Question:
i am new here and don't know if this is the right place to do this but i'll try. i have a question regarding the health of my malamute, he is an outdoor dog , we have 1/2 of an acre that he plays in, he sleeps in adog house . he is usually very active , running , jumping, and he always greets me with his signature howl. i noticed today that he was sleeping alot of the day and he usually gets up to come play with me when i go out . i went to feed him and he made a strange noise and his head is tilted down and to the side. he did come to me but i noticed a lot of head shaking , his ear is bent down , and he cries when he shakes his head and he cries when he scratches his ear which has been frequent over the last 4 hours. i phoned to go to the vet tomorrow but i am quite worried. do you think this sounds like ear mites? he's never had any medical problems before , not even fleas. (worried mom)

Answer:
First things first, don't leave him outside like that and get him to a vet asap

This could be a neurological condition or an inner ear infection.

He could become severely off balance and injure/hurt himself outside...he needs to be monitored and for heavens sakes dont leave him tied to anything.

Bring him in and keep him warm as he may go into shock. Keep watch of his eyes to see if they do anything odd like dart back and forth or bulge.

This can be very very frightening to them so please bring him inside.

Answer:
thank- you for your seemingly caring advice. i never tie my animals up i think it's cruel . and yes i have been monitoring him he's sleeping on the carpet right now. and yes my dear he sleeps outside, he prefers it , he is an alaskan malamute with a ton of fur. he gets hot quite easily so he really enjoys outside . actually he loves it when it's cold he rolls around enjoying it. he will lay on his back legs open sleeping on the snow. this breed actually likes the cold. (brrrrr.) not me don't worry we're not forcing him. he comes in and out of the house . my animals are taken care of just as good as my children because i think of them as my children also not just pets . as the asap vet i live in a rural area and tomorrow is when they can see him. i was hoping someone might have seen these symptoms before . i'll let you know tomorrow what the vet says .thank -you
jeannie

Answer:
If he had earmites, you would have seen scratching before now. It could be an infection, or he may actually have something stuck or jammed in his ear.

Do let us know what happens!

Answer:
Oh yea sounds like a major ear infection. Have you looked in the ear? Do you see black stuff around? It is quite painful for the dogs. I deal with this often...too often. Do keep him in for the time being....just to make sure he doesn't hurt himself. Also watch if he scratches the ear itself....they can cut that and make a mess.

Answer:
yes, i thought i would have seen some scratching also but haven't it just came on suddenly. he wont let me touch his ear it's to painful and i'm a big suck , i can't bring myself to hurtung him so i'll wait for the vet this morning to sedate him and then look. he is just as much a big suck as mom here. he just lays here with me stroking him, but don't get to close to the ear. i will let ypu know later what it is.
thanks for all of your advice that's been coming
jeannie


Answer:
thank- you for your seemingly caring advice
Hey you said the dog was an outdoor dog you didnt' mention whether u tie him up or not!! I am not a mind reader!

I am glad your taking him to the vet and that you are keeping a close eye on him now.

Answer:
just an update on champ for those who have been involved. We got back from the vet who informed us that champ's eardrum burst, due to an infection which is one of these so called superbugs. it comes through other contact apparently but anyway a lot of pain medication, anti-inflamatory, and antibiotics for 3 weeks should clear it up. He may suffer hearing loss as a result , now he really has an excuse for not listening (lol. )the vet thinks he will do o.k he will still have the one good side to hear from. just a note to luba , i did not mean to offend you, you sound a little cranky. i'm sorry if my reply to you sounded rude, i just wanted to clarify your misunderstanding to my original message. i think i said he has 1/2 of an acre to run around in. but no matter, no use in silly arguing thats not what i came here for and i'm sure you didn't either. so i apologize for offending you in anyway. i sometimes do that without even trying because i just say what i mean.
jeannie

Answer:
Oh poor dog! I'm glad to hear he'll be okay!

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