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My dog's chronic ear, paw, and eye problems won't go away. Help!

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Large (61lb +) | Male | neutered | 8 years and 1 month old | 130 lbs

My 130 lb lab has been plagued w/ear infections for the last yr. Also licking his paws open and pus in rt eye. Vet gave cephalexin and entederm. Does not work. This time vet says he has fungal infect. Ceph and entederm and ketoconazol 200 mg. Plus eye vetropolycin. 1 month later, and still the same symptoms. What should I do now?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on April 12th, 2017

I'm sorry Lucian is having such problems with ear infections! Unfortunately, they can be chronic problems, causing frustration in the owner due to the fact it isn't resolving. I would take him back into the vet, and have ear cytology done if it hasn't been done before. This laboratory test will diagnose what is growing in Lucian's ear causing the infection so that the correct medication can be given to treat it. There is a surgery that can be done for dogs who have chronic ear infections called a total ear canal ablation and lateral bulla osteotomy (TECA LBO). This involves removing the outer ear canal and while it cures ear infections permanently, it does leave the dog deaf in that ear. I'm not sure if that's something you may want to pursue, so talk about ear cytology first with your vet.

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    I should mention as well that if he's licking his paws open, he could be suffering from allergies. Discuss with the vet blood tests to see if he's suffering from allergies, and he may benefit from antihistamines, steroids. or Apoquel if he is suffering from them.

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