"Alex Madden, a 3 year old neutered male English Springer, was presented for a
second opinion for a chronic yeast infection of both ears.He had been treated with an omega 3 fatty acid, anti-inflammatories, and a prescription ear medication with only
moderate success. As soon as he went off the medication the otitis reoccurred. Ear surgery had been suggested. Examination revealed swollen, painful and
inflamed ear canals with moderate black exudate. A cytology confirmed a yeast infection.
Further history revealed that he also frequently licked his front feet
and fore limbs and had occasionally itchy skin. All of these symptoms occurred year round. He had been on various high quality commercial diets all of his life.
These findings made us suspicious of an allergic component to his problems. A food allergy was high on our list of differentials.
Alex was treated with a twice a week gently foaming wash and a
drying flush, as well as a conofite and steroid ear drop. In addition he was placed on a 2 month trial diet of Purina CNM-HA; a short chain amino acid soy-based hypoallergenic diet.
Within 4 weeks the ears were noticeably improved and the steroid removed from the treatment. In 2 months with no ear medication his
ears were normal. Alex was switched to a less expensive Salmon & Rice hypoallergenic diet 3 months after presentation and his ears immediately flared up again. He was placed back on Purina
CNM-HA and his ears became normal, thus proving the food allergy component to his condition. Even though Alex's food bills are a bit higher, he is much happier with no itchy ears or skin and no ear
medications.
