Can doodles get swimmer's ear from swimming too much like people do?

[Coach Veazey, Roberta, and Coach]

Coach loves to swim and swim!  He loves to jump into the pool and swim around forever!  I was just wondering if he could get swimmers ear like people do? 

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Oh Yeah! If your doodle swims get a LARGE bottle of ear cleaner. You can get this from the vet or many on DK order it online. I am sure DK'ers will let you know what the name of their product is that they use. Also do a search on ear infections on DK. There are A LOT!

Don't wait until your dog gets the ear infection. Use the product twice a week. If the dog goes swimming every day, squirt it into the ear every day! Today, my dogs got a bath and they got a squirt then too. One ear infection was enough. I had them as a kid but mine never compared to what I saw come out of poor Spud's ear. The dog will hate you for an hour ..... but too bad.

[Coach Veazey, Roberta, and Coach]

Thanks for your help!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Call the vet and say, " My dog is a swimmer". They should completely understand and know what you need in the first 2 seconds. As I said, get it now and this will minimize some of the long term problems experienced by floppy- eared dogs.

Not only do doodles and other dogs get yeast infections, but bacteria, and all sorts of problems are in this area because the ear does not get air, is dark, and it's moist. My friends doodle, also a swimmer with a family pool just spent 5 months on oral Cipro. Good Grief, he may not have an ear infection any longer but does he have any kidneys?

Another helpful suggestion is to trim the hair underneath the flap so some air can circulate to the ear canal. It does not effect the doodle appearance if you trim in this area.

There are other discussions about trimming underneath the chin to promote air flow also. Do a search or join the grooming group for other helpful hints about preventing ear problems.

Good luck and have a great time swimming Coach. My doods are swimmers too

[Coach Veazey, Roberta, and Coach]

Thanks!

[Pat & "Tucker"]

There is a product to prevent this- it's drying agent. I've never used it, but it is the moisture in the ear that can cause the bacterial growth. It can also be caused by a cut or irritation in the ear- so I wouldn't pull the hair in the ear just before swimming. Here is the link- but I would check with the vet. Let us know!
http://www.medi-vet.com/prod-Vedco_Swimmer_s_Ear_Astringent_For_Dog...

[Frances Pendrous (Horan)]

If God gave our "oodles" any flaw at all it is being born with those darn "poodle ears" Having standard poodles for most of my life, I had learned to deal with the constant ear problems that comes with owning a dog that has a non-shedding, wool coat. When we got Frankie Girl, I was hoping and praying that her ear part would come from her "labrador" side...Sadly, to no avail and three ear infections later, we are constantly battling keeping them under control. I have personally found that when bathing or swimming, if we put a little cotton in her ears, this does keep the infections down, but as most of the other members have said, weekly cleaning with the vet ear drops seems to work the best.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

My vet, who also has a doodle, says be prepared to battle the doodle ears for life! It is just part ( one of the few bad parts ) of owning these wonderful dogs.
Let's Keep 'Em Healthy :)

[Coach Veazey, Roberta, and Coach]

Did your vet tell you the best way to keep the ears healthy?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Yes. The first vet said squirt this on a cotton ball and place in the ear and rub. UGH! Yeah Right.

My favorite vet said pour in the ear and let them shake thier head. Just get it in there!

So it all depends on what your dog will tolerate. Mine run, hide, fight, and act like it is the end of the world. Starlit even knows the word ear. We say ear when we want her to jump off our bed so we can sleep :)

Hope Coach stays healthy and has a great summer swimming.

If your vet gives you a good suggeston, I'll be waiting to hear. I'm always learning.

[Coach Veazey, Roberta, and Coach]

That's funny about when you say the word "ear"! I will let you know what he tells me! Coach hasn't complained about his ears, but I was worried about all the swimming he loves to do.

[Coach Veazey, Roberta, and Coach]

I am waiting on a call from my vet now. I will let you know what he tells me!!!!!!!!!

[Tammy & Gracie]

I always clean Gracie's ears after swimming or a bath. I use a solution from the vet. Squirt in and rub a minute, then let her shake. After that I dry with a cotton ball. it soes not seem to bother her at all. She had an ear infection last summer after she first started swimming but has never had another since. I think this also has to do wit the fact that I changed her diet to homecooking as well....