Young SBT with chronic pruritic ears

Re: Young SBT with chronic pruritic ears

Anthony Todd — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 12:56:24 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]I'm really not going to waste my time answering that.[/quote]

Well nor would I.

It's been used so widely for so long in so many animals and humans with no long term bad effects and always with short term near total relief so quickly.

It does concern me when animals with an unpleasant condition are not given relief until the diagnosis is finally discovered and, in this case, a "therapeutic" diagnosis is not too likely

To say that, because it doesn't involve the pinnae, it may not be allergic is just wrong too. Allergic otitis involving just the external canal is arguably the commonest site for atopy or allergy that I used to see.

[Mind you one does assume that the external canal has been looked at down to the drum; steroids topically aren't too good for grass seeds.....]

PS or ear mites [forgot!]

Re: Young SBT with chronic pruritic ears

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 12:37:24 GMT

[quote user="Anthony Todd"]

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]Nonetheless I would be avoiding topical steroids as long a as possible.[/quote]

Why?

[/quote] I'm really not going to waste my time answering that.

But now we've established that this doesn't affect the pinnas so may not be an allergic dermatitis after all then even more reason.

Re: Young SBT with chronic pruritic ears

Anthony Todd — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 12:30:14 GMT

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]Nonetheless I would be avoiding topical steroids as long a as possible.[/quote]

Why? It's the only thing that will give adequate relief in a matter of hours and it's the pruritis not any infection, at least that's what I understand.

Once the ears aren't so uncomfortable then your cleaning etc. may help but usually once the irritation is controlled everything settles down.

You're only going to use the topical steroids until you get relief ,and then as necessary, so think more of the dog''s comfort and less of the mythical harm of topical steroids used sensibly.

Re: Young SBT with chronic pruritic ears

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 12:24:49 GMT

PS I took so long constructing my answer that you'd made your second post Rachael.

If the pinnas are fine and nothing else is itchy then it doesn't sound like atopic dermatitis. Classically the pinnas will be affected with a mild vertical canal otitis externa but not involving the horizontal canal. You don't need a lab for microbiology, assuming you have some stain and a microscope then a simple cotton bud swab will tell you if there is just cocci and malassezia which should respond easily to most stock ear drops or rods which may then need a bit more effort. Something containing trisEDTA like Otoprof or Otodine may be useful and doesn't have to go in too often.

Re: Young SBT with chronic pruritic ears

Martin Atkinson — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 12:15:26 GMT

The preds haven't made her morbidly obese the owners feeding her appetite have!!

Nonetheless I would be avoiding topical steroids as long as possible. You need to treat any secondary otitis externa so a swab for a correct diagnosis is necessary but you may be able to use Easotic if appropriate. Otherwise an ear cleaner once or twice a week may be enough and tolerable for the owner to fight with the dog if there are only a few cocci and malassezia.

If this is an atopy at present just affecting the ears then topical treatment may suffice (are you sure there aren't other classical sites involved i.e.feet, axilla, abdomen etc). In which case other things you could try may be Malacetic or CHX wipes, an EFA supplement and spray the pinnas with Cortavance but sadly all these things cost money. I guess you could mix up some injectable steroid with water and put it in a pump action spray bottle and see how it goes.

For antihistamine try hydroxyzine instead of chlorpheniramine it is often more effective in dogs.

But it sounds like you may be fighting a losing battle with these clients. Pray for when will Apoquel be back for cases like this? (but of course they couldn't afford it)!

Re: Young SBT with chronic pruritic ears

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 12:12:40 GMT

[quote user="rachaelyost"] owner wont pay for skin scrapes :([/quote]

How much does a skin scrape cost?

Re: Young SBT with chronic pruritic ears

rachaelyost — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 12:10:12 GMT

Pinnas are fine, has been treated with advocate for mites by previous vet but owner wont pay for skin scrapes :(

Re: Young SBT with chronic pruritic ears

Anthony Todd — Tue, 07 Oct 2014 11:50:02 GMT

[quote user="rachaelyost"]inflamed ears that are chronically itchy.[/quote]

I assume this is the external canals and nothing involving the pinnae? [and no mites, sorry...]

If it is then strong human topical steroids will end up as the best thing for relief whilst you look for a cause which won't be easy.