Cocker Spaniels and ear infections

[2disneyboys]

We have always had various types of dogs over the years, however we have a cocker spaniel that has constant ear infections. I know (now) that this breed is prone to ear problems, it just seems we are constantly taking her to the vet for diagnos,treatment or followup. Is there something u have found that helps? Any advice or recommendations would be appreciated.

 

[clh2]

We had neighbors that had a cocker with ear problems. They had a similar story as you.

We had a vet move to our specific area - and they decided to try the vet a couple of miles away. The new vet actually did some sort of culture...and prescribed a different type of antibiotics. Cleared up the ear infections once and for all.

Apparently the antibiotic the old vet used never really cleared up the infection, as it wasn't specific to the infection.

The 2nd vet was more expensive than the old vet - based on the one office visit...HOWEVER - since that infection was "done" - they saved a ton by not repeatedly going back to the other vet.

 

[Shanna-like-Banana]

Any type of dog with heavy full, hairy ears will be prone to infection.

Pretty much all spaniels breeds have that problem. We have always had English Springer Spaniels and they too have the same ear infection problem.

The biggest thing is clean them. Clean their ears with ear cleaner you can get from the vet. It's a bottle of solution you soak a few cotton balls with in, place it in their ear, close their ear flap and rub. They love it, you will be amazed at the stuff that come out of there.

Also, when possible, fold their ears back to allow air in.

Epecially after baths and weekly ear cleaning, we use a hair tie and pull our dogs ears back to let them really air out and get dry.

 

[100AcreWood]

We had two cockers and they were constantly getting infected ears! The only thing that we could do for preventative measures was to buy ear cleaner for dogs and keep their ears cleaned out. It was a mess. I had to take them outside and pour the cleaner in their ear, massage the ear and then use kleenex to clean inside their ears. It was stinky but that's what the vet suggested. Poor dogs would rub their ears along the carpet for 20 minutes after. They hated feeling that solution in their ears.

I hope you find a fix!

 

[TiggerMomNine]

I don't have spaniels, but I do have a German Shepherd mix who gets ear infections every summer. We did the whole vet thing - at about $100 each time. Finally, I searched on the web for a better solution.

Apple cider vinegar. I soak a couple of cotton balls in the vinegar, take the dog outside, put the cotton balls in her ear, and massage for a minute or so. Then, take a BIG step back, let the dog shake, and retrieve the cotton balls. When her ears are really bad, I do it twice a day. Then only once a day to maintain, during the warm season.

It works for us.

 

[lisajl]

They are prone to infections. But, I would suggest a culture, too.
Then maybe a food trial. Sometimes it is the food that makes things worse.
You would want to try a protein your dog has not eaten. Something like duck or venison. That may help as well.
If you are going to get an ear cleaner, buy it from your vet. Epi-otic is a great product.

 

[aprilgail2]

I use the ear cleaner from the vet but usually at least once a year he will get infected- and if its not caught early he needs to be knocked out and his ears totally cleaned out- to the tune of about 300+ dollars each time- then add in the culture and antibiotics and whatever else that visit is usually aroudn 500.00 when all is said and done. But if they don't culture it then its really just a guess as to what medicine they are giving you and it may or may not work!

 

[njsweetP]

I have a Cockapoo that used to get ear infection a lot when he was younger (he's 9 now). Now he gets them about 2x a year. I've been using this product with great success:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0025YOJXS/ref=oh_o03_s00_i00_details

 

[GoofyforDisney3]

After reading these stories I am realizing just how blessed that my fur baby Abby had only 1 ear issue in her 15 years.
We did clean her ears with a vinegar and rubbing alcohol solution. Squirt some in the ear, massage the ear and then wipe as much off/out as possible. She HATED it and would run and hide if she even thought we were getting that bottle out.
I miss my Absagail.

 

[tuckerkeys]

OP, you have got some good advice from this thread!

Here's what works for me...

Get a hair clipper, one from walmart for humans for @ 14.99 is fine. Use it without the attachment & trim the hair all under your dogs ears and on the ear flap. Air circulation is key to dry up any moisture that gets trapped in the ears

Switch to a GRAIN FREE dog food. Yes, it is costly. BUT I have found, with my goldens, that they get the itchies and a lot of ear infections when they were on food that had corn and a lot of additives in it....There are many many different options out there. Costco has an excellent grain free kirkland brand dog food we are currently on & it doesn't break the bank.

Fish Oil pills & Flax seed oil (or pills) Not only is this healthy for your dogs heart & skin/coat, but, it aids in the health of your dogs ears. I use fish oil pills from costco ( my golden gets 3 a day in her food ) and flax seed that I shake onto her food as well, and sometimes I use the flax seed oil from a bottle. I get the flax seed from my local supermarket, when they have the vitamin & supplement 50% off sale..... You can use human grade fish oil & flax seed oil, it is exactly the same as the expensive "dog" ones.... Most dogs gobble them right up when included in their food...

GOOD LUCK!! Oh, one other thing I do is basically keep the ear infection medication ( and ear wash ) in the house at all times. When I do go to the vets I ask for refills, so I don't need to go running to the vets office & get hit with an office visit EVERY TIME we get an ear infection...By now you know what they look like & how to treat it!!

 

[borgthe]

My lab used to get constant ear infections when she was about 2ish. We got her the surgery, called a bilateral zep. They remove some of the ear so air can more easily get in the ear. The ear doesn't look weird or anything after it heals. You can't tell anything was taken. She hasn't had an infection since and she is almost 13 now.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Check *this* out. So far our cocker hasn't had any ear problems *had him about a year* it's super dry here so maybe that helps... I'll whip up a batch of that to clean his ears every once in a while though.

 

[MichiganKris]

Most likely repeated infections are caused by moisture getting caught in the ear (unless it's an allergy). With my dogs I buy the old brown Listerine and squirt that into their ear and then dry with cotton balls or q-tips, once a day with an infection, then once it's cleared up about once a week. This has worked better for me than any of the cleaners I have gotten from the vet (and it was recommended by a vet that bred labs). I have told many people about this over the years and it has worked for almost all of the dogs.

 

[Evi]

I had a cocker for over 16 years. She constantly had ear problems. This is what worked for me. Treat the ear infection with medication. Clean your pets ears every night have your vet teach you how to do this properly since you need to get the solution in the ear canal and get it back out with cotton squares or paper towels. When you give your pet a bath make a ball out of cotton and block the ear passage so water doesn't get in ear.

Once you get the ear infection under control you should be able to clean ear passage with a solution wet cotton ball every day and do a deeper cleaning a few times a week. This should prevent a repeat of the serious infection. Always use the cotton balls in the ear for showers remember your not pushing them in deep just blocking the outer area from water going in.

Once I mastered proper ear cleaning she never got ear infections again. Also take the time to brush your cocker for 5 mins everyday.

 

[ceecee]

My lab used to get them twice a year. We switched her to a grain free food and she hasn't had one in 5 years. The food costs more, but the ear infections were $120 vet bill and her ears had this black crud in them all the time.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Our cocker & mini schnauzer eat raw chicken.... check out the BARF diet for dogs. Look at this cute cocker eating a chicken thigh.

 

[LSUDis]

With all of your experience, you probably already know this, but make sure that it is not ear mites.