We just took (W) Dutch in for his first vet visit this morning.  Thanks to Karen Murray, we were armed with copies of medical reports and articles related to vaccinations.  Julie had provided us with a list of holistic vets, so we were prepared to change if we were not comfortable with our veterinary group.  We want to protect our beloved Dutch, without exposing him to excessive risks of blindly throwing everything at him because it’s easier than researching the facts and educating ourselves.

After a lengthy discussion, our vet was in agreement with a proposed schedule of staggered vaccinations with inactivated vaccines (killed) whenever possible (rabies, parvovirus, etc.).    We will be measuring serum antibody titres against specific infectious agents such as distemper, parvovirus before vaccinations are given.  No vaccinations were given during this visit.

Dutch now weighs 23.8 pounds at 10 weeks and 5 days old.  He was so good during the visit, enduring the examination with great composure, except during the ear exam/treatment.  Perfect hips & elbows, eyes, very nice gait, just perfect inside and out except for his ears .   I had no idea that anything was wrong with his ears – he wasn’t shaking or scratching them at all!  I’ve just been admiring how they’ve been standing up already so well.  In fact, the vet, among all the other accolades about what a great pup I have, mentioned that his ear cartilage was good.  But, inside those beautiful ears, was a thriving yeast colony!  No mites, just yeast.  He had been scratching his body a little, and nibbling his back legs and feet a little at times, the way a dog with a flea might go after it.  However, his skin and coat are perfect – the vet found nothing after a thorough comb-through.

The vet removed quite a bit of yucky black yeast debris from both ears, and gave us the otic wash and Animax Ointment (nystatin-neomycin sulfate-thiostrepton-triamcinolone acetonide) to treat daily. We are concerned about all the massaging and manipulation of his ears during this critical time for the ears to mature.  Any advice?  We have seen this problem many times before in our Labs, and have been told that it’s common in dogs with those floppy ears.  Dutch’s ears aren’t floppy any more!  I feel a little guilty for not having noticed it.  We have to stay on top of this all the time with our Labs, and always have the ear wash on hand.