food he’s eating and it’s manifesting with ear trouble?
                  If you don’t mind my asking, how clean/trimmed are his back nails? I panic every time Fiver gets messy feet because I just think of him transferring all that to his ears when he scratches them. 0_o

                  Many healthy ear vibes for Bindi Loo! (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((happy ears))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))


                • KatnipCrzy
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                    I don’t remember- but have they done a culture? And has your vet been able to consult a vet dermatologist or refer you to one in your general area? It might be more cost effective to consult with a board certified specialist with an appt than to continue to “chase your tail”- as I am sure it feels like you are doing. I am really not familiar with bunny ear problems at all- but these are the first things that pop to mind. What about an allexperts.com post to Dana Kempels. I found her Cow Poop Syndrome info to be extremely helpful when other rabbit vets did not have a CLUE about give a stool softener/Lactulose to bunnies. Maybe you have already done these things. Poor Bindi. I have a soft spot for the Lops.
                    This is pretty off the wall- but some pets can be allergic to grain, corn, soy, etc and that can actually cause ear infections. Food allergies commonly cause ear infections in dog breeds that are prone to allergies. So maybe, just maybe pellets could be a problem? Some have soy or wheat I would think- depends on what you feed.


                  • LittlePuffyTail
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                      Thanks for the vibes and advice.

                      BB- I can’t imagine it’s a sinus issue. He’s never had any sinus/respiratory problems.

                      Mimz- We had a shih-tzu that had chronic ear infections too. Bindi’s ear canal is just so tiny that no air can get in there. For such big ears, it’s frustrating how small his canal is. It’s weird with Bindi, though, his ear infections have never bothered him much. No scratching or shaking. Probably because I don’t let them get to that point. His nails are usually short and always clean. He keeps his condo a huge mess but always keeps himself super clean.

                      Katnip- We’ve done several cultures but they didn’t do much good because it’s not always the same type of bacteria. I also wrote to Dana Krempels a couple of years ago. Not sure what the response was but it wasn’t overly helpful. I assume I would have to drive really far…to another province to see a specialist. Not sure if Bindi could handle that.

                      Hopefully the no-cleaning will do good. My vet and I worry about his ears becoming resistant to the antibiotics since he’s on them so often.


                    • RabbitPam
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                        {{{{{{{{{quick healing ear vibes}}}}}}}}}}}

                        I was wondering about resistance as well, but we’ll assume he’s not at that point yet.

                        It makes sense not to clean. I am reminded of old cars where the tough dirt buildup actually acts as a protection against rust and small damage. It may be that the lack of cleaning will seal the entry enough for the meds to do its work and no contact or airborne bacteria will be able to penetrate after a week.
                        {{{{{{{More vbes, just in case}}}}}}}


                      • KatnipCrzy
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                          I am not familiar with his diet concerns- I think I remember you were worried about him being underweight at some point?? I would talk to your vet about trying a different pellet- have the vet help you compare ingredients to see what COULD be a better option. If corn, soy or wheat (or something else) where causing this as a symptom of food allergy- it could not hurt to try a different pellet. And if that helped Bindi at all I would imagine it would have to be worth the bother. But please discuss this with your vet as your vet is obviously very familiar with Bindi’s medical condition, weight, etc.


                        • Zombie-Sue
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                            I’m so sorry hon x( good luck to your poor bun! EAR VIBES!


                          • LittlePuffyTail
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                              Bindi’s 3rd recheck last night…still bacteria in the left ear. I was upset but not surprised to hear that. There is still a bit of smell left in that ear. 10 more days of ear meds and oral Baytril. It wasn’t my rabbit vet last night (she’s on vacation) but she knows enough to determine the presence of bacteria. It’s usually the vet techs that do the slides anyway and they know Bindi very well!

                              I feel so bad for him! That’s a lot of vet trips: 3 times in 3 weeks. At least he gets to go 10 days this time instead of 7. I think this is his most stubborn infection yet.

                              Need some more of those Ear Vibes!!!!

                              * I did get some good news last night though. I got the results for Andy (my cat’s) thyroid test and we’ve finally got it regulated to a good level. He has to be on meds for the rest of his life but at least he gets to go a whole year before his next blood test.


                            • RabbitPam
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                                That’s good to hear about Andy.

                                {{{{{{{{{{healing ear vibes for bindi}}}}}}}}}}}}

                                What? Eh?

                                I SAID:
                                {{{{{{{{{{{{Healing Ear Vibes for Bindi}}}}}}}}}}}}}


                              • LittlePuffyTail
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                                  Re-check again this evening. Hopefully this will be our last vet trip for a good while.


                                • jerseygirl
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                                    Fingers and bunny paws crossed here for you and Bindi!


                                  • MimzMum
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                                      Keeping you and Bindi in our prayers! Boy, do we have a set of twins with our lops or what??
                                      Good news re: Andy!
                                      (((((((((((((((((((((((((vibes for all!))))))))))))))))))))))))


                                    • LittlePuffyTail
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                                        He’s still got a very small amount of bacteria in the left ear but she said 7 more days of ear meds should do the trick and we won’t bother with a re-check since it’s such a small amount. He’s very glad to be off the yucky oral Baytril.

                                        So now, I’m not cleaning his ears at all and hopefully there won’t be another infection for a good long while.

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                                    Forum DIET & CARE Need ear vibes…again