Ear Infection

[Anthony]

Hey there,

My Dwarf, Louis developed a tumour on Christmas Day. We took him to the vets as soon as possible (28th) and there was nothing they could do for him really. He is still hanging in there - after being told the next 48 hours were critical. But the tumour, 1 month on, still isn't effecting his daily life. He is still loving life.

He has always had a problem with his ear (he even has a scar and no hair on the ear because of previous infections), but he's developed another ear infection. The vets give his Aurizon (sp?) to help, but this doesn't help. Today when I was doing his 2 daily ear clean found that his ear was worse than usual, there was a white solid there. I think this may be the Aurizon which dried up? (Much like the way Baytril dries up). The vets said I could bring him in for a anti-biotic needle, but I don't think I want to put him through a needle. He is already in a mood with me today because I cleaned his ear good and it really really hurts him. His ear (it sticks together) once we put a little bit of water on it to clean, comes apart and gives out a awful smell too, but again this doesn't seem to bother him unless I'm cleaning it.

My rats are on Baytril, so I give Louis 0.02 of Baytril today to help with the pain. He was on Baytril when we brought him home (he had a ear and scent gland infection that was brought on because he had mites for 4-6 months when he was in the P@H adoption tank which they didn't treat...) and that helped a lot, so I'm hoping that will help now.

Should I continue giving him the baytril and see if it helps for a little while? I really don't feel comfortable taking him to the vets again. The tumuor hasn't grown but has moved a little bit and is pushing his shoulder blade a little bit. His front paw is a little bit 'bent' *BUT* He is in no pain or discomfort! I'm worried that when they see that they'll tell us to have him PTS for some reason. But I know he's not ready yet. He still loves life and the tumour is still not effecting him and yeah.

Any advice? Should I continue with the Baytril and the Aurizon together?


Cheers,
Anthony