storm Posted November 1, 2008 Share Posted November 1, 2008 I have a rescue OES that suffers from chronic ear problems. I think it is due to his ears never being cleaned over his life time In the passed he has needed to be knocked out to get them cleaned. He is on antibiotics, ear wash and Otomax ointment twice daily. Before I can do anything with his ears he has 1/2 a acepromqazine tablet to relax him and allow me to get near his ears. Is there anything I can do help stop ear infections? I have never had a dog with such bad ears. I am open to any advice no matter how out there, left field etc He is currently eating chicken frames, wings etc and advance dry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tilly Posted November 1, 2008 Share Posted November 1, 2008 Is he around other dogs? I found our GSD had constant ear infections and it was caused by our rottie licking his ears... just a thought Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gretel Posted November 1, 2008 Share Posted November 1, 2008 I know a lot of people have had success with strictly raw feeding. No dry food at all. Might be worth a try? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toohey Posted November 1, 2008 Share Posted November 1, 2008 (edited) What sort of earwash is it? if it is not alcohol based, using it in conjunction with the otomax will produce a claggy ear that will never dry out, and moisture breeds bugs. If the Otomax is not working, i'd give it up. It should produce results within a few days if it is the right treatment. I find the best way to avoid ear peoblems is to keep the fur clipped right back firstly to allow as much air as possible to circulate, and to use an alcohol based cleaner every couple of weeks (preventative). Pour it in, give the base of the ear a good massage and allow the dog to shake it out. Make your own with half isopryl alcohol, half water, and few drops of betadine. You could try using that method with some diluted ACV, or another remedy that UK cocker people swear by is Thornit powder, available from http://www.groomersproducts.com.au/groomersproducts.htm I have some, but have not tried it out yet, as my cockers never have ear problems Edited November 1, 2008 by Toohey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted November 1, 2008 Share Posted November 1, 2008 go with raw only and be careful the meats used as well. Either that or try a food like eagle pack holistic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
storm Posted November 2, 2008 Author Share Posted November 2, 2008 The ear wash is ilium oticlean. He wont let other dogs near his ears, the moment anyone goes to touch him anywhere near his ears he will growl and move away. The poor boy is in great pain with them I am slowly changing him to raw food only, just didn't want to upset him to much to start with as he also has separation anxiety At the moment I don't have a hope in hell of removing the excess hair from his ears, cleaning them is hard enough. Even with the medication he still needs to be muzzled We are looking at the vet knocking him out next week and giving the ears a clean and removing the excess hair. Toohey, will have a look at the web site, thanks. isopry what is this and where do I get it please? I have a friend with poodles that makes ear powder and have used that for years with my own dogs. Also wasn't sure if putting a powder in his ears would be a good idea as they are so yucky as it is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
storm Posted November 2, 2008 Author Share Posted November 2, 2008 go with raw only and be careful the meats used as well. Either that or try a food like eagle pack holistic What meat would be the best to use please? I will look at eagle pack holistic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blacklabrador Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 I know a lot of people have had success with strictly raw feeding. No dry food at all. Might be worth a try? Yup I'd take him off the grain based food and try him on just raw for a while. My girl gets stinky ears if I've been feeding kibble too often. A week back on raw and it rights itself (plus some cleaning). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toohey Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 Toohey, will have a look at the web site, thanks. isopry what is this and where do I get it please? Sorry spelt it wrong - Isopropyl Alcohol .. otherwise known as rubbing alcohol, from the chemist. However, if his ears are that painful dont use alcohol yet, as he may have raw open wounds. Wait until they have been properly checked and diagnosed by the vet, and once the condition is under control I'd use the alcohol cleaner for maintenance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cavandra Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 If you can find Boracic Acid powder or can find a Chemist who will mix this for you (as some have it) 6 oz Isopropyl alcohol half a Tbls Boracic Acid powder 1 tsp Betadine (used to be Gentian Violet but you cnat buy it anymore either ) Grain, rice, pasta etc can cause ear infections, yeast infections & skin complaints.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sausy.dog Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 Has he had a swab taken by a vet to ascertain which bug is causing his infections? It may be resistant to the antibiotics he is on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
storm Posted November 2, 2008 Author Share Posted November 2, 2008 Has he had a swab taken by a vet to ascertain which bug is causing his infections? It may be resistant to the antibiotics he is on. Not yet, the vet is hoping the antibiotic will work if not he will be knocked out for a full check up next week Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
storm Posted November 2, 2008 Author Share Posted November 2, 2008 If you can find Boracic Acid powder or can find a Chemist who will mix this for you (as some have it)6 oz Isopropyl alcohol half a Tbls Boracic Acid powder 1 tsp Betadine (used to be Gentian Violet but you cant buy it anymore either ) Grain, rice, pasta etc can cause ear infections, yeast infections & skin complaints.... Thanks Cavandra Joys of surrenders you don't get a medical history Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 (edited) Not an 'expert' on the subject as such, but did the Vet 'clear' this dog of having any holes (some are difficult to detect) in the ear drum? Pouring cleaner down there in those circumstances can be painful I believe, and not helpful. In the absence of that perhaps keep the ear flaps (if that's as far as you might be able to get without knocking her out) wiped with white vinegar. By not approaching her ears for the 'full work out' so to speak might help her to gain the trust you need from her that every time you look at her ears is not going to mean "pain is coming". Sorry - I think that's all I can think of to add in a vague attempt to help. Edited November 2, 2008 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MiniMum Posted November 2, 2008 Share Posted November 2, 2008 Hi Storm Not an 'expert' on the subject as such, but did the Vet 'clear' this dog of having any holes (some are difficult to detect) in the ear drum? Pouring cleaner down there in those circumstances can be painful I believe, and not helpful. So true. We don't know the history of our guy and he came to us with sore ears. After antibiotics, ear washes and drops didn't do much, the vet checked him out (cleaning and hair removal) when we had him desexed. Turns out his eardrum is perforated and he also has allergies which exaserbate it. So now he is have a six week antibiotic course, no drops or liquid of any kind near his ear at all. Took him off dry food and I have also been advised by other DOLers to remove red meat from his diet, which I have done. Since the change in diet he is worrying his ear a LOT less. Hope it all works out for you and him Bec Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
storm Posted November 2, 2008 Author Share Posted November 2, 2008 Not an 'expert' on the subject as such, but did the Vet 'clear' this dog of having any holes (some are difficult to detect) in the ear drum? Pouring cleaner down there in those circumstances can be painful I believe, and not helpful. In the absence of that perhaps keep the ear flaps (if that's as far as you might be able to get without knocking her out) wiped with white vinegar. By not approaching her ears for the 'full work out' so to speak might help her to gain the trust you need from her that every time you look at her ears is not going to mean "pain is coming". Sorry - I think that's all I can think of to add in a vague attempt to help. When the dog first arrived it was straight to the vet for a check up. Dog wouldn't let the vet or anyone touch his ears. Had to use a muzzle at the vets and another vet helped to hold the dog so that the ears could be looked at. Ears very wet, smelly and quite red. Even with muzzle on dog wasn't happy and fought when anyone touched his ears. Yet just laid still for a blood test Antibiotic and ear wash given. Dog has a few health issues and vets didnt want to knock dog out that day, waiting for blood work to come back and to hopefully get him to gain a bit of weight and get over what appears to be KC. So dont know if he has been cleared so to speak of any holes in his ears. I sit with him and bribe him with small treats and gently rub his head. Today he actually let me lift the ear flaps up and tilt them upside down on his head. That was all I did in the way of touching his ears It will take time for him to trust me afters years of neglect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monah Posted November 3, 2008 Share Posted November 3, 2008 Oh dear, poor poor baby! Must be in a lot of pain. We have had an ongoing ear problem, even with treatment. So, number one is fresh roo meat and rice , nothing else at all, as if there is an allergy invovled, this is best. Number two, There must!!! be a swab taken to see just what the bug is if it has not responded to other treatment, must must must!! Once the bug is recognised, suitable antibiotics and cleaning and ear drops. Ears must be flushed under sedation. Our dog has huge canals, so the usual 8 drops or half mil of stuf is useless. We are currently using 1mil in each ear twice a day by using a syringe to make sure the amount does go in. Those silly containers that you cannot see through or measure with do not give any idea if the dog is receiving the correct dose. Our 'ears' are finally doing very well!. Your dog may also have middle ear damage due to infections. This can be checked. Please please get a swab and proper doses happening. We went on for some time with a silly little dose that did nothing. We are very lucky, our vet gave us 8 bottles of ear drops for the price of one :rolleyes: as they are so worried about it, and are also nice people Good luck, I really do hope it can be fixed, such a painful problem If using syringes, always clean them and use a different one for each ear to prevent cross infection Be very careful what you use to clean the ears, constant cleaning can cause painful ulcers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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