Bichon Ears - long, sorry...

[wrinklesanyone]

Hi Everyone,

I am trying to get into grooming. I have submitted my essay for the scholarship and I am hopeful. I have viewed a lot of the posts at this site and others and see that everyone has a lot of advice and knowledge. It is great. It has helped me to watch for things in my own dog...which apparently I did not do so well as you may soon read.

Now to my reason for posting. I have a Bichon, six years old. At one of his grooming visits, when I went to pick him up, the groomer informed me that it looked like he had an infection in his ears, possibly a yeast infection. So, I called my vet, took him in and they told me no, his ears were fine.

I took him back another visit and guess what...I was told the same thing, this time it was worse...he had no hair in his ears at all! My groomer had another Bichon in the shop the same day. They brought him out so I could see his ears to see what they looked like. I was shocked and felt horrible that I did not know that something was wrong with my dog. My dog always plays, happy, jumping. He never showed anything about not feeling well.

I told my groomer the story above and so they referred me to another vet. I called, made an appointment which was a few days out. I then thought about it and called the new vet back and asked if it was possible to get in sooner and they were able to get us in.

I told them the story as well and yes, there was an infection...and it was pretty bad. They gave him a shot and gave me medication and ear wash for him and was told to bring him back in week. I did exactly what the dr ordered and when we went back for a re-check, his ears were amazingly better. I think the dr was shocked that he was so much better as well for as bad as it was. We then changed to a different type of med. I do have to take him back in a few days for another recheck to see how he is doing.

The dr did say he did not think there was enough damage to keep the hair from growing back. I have been checking him constantly now and wash his ears 1-2x per week now. My dogs ears look fleshy colored once again and I do see some regrowth of hair.

I can't believe that I did not know this and appreciate all the knowledge that I have been reading.

Thanks for all your information you all provide.

[Angie]

Are you upset that the hair in the ear was gone? In Bichons, you are supposed to pluck out the ear hair. Also with poodles, shih, etc.. Leaving the ear hair unplucked can lead to ear infections. I'm glad you got a second opinion. I have come across the same problem with a client who finally went to a different vet and got the problem treated. Ear infections that are not addressed can lead to alot of damage even loss of hearing.
Good luck in your grooming adventure. There is alot to learn, but it is so much fun and well worth it. Also, you never stop learning.

[Helly]

I no longer pluck ears, as plucking causes more infection than not plucking. At least that's how things are shaping up over the last few years. I've seen a dramatic decrease in the number of infected poodle, schnauzer, shih tzu, and bichon ears since I quit plucking. Wish I could find something so simple to reduce the infection in cocker ears.

Wrinkles, don't beat yourself up over it. You're not a vet, and you didn't know. Your own vet told you there was no problem, and you trusted him to know what he's talking about. And now that you do know, you're taking action to treat the infection. Can't ask for more than that.

You'll find it frustrating when you do start grooming. You find ear and skin infections, fleas, ticks, worms, and symptoms of serious illness. You point these things out to the owners. They say they'll do something about the fleas and ticks. They promise to see their vet. But they don't. The next time you see the dog it's the same thing. Or it's worse.

One thing I find infuriating is a dog with flea bite dermatitis that it has no hair left on it's bumm. The skin is oozing, red, and so itchy you can't touch the dog without getting his back feet kicking. Fleas are running all over the dog. When you bathe him the water runs as red as blood from all the flea dirt. And the owners do nothing to treat for fleas. No matter how many time you tell them that a flea bath only kills the fleas on the dog, but nothing about the fleas in their house, they still do nothing. Or they insist they're using spot on treatment, and it's not working. Makes me want to put them naked into a tent of hungry mosquitos and ask how much they like it.

[PoodlePal]

Hi Wrinkles,

Don't be so hard on yourself ... a lot of dogs are prone to ear infections. The best way to tell is by cleaning the ears regularly, but you can usually smell an ear infection as well. Glad to hear that your dog is on the mend.

Good luck with grooming school. Where are you planning on attending? I'm a graduate of the CA School of Dog Grooming in San Marcos, CA. It's a terrific career to get into.

[wrinklesanyone]

I guess I was upset that my original vet stated he was fine and wasn't. I don't know. Maybe at that time he was fine. But when I took him back for another grooming and was told the same thing I started to wonder.

I knew that the ears had to be plucked, but my groomer had said there was none to pluck and that there was no hair at all on the underside of his ears.

Is there supposed to be hair on the under side? I don't know...I do see some hair on the underside now at the ends of his ears.

I guess another reason I was upset is that with all my other dogs that I had I could always tell when something was not right with them. Maybe my Bichon's ears did not bother him and it just did not click.

I will be watching closer at everything. Hopefully not to the point of paranoiya? (spelling).

[diamienono]

I no longer pluck ears, as plucking causes more infection than not plucking. At least that's how things are shaping up over the last few years. I've seen a dramatic decrease in the number of infected poodle, schnauzer, shih tzu, and bichon ears since I quit plucking. Wish I could find something so simple to reduce the infection in cocker ears.

Wrinkles, don't beat yourself up over it. You're not a vet, and you didn't know. Your own vet told you there was no problem, and you trusted him to know what he's talking about. And now that you do know, you're taking action to treat the infection. Can't ask for more than that.

You'll find it frustrating when you do start grooming. You find ear and skin infections, fleas, ticks, worms, and symptoms of serious illness. You point these things out to the owners. They say they'll do something about the fleas and ticks. They promise to see their vet. But they don't. The next time you see the dog it's the same thing. Or it's worse.

One thing I find infuriating is a dog with flea bite dermatitis that it has no hair left on it's bumm. The skin is oozing, red, and so itchy you can't touch the dog without getting his back feet kicking. Fleas are running all over the dog. When you bathe him the water runs as red as blood from all the flea dirt. And the owners do nothing to treat for fleas. No matter how many time you tell them that a flea bath only kills the fleas on the dog, but nothing about the fleas in their house, they still do nothing. Or they insist they're using spot on treatment, and it's not working. Makes me want to put them naked into a tent of hungry mosquitos and ask how much they like it.

You think of such evil torture. I love it.

[pamperedpups]

Vets are human and sometimes make mistakes. It's also possible that like you said, the infection wasn't as bad and easily noticed the first visit. The great thing is that your dog is getting better now because you didn't just ignore the possibility of a problem and kept searching for answers. I'm sure you'll make a fine groomer!

[wrinklesanyone]

Thank you all for your comments. We are happy that he is on the mend.

I am not sure where I am going to go to school right now. I work full time, so I am sure it will have to be an online course at first and then will come the fun part of actually working the dogs. I have mentioned it to some of my neighbors and they keep asking me if I have started yet...I get to work on their babies. In my neighborhood, we have cockers, bassets, chihuahua's, GSD's, yorkies and of course my Bichon, if he will let me work on him. He lets everyone else...but when I try...no way...just like your kids. They will listent to others but not their parents - lol. I am sure there are others. But hey..I think that is a pretty good mix to start with.

Thanks everyone for your replies. Keep all the good information flowing!

[jbates]

Wait N See

HELLY, i AGREE WITH EVERYTHING YOU SAID. I don't pluck much if at all. if told to, I explain my experience. My 11 yr. boys go for ages with lot of hair..they won't let me pluck.Not once in 11 yrs have they ever had an ear infection..pretty good record. I still think it iss there for reason..I don't get complaints about clients' dogs but I own Schnauzers..Snoozers. I have been nNair-ing Halle...oposite of good expo w/ boys. Looks clean for demo viewing..no prob yet..so who knows what is best.wauit and see.