>Well, nobody ever seems to respond to my posts.  Usually I don't care,
>but my husband and I are a little concerned about this so I'll try
>posting it again...
 
>Is there a reason why my 12 week old male Spike, would be sucking ears?
 
Dear Corynn:
 
Now you can't say no one responds to your posts!  Ear sucking is a fairly
common vice among mammals of all different varieties.  It is almost always
seen in young animals, and starts well before weaning.  It is simply a
nursing substitute and is done for comfort and stress alleviation.  It
has no connection with adrenal disease.
 
I can't give you a good way to break Spike of it, and most animals tend to
grow out of it.  A good cleaning of Daisy's ears daily may help decrease
the normal odor which may contribute to Spikes interest, and it also helps
you make sure that Daisy doesn't get an ear infection.
 
As problems go, though - this one is fairly minor.....
 
All the best,
Bruce Williams, dVM
[Posted in FML issue 3196]