Chronic ear infections in dogs are very common and can be caused by an underlying allergy (food allergy or environmental allergy), seborrhea (a disorder which causes excess production of ear wax), foreign material in the ear canals, autoimmune diseases, ear polyps or growths, hormonal diseases (such as low thyroid levels), or middle ear infections. In addition, there are some predisposing factors that make some dogs ears more likely to develop chronic ear problems such as pendulous ears, narrowed ear canals, excessive moisture or humidity, and trauma to the ear canal. The first step in managing ear problems is an examination deep into the ear canals, sometimes this needs to be performed under sedation or anesthesia because the dog is so painful. Samples can be taken for cytology to determine what kind of microbes are present, culture to determine which bacteria and if it is sensitive to the antibiotics being given, and examination of the ear canals for foreign bodies and abnormal growths and the ear drums, which are sometimes ruptured because of the chronic infection. Once the type of infection has been determined and the underlying causes have been ruled out with deep examination and testing, treatment with long term oral antibiotics, oral anti-fungal medications (if a yeast infection is present), and topical ear medications can be started. Flushing the ear canal with a medicated ear wash at home is often recommended periodically to remove the discharge from the ear as well as a topical ointment administered once or twice a day. If the ear drum has ruptured, most topical ear mediations cannot be used until it grows back (which can take several weeks). If the infection has entered the middle ear, that is sometimes a source of chronic or recurrent infection and long-term oral antibiotics are needed to clear the deep infection. Cortisone injections can help reduce the redness, swelling and inflammation in the ear canals as well as help minimize the effects of allergies, but have some side effects if given on a chronic basis. Other allergy medications such as antihistamines or cyclosporine (Atopica) are preferable for long term allergy control. Sometimes, in severe chronic cases, the only solution that works is surgery. There are a few different kinds of surgery that can be performed. Dogs have very long curved ear canals, which is one reason why they are difficult to clean and treat. The less invasive surgery involves removing the upper part of the ear canal leaving only a short horizontal ear canal heading to the eardrum. This allows more airflow to the inside of the ear canal and makes it easier to treat because the canal is shorter and more accessible. The more invasive surgery, usually reserved for end-stage mineralized and painful ear canals, involves removing the entire ear canal and cleaning out the middle ear cavity.  [less]

Potty training is stressful for most people, and small dogs seem to have a more difficult time of it, but rest assured it can be done! First, make sure to never leave the dog unattended in the house. In fact, you may want to put a leash on him and attach it to your waist so that wherever you go, he goes in the house as well. Take him outside every few hours in the area you want him to go potty and stand there with him on leash and wait. Be sure to not talk to him or interact with him in any way. He will eventually urinate or defecate, and when he does, give him lots of love and affection and a yummy treat. Then you can walk back into the house together or release him off the leash to play outside. If you repeat this process, eventually you will not have to tether him to your side anymore in the house because the positive reinforcement he receives for going outside will solidify his training. If he does have an accident in the house, don’t say anything or punish him, which could just cause him to fear or resent you, just go back to putting him on the leash and praise the positive. It is absolutely ok to have an outdoor only dog because the weather here is so nice. In Southern California, fleas are a part of our lives every year, all year long. There are less of them in the winter months but they do live through the winter because it stays warm all through the winter. And it is always easier to prevent a flea infestation with the topical monthly flea medications than to treat a big flea problem. Even though you don’t see fleas on the other dog, rest assured, they are there. It may be easier to see them on this dog because Yorkies do not have a dense undercoat. It is important to treat all the dogs in the environment to get the best flea control. You can also spray the yard and the house as well because only 1% of the fleas live on the dog (the adults), all of the other stages (egg, larvae, cocoon) live in the environment and are not affected by the flea control on the dog. In other words, all those fleas would have to hatch from their eggs, grow up to be adults, jump on the dogs, get the medication and die. This process could take several months if it is the only way you are treating the infestation. You can also call a company to come treat your yard and house which may help speed up the process.  [less]

What you describe does sound typical of Feline Hyperesthesia Syndrome. This is a condition which is a series of behaviors in which the cats fur on its back will roll it may vocalize and self mutilate biting the back end pulling the fur out and lick excessively The cat may also urinate or defecate or even have a seizure in severe cases. The cause for this can be a variety of different things including an allergy to flea bites, muscle pain spinal pain seizures or a behavioral condition. The first step is always to attempt to identify the underlying cause if possible. If there is a flea allergy even 1 or 2 flea bites can cause symptoms. If a flea allergy or other skin allergy is identified it can be managed or treated with medication and the hyperesthesia symptoms should stop. If the syndrome is being caused by muscle or spinal pain pain relievers may be necessary to help her improve. Sometimes anti-epileptic drugs are effective if this is caused by a neurological or seizure disorder. Finally if no underlying cause is identified and it is determined to be a behavioral disorder% there are some calming behavioral medications to which some cats will respond. You can also work with the cat to desensitize her to human contact if she does have a behavioral issue. This may also be necessary for successful treatment if an underlying cause is not identified. You can do this by pairing very minimal contact with positive reinforcement. For example find a cat treat that she really loves feed her the treat while you gently touch her for just one second. Try to touch her in a place that is not as sensitive avoid the back or the spine Gradually work up to more and more contact as she becomes more comfortable at each step. You may find that she eventually will tolerate human contact much more readily even if she never becomes a snuggler  [less]