Nasty Dog Ears

[hencrazy]

If the ears are really that bad he needs a vet. No amount of cleaning is going to clear up an infection that bad. Once you get it cleared up then you need to maintain those ears by cleaning them weekly and using an ear cleaner anytime he gets bathed or goes swimming. Don't put oil in the ears it will just help yeast grow even quicker. If the dog does have a yeast infection it is possible it could just be a fluke and he may never have a problem again with proper cleaning, or it could be allergies. Good luck! Keep us posted.

 

[FourPawz]

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Which is why the dog should ideally be seen by a vet. If a dog has bloody, gooey ears, plucking could indeed be harmful. In addition, as far as ear washes go, a witch hazel based wash will be less irritating than one based on 70% isopropyl alcohol.

The OP stated she doesn't have the funds to take the dog to a veterinarian, which would be my suggestion before anything else. The dog needs to be evaluated for why it has infected ears, in particular does it have allergies?

 

[Damummis]

I actually have to take him to the vet this week for his yearly shots and checkup. I got the reminder card yesterday.

Spike is a cow dog. His ears are not overly hairy. He does have a wheat allergy. His food is wheat free. However, I did catch him the other day in a bag of dog bones I forgot I had.

His ears are crusty with a clear crust. Think weaping eczema. I have just been keeping them clean till Wed.

 

[Hillsvale]

Purple Power Ear Solution"


•16 oz. bottle isopropyl alcohol
•4 tablespoons Boric Acid Powder
•16 drops Gentian Violet Solution

Mix all ingredients in the alcohol bottle and shake well and administer it 2 times per day for the first 2 weeks, 1 time per day for the next 2 week and 1 time per month thereafter. Fill your dog’s ear with the solution and gently massage it in. Warning though, be sure to do it outside or in a room that is not finished in the basement as the Violet Solution will stain.


We have a rescue shepherd who had such bad ears that one litterally rotted off due to lack of care. We use the above solution and it is fantastic. While I didn't read all posts one reader commented on allergies whether food or what have you is spot on.... check your dogs rear end and his pads on the feet, generally they will be red as well if its allergies.

good luck

 

[hencrazy]

Don't clean the ears for a couple days before going to the vet otherwise the doctor won't be able to get an adequate sample for the ear cytology so he/she can see what's growing in there. A few good websites to go to for ear info are www.veterinarypartner.com and www.vin.com. Look up ear hematoma which is what can happen if infected ears are left uncared for.

 

[Damummis]

Quote:
Thanks, I won't.

 

[chickensNpoodles]

WAIT.....STOP......

I have got the miracle cure for you. Go to amazon.com and by the Zymox ear treatment. I swear by this stuff. My poodle had chronic ear infections. Took her to the vet nearly every other week. I was so hopeless with all the medications and my dog still suffered. That is until I was browsing Amazon for something and saw this product. It had hundreds of great reviews so I bought some and tried it. I kid you not, within 3 days, her ears were clean, pink and odor free. My groomer was so amazed she gave me money to go online and buy some stock for her grooming shop. Now I just put it in my dogs ears once a month (she is groomed monthly) and she has no sign of infection at all. Please, for the love of your dog, please buy that product. I don't work for that company or for amazon, I am just trying to spread the word about what works. Oh and it is reasonably priced too.

 

[redhen]

Quote:
That sounds like mites to me...

 

[redhen]

Quote:
Which one? Theres lots of bottles for sale...

 

[RiverOtter]

OUCH!!!
Please don't put alcohol on raw skin, that HURTS!
If the dog has yeasty ears, rub some Monistat down into there. Oil works for ear mites, which will be black crust or sometimes clear goo with teeny black specks.
And for non-yeast ear infections if flushing with warm water with sea salt and a teeny drop of original, blue Dawn, followed by gently drying and rubbing in some Neosporin (that name brand works better then any other) doesn't start to clear it up in a couple of days then you need a stronger antibiotic from the vet.

But no alcohol on raw skin please! More and more medical studies are showing that this actually irritates more then it helps. Where it helps is to remove germs on non-open skin, by the time something is cut or oozy, saline solution is just as effective and less harmful.