Question:
My male german shepard has an ear infection that he won't let us treat. I need to know if its okay to give him morphine to make him groggy enough to give him the drops in his ears. I cannot afford to take him to the vets for this. I love him and he is suffering.

Answer:
Why did you get a dog that you can not offord? I am just wondering pets cost alot of money and that prolly should have been thought about before getting him. Where did you get him at? You need to find a way to get him to the vet you would find a way if it was your child. Borrow the money from a friend, talk to the vet and sit up a payment plan! Something NEEDS to be done!

Answer:
So where are you getting the morphine from?

You can't administer a drug to a dog that was prescribed to someone else!

Get this dog to a vet! You could kill it with the morphine.

Answer:
OH my god,morphine,see some of these people cant be serious,to even consider giving your dog morphine,uh bad idea,,

Answer:
MORPHINE?????? HOLY CRAP.

Here's what you do: Go to the pet store. Buy a muzzle. Put it on your dog and treat his ears.

I hope you at least got the ear medication from the vet?

Answer:
Why did you get a dog that you can not offord? I am just wondering pets cost alot of money and that prolly should have been thought about before getting him. Where did you get him at?
First of all what is with all the bashing on this site. Maybe this person lost there job or another reason for not being able to afford the vet. They are asking for help and all you do is bash then why don't you pay for the vet if you are so quick to jump at someone?
Do not give the dog morphine. Call your vet and explain your situation to him and describe the problem with you dog. I think that a vet should see him, I have a mastiff and they are very prone to ear infections as well. If you leave them untreated they will get alot worse.

Answer:
My understanding is that this person already has drops for the dog's ears and just can't get them in.

I still say a muzzle is the easiest and safest way to do this.

Answer:
In CA, vets CANNOT prescribe medication if they haven't examined the pet or have personal knowledge of the particular pet's condition. Good reasons behind this! Sometimes, a post must be answered with a direct, straight-forward response. It's not an attack. If they're not thinking rationally about a situation, you don't want them to misunderstand what you're saying!

Answer:
I understand bashing does not help,but come on should i give my dog morphine the most powerful drug out there,that is just crazy to even think..

Answer:
My thought is that if one trip was made to the vet to get the ear drops and examine the dogs ears (assuming this because they say they have drops)
Then a phone CALL to the vet for some advise would be a good idea.

As LR suggested, a muzzle would work and if you don't have the money to get a muzzle you can make one using say a mans neck tie.

You drape the tie over the snout so it's hanging down equal on each side
criss cross it over at the bottom but don't tie it.
Bring it up to behind the neck below the ears and tie it firmly. Make sure the dogs tongue isn't sticking out so it doesn't chomp on the tongue while you do this.

Reassure the dog the entire time you're doing it...give a treat before and after. Don't yell or anything at the dog while you do this, you want the dog to trust you, especially treating an ear condition that you need to do for several days.

Once you get the drops in each ear, rub the base of the ear a little bit then take the restraint off the dogs snout (the tie). Let him shake his head which he will do naturally, this will help to bring 'out' any infection and stir up the drops that went in.

Be sure to praise him for being a good boy and letting you do this. Give him a treat and pat him!


Edited to add:

** DO NOT ** use ear drops not prescribed for this dogs specific condition it can make a situation worse!! If the dog has not seen a vet yet, pls take him as ear infections can lead to deafness.

Answer:
I've heard of using a strip of cloth for a muzzle. Loop it around the dog's nose and tie it lightly at the bottom, and then tie it around the neck, to.

Answer:
Pantyhose is good too!! You can put it tight, and it won't cut or hurt the dog.

Answer:
I appreciate the input from all of you. First, I am not an incompetant dog owner. I would not give morphine to my dog without an okay. You people definatly answered my question. I will try the muzzle thing again. Yes, the drops are from my vet. I have already spent over $1,000.00 on this. I love the dog and truly don't know what to do. Thank you for trying to help.

Answer:
I know of people who have to muzzle their dogs to cut their nails! Vets do it all the time. Let us know how it works out.

Answer:
Remember we respond to what we read. The more you clarify the easier for us as 'outsiders' to understand!

I'm glad you explained!

Answer: