Ear we go again

[LittlePuffyTail]

Brought Bindi to the vet on Thursday. I was scared he had an abcsess in his left ear because I saw a reddish lump in there and there was a yucky smell. I was up all night scaring myself reading up on ear abscesses. Thankfully, it’s not an abscess but he has an abundance of yeast in that ear. This is a new one, although he did at one point have a bacterial infection as well as a bit  of yeast in his ears. I haven’t been able to find much info about this type of infection. My vet suggested we do a culture of that ear since he is just having problems non-stop with his ears. Unfortunetly,  the sample has to go to another province so it’s quite costly but I got it done. It may save $ in the long run. The last time I had a culture done was with my other vet and it didn’t show anything! I have to wait about a week for the results.

He’s on Surolan 2x day until I hear back from the vet. The poor guy though, his ear seems to be bothering him, he’s scartching and shaking. All his previous ear infections never really visibly bothered him. Crossing my fingers it clears up quickly with the meds.

 

[Sarita]

Vibes for Bindi.

[MimzMum]

Oh poor Bindi Loo! (((((((((((((((((((((((((ear healing vibes)))))))))))))))))))
Loppies have so much ear trouble as per their breed, the bacteria must multiply in there like…well…rabbits. I hope he feels better real soon!

Love the thread title btw…shows you are trying to keep a light approach to it all, despite the worry I know you must be feeling! *hugs* I’m battling a yeast infection in Jenna’s left ear right now (the new Yorkie) because apparently I didn’t get her ear dry enough after her last bathing. *gloom* We’ve got some kind of gentimicin drops for that though, and a wash.

Hang in there LPT!

[RabbitPam]

Does he seem better today?

[jerseygirl]

Oh gentamicin! Now I read of this med often – MM let us know if it’s successful for Jenna. This is one med I thought might be beneficial for Mimzy. LPT, is the surolan a topical treatment or oral? I wonder if antibiotics can cause yeast infections too like they can in humans. Like the good bacteria is killed off with the bad and yeast can get out of control then. I’m confused.

I wonder how Bindi would take to having his ears “positioned” with a loose band of some sort? Just to increase airflow and reduce moisture a bit. I wonder if that would even improve things? I can’t imagine how you could do it without him taking off whatever apparatus though…

[MimzMum]

To answer your question Jerz, yes the gentimicin seems to be helping a bit…but really what I need to do is keep those ears cleaner with a drying solution so she doesn’t get all moist in there and stuff starts to breed. 0_o I’ll ask my vet if we even tried that for Mimz or not…been through so many I can’t remember. >.<
I think I’m allergic to it though…got some on my arm today and hives broke out. Bleah.

Oh dear, I can just see Bindi with his ears hung up in a scrunchie…that would be a Kodak moment.

LPT? Any word? I worry when we don’t hear from you. ((((((((((vibes))))))))))))))))

[LittlePuffyTail]

Hey, guys. Sorry for no update. I’m currently living without a computer and I’m on MAJOR Binky Bunny withdrawal. I have to go to Mom’s to use the net until ours is fixed.

I got a call from the vet yesterday. The results are in. As well as the yeast there are 2 types of mild bacterial growth. The Surolan drops he is on will kill the yeast and 1 type of bacteria, I discontinue it tomorrow and then start another type of ear drop to kill the second bacteria for 7 days. Then we go back to the vet for an ear swabbing.

His ears are very frustrating! I don’t understand where all this bacteria/yeast comes from!! I can see why it can fester in there though, so warm and waxy with no air. I clean his ears x2 week as per vet orders with a wash. I worry that that makes too much wetness but when I didn’t clean them there was so much wax. Grrrr…what’s a lop eared bunny mommy to do?

He hasn’t seemed too bothered by his ear these last few days. No shaking or scratching. And I’ve considered putting his ears up in a scrunchie (and tried it and received severe stink eye!) but I really don’t think it would help much. His ear canals are just  so tiny that it wouldn’t be much help. I read on the net that some rabbits with chronic ear infections get holes cut in the base of their ears to help circulation and ease of medicating. The pictures were horrible! Let us all hope it doesn’t ever come to that.

[Deleted User]

I hope it will clear up quickly. Which drops did your vet prescribe for the other type of bacteria?

[MimzMum]

And what kind of wash? Is it the Epi-Otic Advanced? (Jenna is currently having to have her ears washed with this and it’s part drying solution so that it doesn’t leave any wetness. you still have to swab well though.)

(((((((((((((((((((((feel better ear vibes for Bindi-Loo)))))))))))))))))))

[LittlePuffyTail]

The new stuff is called Ottomax. It’s for dogs but my vet wouldn’t have prescribed it if it wasn’t bunny safe. The wash I use is Aveena Sativa. His ear doesn’t seem to be bugging him but it looks so sore and red inside. My poor guy. We are going in for an apt at the end of the week. Keeping my fingers crossed.

[MimzMum]

Otomax is the same thing as Mometamax, which Jenna is on. I am noticing some redness lingering in her ear too. Calling the vet tomorrow a.m. to suggest a recheck. The stuff pools too far into her ear canal (or I’m not doing it right) and the ear stays too wet for my taste. I need to keep it dry in there, not all mushy.
In dogs, it can tend to cause some hearing loss for the duration of treatment also, which can sometimes become permanent. Not sure if that applies to bunnies. Just a heads up.
Feel better, Mr. Ears! ^_^

[LittlePuffyTail]

Went to the vet last night. She didn’t do a swab because it’s still really wet and yucky looking in his ear. She cleaned it out and he’s still on Ottomax until recheck Tuesday! Need more ear vibes!

[Sarita]

Wonder if there might be an oral antibiotic that might help – poor Bindi has had more ear drops than any bunny I know and he still seems to get ear infections – maybe clearing it up from the inside out might be the answer…

[lashkay]

Ear’s more healthy ear vibes for Bindi. Yeast, go away. Bacterial infections too.

[MimzMum]

Oh stupid germs! Get lost! ((((((((((((((((((healthy ear vibes for dear Bindi))))))))))))))))))))))

I feel your pain, LPT…Jenna’s infection isn’t cleared up yet either.

I think Sarita has a point. Maybe it’s time to go at this from another direction?

[LittlePuffyTail]

I’m sure if it’s not gone by Tuesday’s appt. we will be trying something else. The poor little guy, I feel so bad, always doing stuff to his ears. He has a little cut in his ear, I think from his ear being poked and prodded so much and everytime I apply the drops it makes it bleed again. At least his ears don’t seem to be bothering him too much. I’m making sure to keep him extra spoiled lately!

[4Lily]

awe, anyone who has had ear infections knows how the poor bunnies feel!
Don’t want to overstep a vet, but has anyone researched a powder called diatamaceous earth food grade? Just wondering if that could prevent ear problems because of the drying & killing of bacteria & yeast? I had to do some research for something else, but that popped up to be totally safe for all animals, just not bugs or bacteria or fungus etc..! It is basically ground up fossils, very high in minerals. Hope I don’t offend anyone with that suggestion. I have a really good vet, but some of the vet tech’s there don’t know what they are talking about & if I can’t get in contact with my cousin, I am left researching & trying to figure stuff out myself, & that’s how I came across that stuff! Haven’t tried it yet, but planning on getting it for just about everything, just incase & prevention of alot of stuff.

[MimzMum]

I think we tried that for our elderly dogs, who had recurring ear infections in their last years of life. Mostly because the two of them were digging in the yard and eating straight dirt looking for nourishment. If only I’d realized how nasty the dog food was that I was feeding them, I’d have seen that they were basically starving to death even with full food bowls!
Not sure how well it worked, if at all, but I suppose it’s worth asking your vet.

[LittlePuffyTail]

I wil definetly be having a conversation with my vet Tuesday night about any and all possibilities. His ear looks no better today. When I look in it with a flashlight the walls of his canal are bright red. He doesn’t seem himself this past week either. Restless. Usually he spends all afternoon in his house sleeping but lately, he’s been getting up frequently and laying “superman” style in front of his door. I guess the ear drop x2 routine may have messed him up a bit. He’s still eating and pooping normally though. Just really want to nick this thing in the butt! The last few days I’ve noticed his eye opposite the infected ear is a bit runny too so I’ll have to get that looked at too.

Mimzmum- That’s terrible about the dog food! That makes me made when you trust companies to give your pet quality and they let you down.

[Deleted User]

oh no, how discouraging! Maybe there is an underlying issue that affects both eye and ear, or maybe the medication is not agreeing with him? Is that possible?

[MimzMum]

Oh dear. Not good, poor little man! (((((((((((more healing vibes)))))))))))))
Could he be allergic to this particular brand of medicine? Has he had it before?

[LittlePuffyTail]

No, he’s never had the otomax before. We’re off to the vet this evening to get the ear checked and I will make sure she looks at his eye. I feel so bad bringing him back to the vet. He was just there on Thursday. Usually, he is pretty calm about the whole deal, not happy but still willing to eat the treats I bring in my pocket. Last visit he was really stressed out, wouldn’t eat the treats. Hopefully, this will be it for a good, long while! I will update.

[LittlePuffyTail]

After a very long time at the vet’s tonight (was super busy) we got the good news! No more infection!!!!!

*******Binkies around room********* Hurrah!!!!!!

[MimzMum]

Wonderful news! ^_^ *throws confetti…and treats for Bindi* Jenna cleared up too and just had her first bath since finishing her medicine. Hurray for clean ears of all kinds!

[RabbitPam]

That’s excellent!

[4Lily]

AWESOME! So happy to hear all has worked out!

[Author]

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