Lol, thanks. I cannot tell you how many times I went home smelling like a big gooey yeast infection lmao!!! I know that was TMI but I figured it would make you laugh. 

Camille, if you don't have ear cleaner right now you can still wipe his ears out and get any gunk he might have outta there. Tissues will work as long as they are strong. I have used gauze plenty of times. I like gauze better, heck even a thin facecloth if you don't mind doing that to your facecloth lol. You could dampen it a little but not a lot. Don't rub hard, just a gentle wipe.

Glad to get the Otis update!!  

Keep sharing!!  I need encouragement and knowing that Otis is getting along helps a lot ... (another vid would be awesome too) 🙂 

Sarah

Hi Otis and Mum

Karen had some great questions...
“ your vet swab his ear- is that how they diagnosed an infection? is there a nasty odor in his ear? Is he shaking his head more than usual or scratching at the ear? Is the inside of his ear red and inflamed? Those are the signs I usually see in the pugs when they get infections.”

If i may please put my thoughts into Otis’ waxy ear problem...
Now please keep in mind, like many of us have said here, i am not a vet, but i was a certified dog groomer for 10+ years.

In my opinion only, I can honestly say that the antibiotics possibly have a huge part in why Otis has possible ear issues. After all, It is common for humans to get yeast infections when we are on antibiotics, is it possible for them to affect dogs in the same manner. Maybe even the meds have something to do with his problem? What we put in to our/their bodies, has to come out somewhere right? Just my thought...

As a dog groomer, i would suggest that you check with your vets as to whether or not using a q-tip would be a good idea. I have been taught time and time again, not to use q-tips in our animals ears!!!

Dogs do not cooperate well when putting anything in their ears. Their natural instinct is to shake their heads as soon as you go near them and with a q-tip inside the ear, it could potentially hurt them if they shake their heads while the q-tip is inserted.
Yes the ears are definitely shaped differently than ours, but a hard (unintentional) poke in the ear with a q-tip hurts either way right? Plus, when using a q-tip you are possibly pushing the waxy debris further inside the ear, causing a bigger issue in the long run.
Another downfall to a bad poke with a q-tip in the ear, is that it will make the experience a bad one and therefore making your future ear checks and cleanings a challenge.

I would suggest a vet recommended (non-greasy) formula for ear cleaning and use a cotton swab. Completely soak it through and clean out the ear and dont worry about too much liquid, some people pour the solution straight into the ear canal. Just wipe it out gently afterwards with another cotton ball. Proper ear solution is formulated to dry better and therefore there is no need be overly concerned about being able to dry it out properly after. As was also suggested, rub under the ears to massage the cleaner in and this should definitely help with the dirty ears. If there is an infection happening (very stinky, as suggested!) antibiotics should take care of things, along with diligent cleaning.
Keep in mind that if there is any redness from Otis scratching at his ears, then just be prepared for a bit of a reaction when you use the the solution, as it might sting a bit.

I was also taught that one shouldn’t use a Kleenex, as it breaks apart super easily when it is wet and bits can get left behind in the canal.
Of course allergies or certain foods can cause ear problems too. I find that when Stewie is fed too many ‘bad’ treats, he gets itchy, waxy ears. Its funny ‘cause Stewie always tells me when his ears are starting to get dirty... he starts shaking his head at me and when i ask him if he needs an ear cleaning, he goes running to where i keep his solution! I seriously love this dog for making my life so much easier! 😉

Im sorry Jacky if it seems that i am contradicting you again in this post, i don’t mean to, but this is just my opinion and experience and I feel the more information we have, the better the decisions we can make right?! 😉

Otis, darling, you really are getting to check things off the ‘things that can happen’ list aren’t you poor dear?
Here are a couple of posts online that i thought might offer you some further information.

http://www.petg.....-dog-ears/

And here’s some tips from one of my favourite dog people...

https://www.ces.....-dogs-ears

Best of luck, which ever way you choose to do it and remember the most important thing... a calm attitude while cleaning Otis’ ears and lots & lots of treats after!!! 😉
Petra, Stewie 🐾 and his Pride >^..^<

If I can please make one last point regarding poking things in ears... up here in Canada our doctors have a saying “Don’t poke anything smaller than your elbow in your ears!” It’s good common sense, which avoids regretful, potential accidents. 

Thanks for hearing me out. All the best for now,

Petra. 

Hi Camille and Otis,

im sorry to hear that you got the unwanted diagnosis! As you have said many times before, we do what we can for our fur kids right?! And always hope to beat those odds! So many pups have!!! Tripawds warriors have proven that!!!!  That is what I hang on to for our boy Stewie! 

Stewie has also managed to over do it on some days, some definitely worse than others and we have put him back on total bed rest and under out vets suggestions, put Stewie back on his Gabapentin for a few days, just to help him rest. Stay well Otis, please dont give your Mum any more worries than she already has for you! You did great with the massage, glad that helps!

Thanks for sharing that great article. I think in the case with Stewie’s ears, it is definitely food based and I always know when he has been fed too many of his (bad) tasty, smelly treats! Especially after a visit with his Aunty! 😉 

I see that this vet also suggests using a qtip and cotton swab, “assuming that you are gentle” but as I mentioned and in my opinion only along with my experiences, it really does come back to whether a dog is being cooperative or not, I mean, it hurts right if we poke ourselves wrong, never mind our pups! All our pups are different and as I said about Stewie, he makes my life very easy, but he wasnt always like that with his ears. Prior to coming to us, he had to be put to sleep in order to deal with his ear infections. They used to get really bad. But once he came to us, we changed his food up to Orijen brand and it definitely agrees with him and his ears a whole lot better. Just not those 💩 treats! 😉

Take care Camille, again, I’m sorry for the 💩 confirmation! 🙁

Petra and Stewie.

Hi Camille and Otis,

Just checking in to see how you are doing and how Otis is feeling. I hope everything is going smoothly for you finally and you're both able to get some rest. 

Hugs,

Jackie and Huckleberry ❤️

I'm glad his ears are better, sorry his legs are feeling strained. I think you're right, massage and therapy will probably work wonders for him. The exercises they teach help build core strength and balance. Huck is so much smaller, he's also young and was in good physical shape generally because he was feral and quick. I haven't had to deal with strain, he is so limber and acts like he's always had just three legs. The runners that I got definitely help his traction . I see a big difference between that and when he walks on smooth floors. I hope he feels better soon.

Jackie and Huck ❤️