Question:
This is to update all those caring folks who were providing advice re Solomon. The final diagnosis was that Solly had a major ear infection which was causing all the problems. He is now on antibiotics and inflamatory medication and ear drops. We have a problem getting the ear drops into his ears. We were provided with a muzzle but it's not big enough and Solly gets very confrontational when you attempt to administer the ear drops. I think we need a bigger muzzle which will stop him from attempting to bite us. The other medicaiton has started to do its stuff but now it's time to get the big guns out and obtain a muzzle that will really prevent him from getting confrontational. Thanks again for all your suggestions. The blood work came back ok by the way.

Answer:
You don't need a muzzle, all you need is an old mans neck tie, it will work just as good.

You wrap it around the snout two times then come up from the bottom and tie it behind the head. Neck tie works, or even a long piece of fabric don't waste money on a muzzle it's not worth it!

Ear infection...did the vet do an ear swab ..is it inner ear, middle ear or is the vet guessing?

Okay so antibiotics = give him some plain yogurt!

Answer:
Luba,you keep suggesting yoghurt,what's in yoghurt that seems to help against just about everything

Answer:
Ahhhh

Well if you take antibiotics, it kills all healthy bacteria too..esp in the intestine and gut!

Yogurt contains active healthy bacteria that you need to replace when the antibiotics kill them all

Not just for dogs/cats..us too !

Answer:
Hi Luba:

My - you are a font of information - I'm impressed.

Solomon had an inner ear infection - he was literally walking around in circles at one point.

Re the muzzle situation. I have to explain that we rescued Solomon 3 years ago from an abusive situation where he had been thrown out into a farmers field to die. At the time we found him he was ragged, starving and full of parasites. However, he came with those defensive, built-in traits that we have not been able to rid him of. He will growl ferociously if you try to lift his ear to put in the drops and acts like a wild animal. The rest of the time he is a gentle loving dog . So even tying up a scarf or tie around his nose turns him into a raging bull!! Consequently, I am forced to get a better muzzle just to adminsiter the medication. This is the only down-side to having Solomon around otherwise he is full of personality, jumps and leaps like a deer but I guess his ill-treatment of the past has left him very vulnerable and defensive. Our other female poodle, Sheba is as placid as Solomon is "crazy" and just "tolerates" him being around. She appears to be the Alpha dog and Solly will follow and copy her but if she could communicate as a human she would simply tell Solly to "take a pill" and get lost!!! It is so entertaining having dogs and observing their personalities.

Thanks again for your imput.

Cheers

Moya

Answer:
Ear infections can be very disturbing and dangerous.

Thanks for the compliment (all comes with experience...which I'm sure you're getting lots of )

You can try giving him a bone to chew on while you give him his medication, that way it's made into a 'good' experience instead of a negative one...do you think it may work?

Little treats throughout the administering of the meds is great idea, chopped pieces of apple are yummie

Sounds like Solomon will need some time getting over those memories, and I'm very happy you have him, protected and loved.

Some hints, if you're taking him outside and it's very cold/windy or raining put cotton balls in his ears..just don't shove them down too far.

Also, after infection is completely gone and meds are finished, once every two weeks clean the ears...a friend of mine has an amazing ear cleansing recipe to speak, I'll get that for you. He breeds show dogs (cockers) and they are prone to ear infections. Saves him a bundle.

Also, if you send him to get groomed, insist they put cotton in his ears before bathing, drying etc....
if you bathe him, do the same thing.

Answer: