I have yet another pet post. It seems to be my month for pet issues.

Chewy is our almost 5 year old beagle. Most of you know him, some of you were even here to see puppy pictures when we first got him. Well, he's growing up, getting older, and he's having a few issues.

Number one is always his ears. He's a long eared dog, and because of that he's constantly battling ear infections. We clean his ears daily, and at least once every 2 months he's back at the vet because we need more drops. Well, he's battling a particularly evil ear infection right now, and the drops aren't working. We haven't gone back to the vet because she never prescribes anything but the same drops she always prescribes. I did try to get more, without an appointment, and they refused. So we're using other products for his ears, and even though he still has issues, the creams and stuff we're using are working better than the drops ever did. The infections is clearing up, but it is still there. It's his right ear..

But this thread isn't about his ears, I just mention it in hopes that it's connected to his eye.

Today, when I was cleaning his ears, I noticed that his left eye has a film over it. The whole eye has that film, like the film from bubble solution. You know, when you blow bubbles, there's that shimmery rainbow film? Well that's what it looks like. There's also a thicker white film on 1/4 of the eye starting in the inner corner. At first I thought it was because he just woke up, then my daughter mentioned that she had noticed it for a few days. That eye is also redder than normal (he has always had redder eyes, it's a beagle thing I'm told by the vet).

He was having a hard time opening the eye, like it hurts too much to open it.

I'm not looking for a diagnosis, you all know me better than that, he will be going to the vet, but if I can get a few ideas before I go, so it won't be too much of a shock if it's something bad, I'd like to hear any thoughts about what this could be.

I should add, the last few nights he's been very whiny, crying at 3am, not as social. We figured he just had to go potty during the night, and sure enough when we get up to let him out, he goes. But now I'm wondering if the crying is related to the eye, and pain. :(

Any thoughts?

If you have any questions, please ask. I know I may have left information out, that's easy to do when you're upset and stressed out.

A beagle eye problem on Pet WebMD --

"Film over the eye. An opaque or whitish membrane that moves out over the surface of the eyeball from the inner corner of the eye is a protruded nictitating membrane. Causes are discussed under Nictitating Membrane."

The Nictitating Membrane (Third Eyelid) in Dogs--Cherry Eye (http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/nictitating-membrane-third-eyelid-dogs)

Thanks WG. I already have that link pulled up, it was the first place I checked. But thanks for the info.

He's always had the protruding membrane, it's a beagle trait. He's not as bad as most beagles I've seen. But this time it's different. His eyelid definitely isn't sunken, if anything it's protruding. I'm guessing glaucoma. :(

Rod just came home, and he bought very expensive eyewash. Chewy almost groaned a sigh of relief when Rod put it in his eye.

Do any of the dog experts have any advice? I know dogs, but medical issues I'm not so sure of, I'm better at behavioral issues. I can Google, so I really don't need a link, I've already looked at all of them.

I'm really looking for someone that can tell me the possibilities of what's going on, from actual knowledge they have, not anything found online. Lucky? Bella? Shazzy? Where are my dog experts? :(

You know me and Epsom salts. I'd do a salt wash until you can get seen by the vet, might need anti biotic. Also the eye and the ear are connected, think sinus infection, which it sounds like he has

I hit submit instead of enter lol, what I meant to say was he has some sort of infection. Sorry! Are you using canestin or another yeast infection cream? Any chance you have coconut oil on hand?

I don't have much else re: the eyes except that see what your vets say. I wouldn't mess around too much with eyes, honestly.
In regards to his ears - has he had his thyroid checked lately?

I hit submit instead of enter lol, what I meant to say was he has some sort of infection. Sorry! Are you using canestin or another yeast infection cream? any chance you have coconut oil on hand?

Thank you Bella. I can get coconut oil. I'll have to get the bottle to tell you what ear drops he's using.

I really felt that the ear infection and the eye infection could be connected, even though it's opposite ear and eye that are having issues.

With the epsom salts, how would I do that?

I don't have much else re: the eyes, but in regards to his ears - has he had his thyroid checked lately?

He actually has, on his last appointment when he got his shots. He's all good for thyroid. :)

I'm really looking for someone that can tell me the possibilities of what's going on, from actual knowledge they have, not anything found online. Lucky? Bella? Shazzy? Where are my dog experts? :(
Now you're saying who can and cannot respond? Hmmmmm. ;)

Bella and Shazzy rarely are on site. Lucky is often here in the evening. Sariss might show up too later.

***ADDED Yay, Sariss!! And Bella!!

He actually has, on his last appointment when he got his shots. He's all good for thyroid. :)

Darn. That often times is a cause for ear infections.

When is he going in? I wouldn't mess around too much with eyes. My guess would be keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye), but that is a literal guess.

Also question re: His ears (cause I'm curious) - what is he usually sent home with? Does he have any medication to give as maintenance?

I use a few tbs of salt to warm water and soak a wash cloth and just gently soak and wipe his eye. If you do the other eye, use a separate cloth all together, and it wouldn't hurt to even wipe out his ears with the epsom salt. As far as the coconut oil, it is known to help fight off bacterial infections and viruses, so you could also rub this in his ears, it's also has antibiotic qualities, as does unpasteurized honey. I would even go as far as to rub some UP honey on his ears and let it sit for as long as you can and then wipe clean.

Also question re: His ears (cause I'm curious) - what is he usually sent home with? Does he have any medication to give as maintenance?

The bottle is a bit banged up. It's Surolan, and then for maintenance Burrow's otic solution.

I use a few tbs of salt to warm water and soak a wash cloth and just gently soak and wipe his eye. If you do the other eye, use a seperate cloth all together, and it wouldn't hurt to even wipe out his ears with the epsom salt. As far as the coconut oil, it is known to help fight off bacterial infections and viruses, so you could also rub this in his ears, it's also has antibiotic qualities, as does unpasteurized honey. I would even go as far as to rub some UP honey on his ears and let it sit for as long as you can and then wipe clean.

I will definitely try that.

I'm getting tired of medications the vet prescribes that doesn't work worth a darn, and costs me hundreds of dollars.

I can actually get the epsom salts at Dollarama. :) The coconut oil, I'm not sure where to start looking.

You can get good cco at walmart or superstore, but let me warn you it's pricey, BUT it will last you forever. And it's also used in weight management. If you Google cco you will see all the amazing things it is good for. I am turning all crunchy! After E was on those heavy steroids
I started getting worried. So I turned to more organic natural ways to help. You should see Lady's coat now since I have been putting the cco in her food too.

And not to mention, the natural way is SO much cheaper, and the things humans can use are also great for dogs and cats! :)

And not to mention, the natural way is SO much cheaper, and the things humans can use are also great for dogs and cats! :)

That's what I'm hoping.

I'm not happy with the vet right now, especially because of the ear issues. Every time we go in they insist on swabs (here's $100), tests (I'll just give you another $100), flushing the ear (Oh, here's $50 for that), only to be sent home with the same stupid medication he's gotten (that never works) since he was a puppy.

It's bull. Then, when I run out of the medication, and he has yet another ear infection, they won't even let me buy a bottle, I have to make an appointment ($100 just for them to say he needs the same medication he's always been given, and that's if they don't try to milk me for the swabs, the flushing, etc).

I'm trying to find more natural ways of helping, but now he has this eye issue. The thing is, he has this eye issue despite being on the meds the vet has always prescribed, so right now I'm thinking all natural is the way to go. It can't hurt, it's not like the vet is helping anyway.

Still, I do have an appointment for Thursday, because I really can't risk it. What if it's something worse? What if he needs surgery? I can't take that risk. So I guess no matter what, I'm stuck dishing out hundreds and hundreds of dollars and never having a completely healthy dog. :(

Ya, I'm a bit bitter.

I hope something gives. You deserve a break. UP honey is cheaper than cco, so if you read up on that you will see how great that is for natural remedies too. It's also an antibiotic, along with a bunch of other great stuff too. I swear by the stuff. I had chronic acne and at 29 I was desperate to try anything. I smear that honey all over my fave and I have the best complexion I have never really had! Lol

I hope something gives. You deserve a break. UP honey is cheaper than cco, so if you read up on that you will see how great that is for natural remedies too. it's also an antibiotic, along with a bunch of other great stuff too. I swear by the stuff. I had chronic acne and at 29 I was desperate to try anything. I smear that honey all over my fave and I have the best complexion I have never really had! lol

I'm willing to try shark pee if it would help. Hard to come by shark pee, but you know I'd do anything for my animals, so if I have to swim the ocean and confront a great white, and ask for a urine sample, I'll give it a try. ;)

I told Rod about the coconut oil. Apparently he tried to find it a while back, and had a hell of a time,but he didn't check Walmart, because he didn't think they'd have it. He's going to check tomorrow. I'll get him to check for the honey too. :)

Thanks so much Bella. I just don't need all this crap. I'm thinking about putting the coconut oil, or honey on Oreo's belly too, on the growth. Can't hurt.

These pets have got to stop. I can handle one at a time getting sick, but this month has been nuts. :(

Here is my beef with ear infections and lazy vets.

First of all, every time the dog comes back with a flare up of an ear infection, it should be swabbed and looked at. Not too long ago, the vet and I caught a pretty bad ear infection that was being treated with the same medicine every single time the dog came into their former vet for more drops. The owner said it was a major yeast infection.. in reality it was a major bacterial infection with SOME yeast. We treated the dog with a different medicine both in pill form and ear drop form.

I doubt the ears and eyes are the same.

An eye that appears dry and has a crusty, thick discharge and dry appearance.. I think of Chronic dry eye. Smaller dogs are prone to it, but any dog can get it.

He could also have a plugged tear duct.

A basic conjunctivitis.. pink eye.. is possible.. which would explain the swelling of the 3rd membrane and red appearance. Conjunctivitis is painful and can cause the eye to dry up a bit.

Oh and I have long eared dogs and they don't have ear infections :P Some breeds are more prone to it than others.

I'm not Lucky, Bella, Shazzy BUT I have had eye and ear problems with my dogs. One of my labs had to have surgery to open up, clean out his ear canal because no matter what we did his ear infections kept coming back. My GSD has had at least two ear infections a year since the day I got her - but she's been infection clear for the past year, a record for her, without rhyme or reason.

As far as eyes - your description is how my GSD's eye looked before the lower membrane began to bulge. In her case it's a damaged nerve, and the eye clouds over and clears up on a "who knows" basis.

I also went straight to a Vet who specializes in eye problems. She wasn't cheap BUT she did in one visit but my Vet couldn't accomplish in 5. Yes, 5.

I don't know if there are specialists in your area, but I have found them to be well worth the money.

Let me know how the shark pee works out for you - I have this rash...

Shark pee? Lol!

Just to clarify I didn't mean they were the same, but yes, they can be connected :) Of course humans are different, but when ever I get a sinus infection my ears get infected as well as my eyes -- pink eye -- Which is not from poop in the as my 5 year old proceeds to tell me ;)

When I first got Lady her ears and eyes were all infected and it was treated by one pill. Vet said most likely a sinus infection. Anyway, I can't diagnose, I was just offering different, organic suggestions on what's helped me and my fam lately.

I could take a million guesses or a long list of what it could be, but it's not going to help her in the end.

Thanks everyone. Judy, I'll look into a specialty vet. We're just sick of the constant ear infections. As soon as one clears up, he gets another, and the vet always gives us the same drops that never work long term. Our poodle had constant ear infections too, and it wasn't until we went to a different vet (can't remember what he prescribed as I was only 14 at the time) that he finally got over it.

Bella, I know you can't diagnose, and believe me, I'm not looking for a diagnosis. I know I need to go to the vet for that, and we are going to go no matter what. But I thank you for all the suggestions, and I'm most definitely going to give them a try. Truth told, I'd much rather go holistic than trust the crap that's prescribed. I do believe that most of our ailments, and dogs ailments, can be treated naturally, it's just easier to go to the vet and get a bottle of man made medication, than it is to try and find something natural that works. But now that I have options, I'm definitely giving them a try.

Lucky, thanks for posting. I didn't even think of pink eye. Rod got an eye wash last night and we've used it twice so far. Chewy's eye is looking much better already. I'm now wondering if he just had something in his eye, and the eye wash washed it out. I'm hoping that's the case.

He goes to the vet tonight, so we'll see what the vet says. Crossing my fingers I don't have to sell one of my children to pay for this visit. ;)

I'm not interested in buying one of your children but I MIGHT be interested in buying Rod.

Let me know -

I'm not interested in buying one of your children but I MIGHT be interested in buying Rod.

Let me know -

Why would you want a slightly pudgy, balding, lazy, messy, 42 year old man?

He is handy at fixing things, and he's got a great sense of humor, but really, in the long run, you'd be better off with one of the kids. They can still be taught. ;)

Wait a minute. What am I saying? How much are you offering? ;)

Why would you want a slightly pudgy, balding, lazy, messy, 42 year old man?

He is handy at fixing things, and he's got a great sense of humor, but really, in the long run, you'd be better off with one of the kids. They can still be taught. ;)

Wait a minute. What am I saying? How much are you offering? ;)
Or she might be happy just with the fish.

How good is he at fixing things? For example, could he repair deck railings?

How good is he at fixing things? For example, could he repair deck railings?

He could build you a whole new deck, and it would be an awesome deck. The only problem is, he's all gung ho when he starts, and then fizzles out. He's been repairing my deck for... hmmm... this summer will be year 2. He tore down the stairs! He's a great starter, and when he finishes the work he does is great, but getting him to finish what he started, takes a lot of work.

The fish can't fix anything but they're pretty, and I'll deliver, as soon as I get my passport. Hmmmm, you, I've been talking about my passport for how many years now? Maybe I'm not such a great finisher either. :(

Here's an update on Chewy.

We've been using the eye wash Rod bought and his eye is now fine. I'm thinking that there was something in it that got flushed with the eye wash and I over reacted.

We did go to the vet, she looked at his eye and did say it was a bit red, but other than that she didn't see a problem with it and did agree that the eye wash probably washed out any irritant that was causing the issue I noticed.

She swabbed his ears again, and again gave us the same drops we always get, the Surolan.

Well, we decided to try the epsom salts, UP honey and coconut oil instead. It's been almost two days now, we're using the epsom salts and UP honey, but have yet to find coconut oil anywhere. But, in just two applications of the honey his ears are already noticeably better. In fact, if I hadn't seen it myself I wouldn't have believed it. His ears are healing, he's not itching as much, and I'm in shock.

Bella, thank you so much for your suggestion. He's on the road to recovery, and I have no doubt that that's what will happen. The change in just two uses is amazing! Why don't more people know about this?

Oh, he is a bit sticky, after all it's honey, but I don't care! It's so worth a sticky eared dog. We're calling him our little honey badger. :)

I'll keep you posted on how it goes, but so far so great! Again Bella, thank you thank you thank you!

So does this mean I don't get Rod?

So does this mean I don't get Rod?

LOL! I think I'm going to have to keep him, he's the one that buys the honey. We need the honey.

The goldfish are still available. They don't work hard, but they're a little less messy than Rod. They're also entertaining.

I am glad it's working! If you ever go to Costco, they also sell it there, and Superstore/Sobeys sells it in their natural food isles (cco)

I am not highjacking but Brook has been making herself dizzy shaking head for one ear. Her ears are long and sometimes it looks like she may whip herself to death. Vet said no infection, I say ear mites (but is this even the season for them? ).

And by the way, she has had to have ligament attached on other leg now and goes for hydrotherapy (on a treadmill).

Typically if ear mites are present, there is dark ear wax present and they do smell a bit. An at home test... you can swab her ear with a qtip and smear the wax onto a black piece of paper.. it is said that you can see the ear mites... they're light brown.

Allergies or just plain irritation can cause a dog to shake and scratch at its ears... I know around here allergies are going haywire and lots of dogs, cats and people are suffering from itchy, dry skin... You could try just doing a soothing ear wash.. something with aloe in it would work.

@Lucky098, thank you, will try the aloe. As soon as she sees me coming with anything for her ears, she's gone !