| 0417Singapore
dog pus in ear canals, purulent otitis externa, pet health and welfare educational for animal lovers,
excerpts from The
Glamorous Vets, Singapore, sponsored by AsiaHomes Internet.
April 26, 2002 Never judge a book by its cover - The Schnauzer bit the vet He looked gentle and was happy wagging his tail as he stood on the examination table. Like most Schnauzers. "Does he bite if I touch his ears to examine them?" I asked Mr Ho. I was now a hardened veteran of dog bites over the years. Mr Ho seemed surprised that I asked such a silly question. Some Singaporean clients do think that the vet is a Doctor Dolittle who speaks to all animals and is liked by them. A great magician, fearless and has super powers over all four legged patients. Best of all, immune to dog bites or know how to ward off lightning canine or feline dental snips. A vet worried about dog bites is not a good vet! I did not know what Mr Ho thought though. Mr Ho said that his Schnauzer does bite and muzzled the dog with a black polyester muzzle which was not easy to put on with all the clips and velcro strip. The design of this muzzle was such that the front of the dog's mouth and nose was exposed. It would assure dog lovers that the dog could breathe but it could still bite if the muzzle was loose. This muzzle was larger than usual and the dog could snap at me anytime. I was not taking chances. I had my own trusty cloth muzzle which ensured that the dog could not snap at my fingers as the front end was closed (see picture below). The dog now resisted muzzling. He knew what was going on and wanted to escape from the clutches of human beings. Mr Ho could not restrain him now. This was a simple case of purulent otitis externa, but it was not a simple treatment. Nurse Ann had to cover the dog's head with a thick towel while I injected the tranquiliser and pain killer into his back muscle. I had to pluck his ear hairs and irrigate the ear canals which were full of slippery yellow pus. This was an unusual case in that the ear discharge was not smelly at all. I had not thought of asking Mr Ho whether the dog was under antibiotics and he did not tell me until I asked about the dog needing ear irrigation to clear the choked canals and that it would. Mr Ho then mentioned that the Schnauzer had seen another veterinarian. He said: "The vet was pissed off after being bitten by my dog. He gave injections and four kinds of medication and there was no ear drops given. My dog's ears improved subsequently while on medication." "What did the veterinarian do and prescribed?" I asked Mr Ho who was present with his aged parents. They had adopted this middle-aged dog with painful ears. Never judge a book by its cover. It must be very painful for the poor animal doctor. I could feel the instant pain as the sharp canines or fangs dug into the doctor's fingers. Blood would oozed out and it was no fun being bitten. I used my muzzle which gave confidence that I would not be bitten. Dogs do bite even under tranquilisation. By reflex action to pain. The pain must be intense as the dog struggled to get away from me while I plucked his ear hairs. Sticky, mucoid yellow matted hairs on the ear flap or pinnae. The ear canals were remarkably free of hairs. Most hairs would have their roots killed by the long standing pus and infection.
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