Kinda Gross Dog ear advice?????

[twinmomplus2new]

Ok, I have posted about my dog before... I have a 150 lb plus ST Bernard. She will be six next week. She has never had health problems before. In the last year she has had 3 ear infections. They keep telling me they have no idea why she suddenly is having this problem. ( She is an indoor dog by the way)

I have had a horrible cold for a week and couldn't smell anything. I am feeling better and she STINKS to the high heavans. I just checked her and her left ear is completely infected again. Thank god I still have medicine in the house. Does anyone have any insight as to this? The poor thing must be suffering and I just am at a loss as to what is going on at this point.

 

[MosMom]

Some dogs are prone to what my vet calls "dirty ear". My dog gets it and I have to clean his ears weekly with a solution I get from the vet. That seems to keep the infection away. I just squirt the wash into his ears and then rub it in so it goes deep, otherwise it will all fly out when he shakes his head after. Ask your vet about doing that.

 

[twinmomplus2new]

I actually have the ear wash. But they said if I continue to use it after the infection is over I can disturb the natural cleansing of her ears and make it worse...
And trust me she is not cooperative about either of these medication prospects.
She outweighs me by about 30 lbs. I am going to have to board her at the vets again. So they can get the medicine into her. Her ear is very sore I am afraid she is going to bite one of the kids.

 

[hentob]

My dog, who is also a hunting dog, would get yeast infections in his ear after being out in the wet, high grass.

The vet said to flap his ears open after they get wet and dry them out.

And, ugh! I know that smell. It ain't purdy!

Good luck.

 

[HisEllyNelly]

Oh my poor dog used to get infections and they were nasty. We used to use the ear wash solution once a week...it helped. She wasnt as big as a st bernard, but wow I had to sit on her to get it in her ears.

 

[beattyfamily]

My dogs get this too. The vet always tells me to keep excess hair out of their ears. Any hair that is actually growing from the tunnel in their ear should be pulled out. They don't like it but it really really cuts down in infections. Also you must keep their ears dry so if they get wet from a bath or the rain, be sure and keep the ears dry.

Also, be sure and use the medicine the whole time needed (two weeks?) because just like a human infection, if you stop too soon, it won't be completely gone and will come back.

I also have the cleaning liquid and use it from time to time.

Good luck!

 

[phillybeth]

My vet told me to wet cotton balls with a solution of 50% white vinegar and 50% water and wipe out the ears 2 or 3 times a week. My dog had at least 3-4 ear infections and this stopped them completely. It's gentle and doesn't disturb the natural cleaning of the ear, but it keeps the yeast from coming back.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Does she scratch at her ears a lot? Is there messy gucky stuff in her ears, that looks like a rash?

If this is the case, she may have allergies which she is scratching at and causing secondary infections. It will cause the ears to stink really bad too.

Monty had this earlier this year and our vet warned us that allergies get worse again in the fall. So far he has not had any more but for a while he was really bad.

At first we thought it was ear mites.

 

[worlddreamer]

our dog is huge also, but still smaller than yours She's a 100 pound lab/rotweiler mix that used to get ear infections all the time. in fact, one of her ears is a little deformed from the swelling now.

Turns out she is allergic to dyes. We had been giving her those multi colored dog treats and they were making her sick

once we switched to the "brown" treats and food, she never got one again (and it has been 3 years!). Who'd have thought!

 

[damo]

It may be a thyroid problem. The two are often connected.

 

[Tinkerbelle'sMOM]

Poor pup! I use the vinegar and water solution in my dogs...food allergies are another big one...what kind of food are you feedings? Try a switch over to lamb and rice or Chicken Food for the Dog Lover's Soul food ( you can find it at Pet Supplies Plus)....they seem to be pretty good for food allergies. If you change the food add a big dollop of plain yogurt to the food bowl....will help relieve the "silent but deadlys" LOL

If his ears get wet, use the blowdryer on low/cool to help dry out the ears.

 

[Aimeedyan]

Aw, poor baby. I hope your vet can find a solution soon!

Harley got his first ear infection a few weeks ago, and it turned out it was because his groomer hadn't been pulling his ear hair. It was disgusting down in there. Once they pulled it all, and we were able to treat the infection well, he hasn't been scratching his ears as much. We have to clean his ears, too, every week. And since his ears flop, we have to hold them open when he gets wet so they will dry out.

The things we do for our furry friends

I can't imagine trying to get ear drops into a dog that size. Harley is 6 pounds and it takes two of us!!!!!!

Keep us updated!

 

[twinmomplus2new]

Well I just got home from the local pet store/coop. And the man there says It may actually be her food that is the culprit. She is on IAMS mini chunks for 3 plus years. Recently, she has become finicky and we added canned to her steadfast kibble diet. So If that is the case It looks like it may be the wet food.( Which is actually IAMS Chicken and rice.)

I called the kennel and they said to switch her to OLD Mother Hubbards, I guess it's more all natural?
The pet store also sold me Acidophilous. Probably a rip off but whos to know?

In order to put the medicine in, I have to sit on her and pin her to the ground. I guess I am going to find out for sure now if her temperment can be trusted or not.

I just put some in and she fought like the devil. But I had bought a bunch of MC Donalds Burgersd and if she lets me She gets a burger. I know bad dog mom people food. But at this point. I feel so bad she can just have it!
Thanks for all the advice.

 

[Tuffcookie]

I have had this problem with our Lab for years. Finally the vet diagnosed him with food allergies. It took nearly 4 mos to notice a difference in his ears after switching foods. I now feed him California Natural, which I have to go to a local all- natural grocery store for. ($$$$!) I also check his ears weekly and use the ear rinse. He is looking much healthier these days!

TC

 

[dejr_8]

We had a Dobbie-Sheppard mix who got frequent ear infections. We used the boric acid ear wash solution. The vet also had us use baby oil on Q-tips to clear out the "junk".

Boy did the dog enjoy that. He would moan with relief.