Why Do Some Dogs Get Ear Infections And Others Have No Ear Problems?

[pride&joy]

It sounds like your are getting plenty of good advice, getting a culture of the ear preferably before you clean it or attempt to medicate it would be the text book answer. This will usually save you time and $ in the long run by not having to backtrack and start over. However if we where stuck on desert island with no labs to run cultures (disclaimer) I would treat ears with Otomax or something like it, it has antibiotics, antifungal and anti-inflammatory components and will treat most ear problems (at least here in FL). Make sure you use a separate cleaning/drying solution on the ears couple of times a week, specially after a bath or dog gets wet. If his problem is generalized, chewing on feet, dry skin, ears maybe allergies are an issue. I am a believer in quality dog food have used caniday for my dogs for years and have seen general improvement on the dogs but it takes time. Sorry so long winded it is just a common problem for so many dog lovers. Let us know what the Vet says.. Great luck ………….

 

[Brindlebtch]

pride&joy :

It sounds like your are getting plenty of good advice, getting a culture of the ear preferably before you clean it or attempt to medicate it would be the text book answer. This will usually save you time and $ in the long run by not having to backtrack and start over. However if we where stuck on desert island with no labs to run cultures (disclaimer) I would treat ears with Otomax or something like it, it has antibiotics, antifungal and anti-inflammatory components and will treat most ear problems (at least here in FL). Make sure you use a separate cleaning/drying solution on the ears couple of times a week, specially after a bath or dog gets wet. If his problem is generalized, chewing on feet, dry skin, ears maybe allergies are an issue. I am a believer in quality dog food have used caniday for my dogs for years and have seen general improvement on the dogs but it takes time. Sorry so long winded it is just a common problem for so many dog lovers. Let us know what the Vet says.. Great luck ………….

Yep.

What is Mometamax Otic Suspension?

Mometamax Otic Suspension is a once-a-day treatment for ear infections. It’s an advanced formula that includes a combination of medications with antibacterial (gentamicin sulfate), anti-inflammatory (mometasone), and antifungal (clotrimazole) properties. Mometamax requires a prescription from your veterinarian.
For: Dogs

Benefits:
• Treats ear infections caused by bacteria or fungus
• Also used to reduce inflammation in the ear
• Dropper bottle includes long tip, which makes administering easier and less stressful

How it works:
The ingredient gentamicin sulfate is an antibiotic that is effective against a wide array of bacteria. Clotrimazole is an antifungal agent that is used for the treatment of dermal infections caused by various species. Mometasone is a synthetic hormone that treats inflammatory skin disorders and allergic reactions that your pet may have.

Cautions:
Avoid getting Mometamax in your dog's eyes, nose or mouth.

If this didn't touch your dog's ear problem, I would definitly get it cultured.

My dogs are on TOTW, and while it did seem to help Maggie's problems to a certain degree, it by no means cleared them up.​

 

[gritsar]

I dunno Red. When we first got Jax I was constantly cleaning his ears. Vet swabbed his ears on several occasions, no infection. Decided to try the medicine anyhow and his ears cleared up.
Kane's ears remain spotless.

 

[Brindlebtch]

Good advice. Results are only as good as the lab used. But I would still get it cultured. If the results don't match the obvious problem, medicate anyway, just in case!

 

[thebritt]

If it's any help, Solomon (cocker/terrier 8 mo old) had terrible yeasty ears for months. Itchy, scabby skin, too. I switched him to TotW salmon about 1 1/2 mos ago, and his ears are fine now (we did, however, get ear drops from the vet as well, which we used up and didn't need to refill). His skin is better than it was, but the vet said it can easily take 3+ mos to see total improvement.

 

[TheSitcomGirls]

I have two full sister goldens, 2 years apart. One has no skin allergies and the other one does. She has these awful hive episodes about once or twice a year (spring and fall) where she needs prednisone and antibiotics. My vet said that those are environmental seasonal allergies. There is really nothing I can do to stop those, but at least my vet just mails me the medication now when I need it.

At least I finally have her ears and her itchy smelly skin under control. She gets Wellness Lamb. I noticed an improvement in the way she smelled after a month or so of being on the new food. She used to get Wellness Chicken.

Once a week I clip all the thick hair underneath each ear and then with really small scissors clip the hair that is actually sticking out of her ear. It helps to keep the ear from getting too warm.

Once a week I use an enzme cleaner on her ears called Pharmaseb Flush, twice a week if it's hot out.

As soon as it gets warm in the spring she gets a bath with Malaseb shampoo once a week, even if she's not acting itchy.

She will get hot spots from time to time. I clip the hair off the scab, put on some Panalogue and then Gold Bond Medicated Powder. I put the powder on a couple times a day. the hot spot usually clears up in a couple of days.

It took a while...but she's not stinky anymore (and itchy a lot less)!

 

[sourland]

I second getting the ear cultured. I have a male beagle who had chronic ear problems- had him cultured twice and have been medicating with Otomax. I could control the condition with the medication, but I could not cure it. I too switched to TOTW (using the same two brands as you). It's been about two months and his ear is now OK. Since your dog has both ear and itching problems it is quite likely that the primary factor is allergies. If you recently switched feeds, it may be too soon for the full effect to be evidenced. Hopefully with the proper meds and food change you can get him straightened out.