Shari Becker's Page

Thanks for your comment Shari.  Even though I am still really struggling I know Sulley has played a huge role in the progress I have made and Molly will as well.  I don't have to have them with me every waking moment but every moment I am with them helps.  I consider them emotional support dogs.  So glad to hear that Lexi has been such a blessing to your family.

such a wonderful comment you left on the post "Confessions"

I'm a believer that dogs can get us through long winters and take our minds off problems. Anxiety is so severe but it can be helped with dogs in many cases. Not all, but many of us know it can and does work. 

Happy Calm Days to You

Do a search on here and you will find some talk about it.  We just dont tell those who are batting ear infections. It should only be used as a maintenance and not for those that have dogs who already have infections.  Or, for those who dont want to take their dogs to the vet... which you already do.   

It is an old wives tale remedy by Standard Poodle Breeders since ... well probably the turn of the century. My vet was floored that we had made it a year, then another year, and come March, three years.   

Those of us here that have swimming dogs, or dogs with funky ears do use it.  My dog cant use any products that are liquid, some drop antibiotic, etc.  Really, I had two years of nightmares. 

It keeps the ears dry.   And with yeast, you want dry.   It stinks. LOL   And it works  :)  

We never had mites. We  had yeast and then infections.  Infections, then yeast and NOTHING WORKED.   

Shari,

Try Thornit.    I hate to put this product out in your discussion for the simple reason people will use it without getting proper vet care for their dogs with infections.

Many of us use this product here who have had a long history of ear issues with no results.  We use it as a maintenance product not a medication: yeasty ears, dogs who swim a lot, dogs who can not use wet cleaning products, etc 

You have to order it from the UK but my little 100mg bottle is 3 years old and I have used only  1/2 a bottle in three yeas.   A tiny pinch in the ears twice a month.  Next spring it will be 3 years without ear issues for us!!!   

Here is the link.  ( dont use the USA links  )

http://www.thornitearpowder.com/

You are most welcome, Shari, and it is a constant question around here also.  To add to the problem, Harpo is one of those rare animals that gets poison oak.  He had it many times last year and our area is filled with oaks(and poison oak).  So I have to keep him on leash at all times that we are in an area with poison oak.  Harpo, BTW, is my ALD and Groucho Too was my phantom doodle.  I am hoping to get a phantom sheepadoodle next and am working with a breeder who is planning on doing some breeding to get just this.  She has her breeding stock but they are too young and have not completed all testing, so it will be another year (at least).  Zeppo is filling in as a companion for Harpo until the sheepadoodles are bred.  Good luck with your grooming, it is worth it.  Harpo was the same way with the brushes when we started with him.  Take it very slow.  Now he loves to be groomed and brushed and actually jumps up onto the grooming table when I take out a brush.  He stood off and on for two days for his latest groom.   My husband and I take turns on a total groom.

You definitely will be able to do your own grooming if you have the time.  It is not that difficult.  We have always groomed our own doodles.  Try some different brushes to find what you (and Lexi) like.  The poodle in her makes her willing to stand for hours for grooming.  Our dogs love it, and Harpo even jumps up onto the grooming table for a good brushout.  My husband and I both like grooming (and are retired) so we take our time and spread a full groom out over several days.  First we do the face and the feet (clean her ears well) and we use clippers on the feet between the toes and on their faces.  Then we do a scissors cut on the whole body, and finally a wash, blow dry, and final cut.  It takes us a few days, but we do not like to work too long at a time.