Need Dog Help Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[FlagChick]

So sorry for your pup. I understand having money trouble and the stress of a vet bill, I've been there way too many times. It sounds like you're unhappy with your vet, and that going to a new vet may be a good idea. If you do take your dog in, ask about payment options - my experience with vets is that they are usually very flexible and really want what's best for the dog. Good luck.

 

[Elite Silkies]

If I'm not mistaken the aquacillin (SP) is the same antibiotic that you can get from the vet. If the dog has an infection, I would give it antibiotics. Might be easier and you can get the aquacillin from Walmart pretty cheap.

 

[Benelli]

Sundance,
I'm not sure how far you are from a Publix Supermarket pharmacy, but if you've got one nearby this may help a little. Call your vet. and see he they will call in a prescription for you dog to your nearest Publix pharmacy. If he/she has treated your dog before they should do that for you. Explain you $ situation. The reason I'm telling you about Publix is that they fill most all antibiotic rx's for animals for free. It's a little secret they don't advertise, but they do it. They hate me when I need anitbiotics for my horses, but sometimes you gotta do what you've got to do. If you can swing the vet and Publix tells you no, contact me. I'll have my friend make a call for you who works for Publix's pharmacy, main office. The pharmacy may not want to because it cuts into their profits. However, it is their policy to do this.

Also, I know U. TN has a great vet program. They should also have a smaller affiliated vet school,usually for minority students. The vet care is excellent at the state affiliated schools for a lot less money. I took my horse to Auburn and it about broke the bank. I then took another horse to Tuskegee State, a sister school to Auburn with the same teaching staff and my bill was almost half what Auburn's quote. They all have a small animal school, not just horses. Hope this info might help you or someone else in the future.

 

[mypicklebird]

Your dog has learned that when you come at her with a syringe, you are going to HURT her. Both of those things you are using HURT when you put them on infected and raw tissue. Even the nicest dog may turn on it's owner when it is in pain- especially if you are causing it. What you need to do is quit it with the painful flushes now. If you haven't taken her to a vet recently, there may be an object in her ear underlying the infection like a grass seed. If her ear hurts so much, she likely needs a heavy sedation or even brief anesthesia to look in her ear and flush it out. The vet can determine if it is a bacterial infection vs a yeast infection- and prescribe appropriate oral medications (pain meds, sedation, antibiotics if indicated, appropriate non painful flush, as well as topical). If there is an object, they can get it out. If your vet is afraid of your dog- there may be good reason (like it tries to bite them), or they may just be afraid of the breed from some past experience with someone else's pet(s). If your dog is well behaved at the vet's and their fear makes no sense to you- go find another vet. If your dog does have a well earned reputation- a dog who bites at the vet- can still be taken care of medically, but it usually means the dog has to come in with tranquilizers on board, and needs additional injectable sedation given after the owner puts a muzzle on the dog.
If you do not have the cash money or credit for an exam, at least minimal diagnostics, and appropriate treatments- then your options are somewhat limited- but there are vets around that will do payment plans, take care credit, humane societies with limited charity programs ect. You may have to make many phone calls, and you may have to drive to a different or larger town- but you need to try.

If you truly have no money, and no way to beg or borrow any for proper care, and can't drive to somewhere that can help- then---

At least stop the painful flushes, and use something that does not hurt- like sterile saline (you can make it or buy eye wash) or diluted chlorhexidene from the feed store. Saline will not damage your dog's middle/inner ear if the infection has ruptured her ear drum, but it is not an antibacterial flush. Chlorhexi is not really appropriate for the middle ear, but it does have good antibacterial properties. This may help, but is only a bandaid solution if the infection has an object underlying, or is severe enough that your dog needs topical and systemic meds.

Part of owning pets is having the ability to feed, house, and medically care for them. Loving them is simply not enough. Euthanizing/putting a dog down due to a severe ear infection would not be something any owner or vet would WANT to do, but living in chronic and severe pain is not a good life for any dog- even a stoic pitt. If you can't fix and manage her ear properly, then euthanizing her is not wrong- just very sad for all those involved.

Epi-otic Advanced is a good cleanser for healthy ears, but it will sting as well- as it does have alcohol based drying agents in there. Good for routine cleaning, or maintenance in chronic bad ears that do not have current infection.

 

[mypicklebird]

The diet changes can work really well for chronic YEAST ear infections, or bacterial and yeast combos that the underlying problem was yeast. Yeast smells, and the ears are usually more itchy than painful. Painful ears usually mean bacterial, and they need more initial care than a diet change. Dogs that are foot lickers, bottom rubbers and have chronic yeast ear infections- often have food allergies (to some of the carb fillers, sometimes a protein). This dog I think with the one painful & infected ear, probably has a bacterial issue- or even a really old & nasty foxtail sitting in there. A diet change may help this girl in a few months, but she needs direct good ear care now. I would like this poster to invest in a good vet visit now, and a better diet down the road if the dog's history and signs match with a food allergy....



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[fancbrd4me02]

UI agree with my pickle.... You need to make some calls. Ear infections, especially recurring ones can be serious. There might be an issue related to the sinus or teeth that is causing some of this. You really are unlikely to resolve this adequately without some sort of diagnostics from a vet.

If you are low income, (or a senior), you will probably qualify for free or nearly free veterinary care from your local ASPCA or Animal Shelter. Contact them first, they are very understanding about financial hardships and should be able to help you. Be prepared to show proof of your income or lack of.

In the unlikely event that they are unable to help you or direct you to a cheap source of vet care, look into recue groups who often know the best and cheapest vets around. tell them about how you need cheap vet care, and they can probably tell you who they use.

Once you get to a vet (or when trying to find a vet) ask about applying for a payment plan or line of credit. Many vets & medical offices use one called "Care Credit". I really urge you to try to get a professional to look at your dogs ear. If the animal is in pain, it is probably a significant infection that most likely will not clear up with random flushes and antibiotic guesswork. I had a dog that had a history of ear infections, and even with routine vet treatments the infections caused irriversable damage to her body and eyes.

Don't be afraid to call your local animal shelter, ASPCA or resues for help, I promise that you will be helped by someone. You are not the only pet owner to face this problem, and you can get vet care for your dog.

 

[mypicklebird]

Aquacillin = penicillin, not appropriate spectrum for the type of bacterial that is in this chronic and painful wet ear. Probably a waste of money for this person.


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[sundance]

thanks for all the help, really appreciate it.and with both DH an I being 73, its really a job trying to hold a 70 lb all muscle dog.Unfortunally, the co . I live in Has NO animal control, and only 1 vet. She had a very large fat tumer on her side couple years ago and I asked him if I could pay half the bill when he did the surgery and the other half the next month,(about 10 days later)and he told me he did not do business that way. H e has only been out vet 7 years. When I had to take J.R, My Yorkie in for surgery from his accident, I took him to a vet in the next county, His bill was $500.00. asked if I could split it in 2 payments, since ssa only pays monthly. He said No , he cnly took cash, check, or credit cards. the third was about 5 days from when he did the surgery.He was really NICE when J.R, died, He called and said(quote, your dog is dead. when are you going to pick up his body)City Girl thanks, but no way we can get into the boro today. I have a friend that works for a vet, had forgotten about her will call and see if she can get something. thank all of you for you answers, its great to know you have people who you can count on to answer any problems THANKS AGAIN marrie

I will go thru the freezer and find her some raw meat. , after 10 years she is as much a part of me as J.R. was.

 

[fancbrd4me02]

This is some info I got from ASPCA for financial help with vet bills. You can go on the website and contact them directly for more help getting free vet care. Meanwhile, they advise calling all the numbers listed below as they are linked with programs to get free/cheap vet care for pets of people who are seniors or low income. There is often transportation or home vet care availible too, so don't let that be your reason for not calling these numbers. Also, did you call to make sure your conty doesn't provide transportaion/assistance for low income pets vet care? Make sure to check with the county senior services where you live - for humans I mean. Often county senior services have vet help for seniors linked with thier community services.

I have also included contact info for all the Ten. animal control officials for you to email for help. Its listed below towards the bottem of the list. You are in ten. right?


The following organizations may be a good resource for other affordable options for veterinary care. The information given below is provided as a courtesy and does not imply the endorsement, recommendation and/or approval of any company or organization. This information is kept as current as possible, and is updated regularly.

Care Credit, a credit card company for veterinary care

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
(800) 248-2862

American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists

American College of Veterinary Surgeons
(301) 913-9550

Hearts United for Animals
(402) 274-3679

United Animal Nations

Help-A-Pet
(630) 986-9504

IMOM
(866) 230-2164

MaxFund (for animals with no known owner)
(303) 595-4917

American Animal Hospital Association Helping Pets Fund
(866) 443-5738

Angels 4 Animals

Feline Veterinary Emergency Assistance

The Pet Fund


ANIMAL CONTROL OF TENNESEE

ACAT Board of Directors
Officers

President, Tracy Hill
Rutherford County PAWS Director
Office: 615-898-7740
Email: [email protected]

Vice President, Cheri Langlet
Metro Animal Services
Office: 615-862-7928
Email: [email protected]

Secretary/Treasurer, Teresa Jennings
Companion Animal Initiative of TN Director
Office: 865-755-2276
Email: [email protected]

Past President, Dave Head
Knox County Animal Control Director
Office: 865-215-6685
Email: [email protected]

Region Directors

Western Region

Keith Spencer
Hardeman County Animal Control
Office: 731- 658-2884
[email protected]

Marvin Tidwell
Dickson County Animal Control
Office: 615- 441-9591

Nina Wingfield
Collierville Animal Services
Office: 901-457-2670
Email: [email protected]

Central Region

Jason Bradford
Franklin County Animal Control
Office: 931- 967-5389
Email: [email protected]

Judy Ladebauche
Metro Animal Services Director
Office: 615-862-7928
Email: [email protected]

Chris Rawls
Robertson County Animal Control
Office: 615-384-5611
Email: [email protected]

East Region

Rocky Farr
Grainger County Humane Society
Office: 865-567-0050
Email: [email protected]

Phillip King
Sevier County Sheriff’s Office
Office: 865-453-4668
Email: [email protected]

Carl Zagona
City of East Ridge Animal Services
Office: 423-664-0271
Email: [email protected]

 

[onthespot]

Zymox does not sting and I have found it to be VERY helpful in knocking down ear infections, including yeast and bacterial. Probably diet is a large part of your dog's problem, or a tooth infection like was said before. Just wanted to put in a plug for zymox. It is VERY good stuff, clear, doesn't smell, doesn't stink. It dissolves the crud in their ear and they can just shake it out and a week later you can hardly tell there was a problem. You can't be stingy with it though, you have to fill the ear canal and massage it around, and treat both ears whether the other one looks bad or not. Good luck. You got a LOT of good, helpful posts on this thread!