I agree, he did explain the use of steriods and drawbacks. They are very potent and can cause problems - not a good thing and we are going to get the medication you recomended for Sarge. It is safer and may just take care of things. Thanks so so much.

It seems like your vet thinks steroids are the answer to everything. I looked up Mometamax and found this info--

What is Mometamax?
Mometamax treats inflammation and bacterial infections of the ear in dogs. It is a combination medication that contains a broad-spectrum antibiotic, a potent corticosteroid and an antifungal agent. Antibiotics are drugs that kill or stop the growth of bacteria. Antifungal medications kill or slow the growth of fungi and yeast. Corticosteroids are used to treat inflammation.


I guess I prefer to take a less drastic approach when I don't know what is wrong. Steroids would be my last resort. I'd try the Zymox Otic for the ears and maybe a glucosamine joint care supplement if you think his hips are bothering him.


I don't rescue animals because I want to feel better about myself, or morally superior to anyone. The best part of my life with animals is the humility they teach and the humanity the foster.
Jon Katz "Soul of a Dog"

Mometamax drops are what the doctor gave us for Sarge's ears -
I also have a Monetamax Spray for our other pup -
I wonder if that would help to spray on Sarge's rear end when he starts the spinning

The Zymox sounds like an amazing product and wonderful reviews! We will order it for sure - the vet did give us an ear antibiodic Montomax - to be used every day for Sarge and we haven't used it that way thinking that he will build a tolerance to it.
And his ears smell and look clear, no gunk in them at least the first inch or so. Maybe we should use that medication daily. We agree that the Vetalog is not a solution - the doctor was seeing if the spinning stopped - which it did - but leads to ask what is causing this to happen? As you wrote, we have to find the solution. We are thinking the worst - is the tail growing strangely into the body or something weird. My son thinks it a tumor - but his hips were xrayed last summer as he hurt his leg on the 4 day trip coming to live here, and wouldn't something show on that xray of the spine?

does he get exercise?

have you tried distraction? Maybe try a Nylabone or frozen Kong

benedryl would make him sleepy

try some diaper cream (I like A & D Ointment) under the tail and on his anus. May just be itchy.


I don't rescue animals because I want to feel better about myself, or morally superior to anyone. The best part of my life with animals is the humility they teach and the humanity the foster.
Jon Katz "Soul of a Dog"

It's got some side effects and adverse reactions you should be aware of.

Are his ears totally clear? No yellow gunk? (yeast) Itchy ears can be the cause of spinning. If there is any gunk in his ears, how about trying Zymox (over the counter ear med for dogs) once a week? I use if on my dogs and the rescues. My vet recommends it too. It's great stuff.
Here is a link. Click on it and read the reviews..

http://www.amazon.com/Zymox-Pet-Treatment-Hydrocortisone-4-Ounce/dp/B0025YOJXS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1265506604&sr=8-1


I don't rescue animals because I want to feel better about myself, or morally superior to anyone. The best part of my life with animals is the humility they teach and the humanity the foster.
Jon Katz "Soul of a Dog"

nm


I don't rescue animals because I want to feel better about myself, or morally superior to anyone. The best part of my life with animals is the humility they teach and the humanity the foster.
Jon Katz "Soul of a Dog"

it will not find the root of the cause, and that is what you really want to do. Benadryl is excellent for hives, hot spots or other short-term skin issues and certainly does not have the concerns that prednisone (steroid) does, but you still want to find out the cause.

Oh forgot to say he does get lots of walks and we have a fenced backyard. Wouldn't the Benedryl stop itching if that was causing the problem??

We've tried a few different creams, and Animax from the vet around the tail area. Sometimes we can rub his ear and he will stop - but it's just a weird thing. The vet thought maybe behavior issue - but said when he didn't spin while on the Ventalog dose for 3 weeks - that shows that it is something causing it.