? ear infection

[Jackie]

I'm trying to figure out if Beckett has an ear infection. He has been shaking his head, just alittle. But right now he isn't. His ears don't smell either. He was scratching them but just seems like a "dog thing". He had a cone on for a few days after his neutering. I don't know if that could have anything to do with it....? not enough air getting to ears, etc. I've been searching here and saw a post about Zymox. I was wondering if it really works. Should I take him to the vets on Monday or just watch and see what happens. Or if Zymox works, should I just go and order some instead of going to the vet.?

[Lake Girl, Lizette]

For weekly cleaning and I feel like it helped prevent ear infections:
I had springers that swam all the time during the summer, so right after their swimming time I would squirt
1 part water, 1 part vinegar, 1/2 part alcohol...it forced the water out of the ear canal. I also feel it prevented ear infections dried up the moisture in their ear canals. I used an empty ear wash bottle. It is a lot cheaper and it works. Once a week I put a squirt in each ear and wipe it clean if they didn't swim. I am not looking forward to plucking ear hairs though. I can't stand the thought of inflicting any pain on anyone.