Ear Infection nightmare - help!!!!

[Sue, Lola, Pongo & Hubby]

Hi everyone.....

So our poor Lola has yet another yeast ear infection (she's had them on and off since she was a pup)...this one is never-ending, though (it's been over a month). We're on our third batch of ear drops from the vet. Our vet has also cleaned out her ear multiple times over the past month, revealing large wax buildup. So her last recheck was about a week ago, and when the vet looked into her ear, there was still a lot of wax buildup...so more drops.

Has anyone found a "natural" way of fighting this, or is there anything I could do in addition to the strict cleaning/medicating regimen we're on??

 

Any advice would be great....my poor baby needs some help!!!!!

[Sue, Lola, Pongo & Hubby]

right now with the infection, about once a week. I don't normally do it on my own, because we got a scare from our trainer when Lola was a puppy. The trainer told us that she "over-cleaned" her golden retriever's ears and lost his hearing. I don't know if I should have believed her or not, but that really scared me. I then read that you shouldn't pour the solution into the ear, that you should use a cotton ball drenched in solution...then I read elsewhere that pouring the solution in is fine....I'm so confused!!!!!!

[Sue, Lola, Pongo & Hubby]

I didn't want to believe the trainer either, but then I didn't want to be sorry. I've got some cleaner from the vet...so I'll start with once a week, and hopefully it'll help. Thanks so much for your advice!

[Sue, Lola, Pongo & Hubby]

Thanks for all the info, Lisa. From what I'm hearing from everyone here, I'll definitely be cleaning her ears on a regular basis from now on.

[Taylor & Huff]

I am at the same bump in the road Huffs ear infection won't leave. We are on round 2 of drops. We stopped cleanind his ears (because that makes them irritated) and the drops. The infection is managed but not better.  

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

Lola is very cute :)

What kind of food are you feeding her?  Our vet told us that Dexter's recurrent ear infections were likely due to grain allergies.  We started feeding him grain free food and we've only had 1-2 ear infections since.

We bought cleaner at our vet.  They recommend that we clean their ears 1-2x per week.  Good luck.

[Sue, Lola, Pongo & Hubby]

We've been feeding her a skin & coat vet formula for a couple of years now because of similar grain and protein allergies, so it shouldn't be that, right?

[Donna K & Quincy]

Sue, there is lots of controversy about vet sold foods, go to the food group and you will find all the info you need. Recently a friend of mine who had been feeding her dogs precription food for skin issues switched them to Fromms with no problem at all and as a matter of fact they are doing even better. There are lots of grain free food that are better quality than the vet dispenses. Quincy has had a couple of ear infections but since we switched to Fromms he hasn't had any. I clean his ears once a week and used a drying powder in between. Good luck, hope you find something that works for you.

[Sue, Lola, Pongo & Hubby]

I think I have my next few nights planned out, now!!! Lots of reading material on the food group!! What a great resource, thanks so much!

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

cheaper than the vet food too, for much better quality! a win win situation

[Sue, Lola, Pongo & Hubby]

Right now, we're feeding her IAMS K&O, and spending over $100/bag. We don't care about the money (obviously, she's our little honey), but if there's something out there that would be better for her, we'd definitely go for that. I'm reading up on Orijen right now....are there any others anyone would recommend for allergies??? Also, what kind of cleaners is everyone using? I want to get the best quality for her, no harsh chemicals or anything like that

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Every food recommended in The Food Group is better than Iams, Rx or not. Look for the discussion "Why You Should Say No When Your Vet Recommends Rx Food"  in TFG, and then look at our recommended foods list.

The trainer doesn't know what she's talking about, but also, dogs with non-shedding coats are more prone to ear infections than Golden Retrievers and need their ears cleaned more often than GRs, with a solution that contains a drying agent. There's a reason that chronic ear infections are referred to as "Poodle Ear". Proper removal of the hair from the ear canal is important, too. If it isn't done properly, that can lead to ear infections, too.

[Leslie, Dexter & Kirby]

FYI we are currently feeding Dex & Kirby Taste of the Wild.  It's rated highly, the doodles like it and we can buy it at a local store for not that much.  I believe Orijen is also very good.  Good luck - I don't think it can hurt to try switching food.