Tackling Chronic Allergies and Ear Infections
How expert care and a personalized plan helped one dog finally find relief.
Buddy Brown is living proof that the right care team can change everything. When this 5-year-old Cockapoo came to Harmony Animal Hospital, he was struggling with chronic allergies and relentless ear infections—conditions that had taken a toll on his health and comfort. These issues are often interconnected and tricky to treat, but with a coordinated approach from Dr. Jazlyn Sharp, Dr. Molly Shelton, and Buddy’s pet parents, we got to the root of the problem. With a targeted treatment plan and ongoing support, Buddy made a remarkable turnaround—and he’s now enjoying a happier, healthier life.
Buddy’s Initial Visit
When Buddy moved from Florida in July 2024, he was still battling untreated allergies and recurring ear infections. His owner, Stewart Brown, described the challenge:
“Buddy’s a Cockapoo, and they have big floppy ears as part of their design. Ever since he was born, we’ve had to clean his ears because they hold moisture and dirt more than open ears.”
At his first visit, Dr. Jazlyn noted:
- Moderate ear infections in both ears
- Persistent paw licking
- Slightly enlarged lymph nodes
- No current allergy treatment plan
If you suspect your own dog might be experiencing similar issues, learn more about how to tell if your dog has allergies for clear signs and symptoms to watch out for.
First Steps in Treatment
We performed an ear cytology, revealing a mild bacterial infection. Our initial treatment plan included:
- Ear cleaning and steroid-antibiotic ear drops
- A take-home ear wash to clear debris
- A scheduled recheck in three weeks
Progress and Adjustments
At Buddy’s follow-up, his ear infection had improved, but mild swelling and bacteria remained. Dr. Jazlyn adjusted his treatment:
- New ear medication (Posatex) based on updated cytology
- Fine needle aspiration (FNA) of lymph nodes to rule out more serious concerns
- Continued monitoring for further changes
A Setback and a New Strategy
Two weeks later, Buddy’s ear infections persisted. Another ear cytology revealed a mixed bacterial infection, requiring a new approach:
- Oral prednisone to reduce inflammation
- Video otoscopy under anesthesia to assess deeper issues
Uncovering the Underlying Issue
Dr. Molly Shelton performed the video otoscopy, revealing:
- Ruptured eardrums due to chronic infections
- Middle ear infections causing persistent inflammation
- Severe swelling that had previously obscured the ruptures
Stewart recalled the moment they understood the severity:
“It was Dr. Molly that really showed us the extent of his ear issues. It was a lot more than just, ‘Hey, they’re dirty and hairy and yucky.’ His eardrums were red, hot, and uncomfortable. That made Buddy want to be like a den animal—just not be interactive, stay under the bed, in the closet, or out of the way because he was physically uncomfortable and couldn’t hear.”
A deep ear cleaning under anesthesia allowed the medication to work effectively. We revised his treatment to include:
- Continued Posatex eardrops
- Oral prednisone to control swelling
- Cerumine ear cleaner to enhance absorption
Addressing Allergies for Long-Term Relief
With Buddy’s ears healing, we turned to his underlying allergies. A Heska allergy blood panel identified mild sensitivities to:
- A single weed
- Malassezia yeast (a common skin allergen)
- Storage mites in pet food
To learn more about common allergies in dogs and cats, including environmental and food-related causes, visit our dedicated resource.
To manage these allergies, we:
- Recommended storing food in the freezer to prevent mite exposure
- Prescribed medicated shampoos to control yeast
- Introduced Cytopoint or Apoquel for seasonal relief
- Started a hydrolyzed diet trial for suspected food allergies
A Happy and Healthy Buddy
Several weeks later, Buddy’s transformation was remarkable:
- His eardrums had healed
- Ear canal swelling was significantly reduced
- His energy and personality returned
“He can hear again. His ears are not closed and inflamed and crazy… He’s more social now. He’s not in the den anymore. He’s playful. He’s got his puppy tendencies back.” – Stewart, Buddy’s owner
At his three-month follow-up, Buddy’s ongoing care plan included:
- Daily Apoquel for allergy control
- Ear drops reduced from daily to twice weekly
- Continued medicated shampoos and wipes
Gradual reintroduction of protein sources to pinpoint food allergens
The Harmony Difference
Buddy’s case highlights the power of thorough diagnostics, personalized treatment, and strong collaboration between veterinarians and pet owners. Stewart credits Harmony for going beyond the basics:
“The Harmony staff was very much more thorough. Other vets in our experience do not have the same resources. At Harmony, they take the time to really learn about the pet and the issue. Attention to detail—that’s the difference.”
He also emphasized the importance of commitment in a pet’s recovery:
“It’s really a partnership. It’s the doctor identifying the issue and the pet owner being responsible enough to follow through. I highlight Dr. Molly’s emails, prioritize them, and keep them on the refrigerator. I might be a little over the top, but I really wanted Buddy to get better.”
When asked why they chose Harmony, Stewart simply said:
“When we moved here, I did my homework… I visited three vets, and I knew when I came to Harmony. From the moment I walked in, I knew that was our place.”
Is Your Pet Dealing with Ongoing Allergies or Ear Infections?
Chronic allergies and ear infections don’t have to be a life sentence. With the right diagnostics, treatment, and teamwork, your pet can find real relief – just like Buddy did.
Let’s work together to create a care plan that brings your pet lasting comfort and better health.
📞 Call us at (919) 249-6601 or visit www.HarmonyAnimalHospital.net to make an appointment