She was diagnosed with allergies a few months ago and takes Zyrtec once a day. It appears to be helping but the excessive and impulsive behavior is still ongoing to a point. She tends to lose track of reality during the behavior episodes.
Last night she came to my husband in a panic because she had been scratching her inside ear until it had started bleeding. He did a flush on her ear and it has calmed the scratching down a bit but I can tell it's still bothering her
It sounds like your dog is experiencing significant discomfort with her ears, which could be indicative of an ear infection. The symptoms you're describing—redness, sensitivity, itching, and head shaking—are quite common in such cases. Ear infections in dogs can be caused by bacteria, yeast, or mites, and they often require specific treatment.
Given that she has been scratching to the point of bleeding, it's crucial to keep the area clean to prevent further infection. You can gently clean the outer part of her ear with a damp cloth, but be careful not to insert anything into the ear canal. While over-the-counter ear cleansers for dogs can help maintain ear hygiene, they won't be effective in treating an existing infection.
Considering her history of allergies, it's possible that her ear issues are related to allergic reactions. Allergies can cause inflammation, making the ears more susceptible to infections. While Zyrtec may help with general allergy symptoms, it might not be sufficient to address an active ear infection.
Given the severity of her symptoms and the distress they are causing her, I strongly recommend visiting a veterinarian as soon as possible. A vet can properly diagnose the issue, clean her ears thoroughly, and prescribe the appropriate medication, such as antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs, if needed. This will help alleviate her discomfort and prevent the condition from worsening.
If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask. Thank you.
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