Head tilt?

[Miztiki]

Boy's head has been cockeyed for two days now. His one ear is apparently bothering him as he is holding it funny and messing with it every now and then.

 

Both ears look and smell good, and I couldn't find any ticks or other things that might be annoying his ear. I washed both ears out anyway but found nothing.

 

Any ideas why he is holding his head & ear like that?

[Kitch]

Inner ear infection, maybe? I don't think you can always see those...

[muggs]

Vestibular syndrome can cause a head tilt. It has to do with inflammation of the nerves in the inner ear. It clears up by itself in a matter of days to weeks. My dog Levi had two bouts of geriatric vestibular disease - this version is quite devestating but also clears by itself. So I read alot about it and found out it can show up much milder in younger dogs.

 

But I would still check out ear infection possibilities like Kerry said in case you need antibiotics.

[Miztiki]

He's on antibiotics (Cephalexin) now, from the last time he was in and had that cough ("touch of bronchitis").

 

I'll do a search of vestibular syndrome. I swear, I'm at the vet every week for one dog or the other. I hope this is nothing and clears up on it's own, but I'll stop by the vet anyway.

 

Thanks gusy.

[Miztiki]

He's got the beginnings of another ear infection. More otomax and steroids. Dang allergies. I need to invest in one of those ear scopes.

 

gusy = guys

[muggs]

Poor Boy! At least he should improve quickly. Don't you wish one antibiotic could treat them all? There were times I had Levi on 3.

 

From one of the gusy.

[Kitch]

It is things like this that make me believe in Fate. Imagine if Boyden ended up with a less caring owner? Somehow, I doubt his coat would be as shiny or his life as fulfilled.

 

You "gusy" were obviously destined to be together!

[Miztiki]

You gusy are funny! Thanks, and I hope you have a great weekend!!

[urge to herd]

Poor Boy! Glad you caught it before it became full blown.

 

My vet recommended that we flush out Shoshone's ears with a vinegar wash. About 1 Tbs of vinegar to a cup of water to start with, warm the solution, soak cotton balls in it, (2-3 per ear) put cotton balls inside ear, as far as you can gently push them, massage ears for 3 minutes, let go and stand back !

 

The acidity from the vinegar evidently helps keep the right ph in the ears.

 

We started calling Shoshone The Billion Dollar Free Dog a couple years ago. Boy might be another one.

 

Ruth n the BC3

[BigD]

Hey Miztiki, can we quote you when we get the next "Are two dogs that much more expensive than one?" thread?

 

Denise

[Miztiki]

Sure you can!

 

Also quote the following:

 

Poorly bred dogs are much more likely to have health problems than well bred dogs, and mutts are not necessarily any healthier!

 

(I must say though, watching these two play these last few days makes the vet bills unimportant. Hubby will just have to get another job. )