Ear infections

[Brenda Boggs]

Winston is having a bout with ear infections even though we keep his ears plucked. I have ear cleaning medicine from the vet but Winston hides when he sees me coming with the bottle. Is anyone else having the same problem?

[F, Calla & Luca]

I don't pluck the hair but use Malaseb solution weekly (from the vet ) and Luca doesn't seem to mind really. I do keep what hair I can reach around the ear opening clipped making sure none falls in and also keep the hair under his ear flap short. after an initial slight yeast problem 10 months ago all has been well with this routine.

[Bette & Obie]

When we took Obie to the groomer (his first time) she discovered he had an ear infection. We didn't know. We took him immediately to the vet who diagnosed a yeast infection. She prescribed an ear cleaner & "Mometamax" to be put in his ears daily then to be rechecked in 10 days. He didn't like it & I had to hold him down while my husband cleaned his ear then put the drops in. It took two bottles of ear cleaner & two bottles of the medicine before it cleared up - approx. 5-6 weeks & two trips to the vet. I was getting discouraged because Obie refused to go downstairs where we had everything set up & carrying a 40# dog downstairs or trying to drag him wasn't any fun. Now that his ear has cleared up, we are using an ear cleaner "Ear Cleanse" once a week in both ears. Obie is still leery about going downstaris. Good luck with Winston!

[Debbie and Thomas]

I have recommended this before and I can't say enough about it. It is a holistic ear cleaner called Gentium Blue ear cleaner. Just a few drops in each ear canal and the brown smelly waxy build up clears up the next day. Our dog trainer told me about it-it is like a miracle. Many of her clients dogs had CHRONIC ear infections for years and their vet bills were so high. They all tried this and it worked. They never had a problem again. Of course I spoke to the vet first and yes she had heard of it-but because it is holistic-she cannot prescribe it. I used it for only two days when my dog was 14 weeks old, a feww drops in each canal, and the next day-his canal was perfect. I have never had to use it again. Of course I did check with the vet first-she was Ok with it.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Where do you get this product? Is Gentium Blue Ear Cleaner the name of it or what it is? I need this for my English Springer who is prone to ear infections - floppy ears and water don't mix. We use ear cleaners and medicines and they work but I would much rather use a holistic product. PS We are lucky I guess because Gordie is very patient and sits still for ear meds. Ned and brushing, on the other hand...........

[Debbie and Thomas]

Sorry, I spelled this incorrectly. The name of it is "Gentian Ear Treatment". The ingredients are witch hazel, boric acid(which is in most ear cleaners) and the secret ingredient is Gentiun Violet Solution. Now apparently this can stain your clothes or carpet etc if some spills or if your dog shakes his head. I put the drops in his ears in the kitchen on ceramic tile and rubbed the ear canal with the flap of his ear right after. There was no leakage or any drops flying around. You have to get a syringe(I just used one that I had from the vet from the ear cleaner she gave me that DID not work) I filled it right up and put half in each ear canal-right in deep. The results were amazing. I bought this from a holitic pet store, but you can buy it online at www.urbancarnivore.com. This is a Canadian company but they ship this stuff all over the world. Google Gentium Ear Treatment and there are tons of forums with comments. Hope this helps.Also, it is good for cats too.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thank you very much!

[Sandy]

Debbie - I had heard that these drops cause staining. Do you have to do it outside?

[Sandy]

Toby is in the middle of drops for his first ear infection. He tolerates the drops VERY well. He just lays there. Then I massage his ear for a minutes afterwards, and he leans right into it. It wasn't a raging infection, just the beginning of one. I hope this won't become an ongoing problem.

[Debbie and Thomas]

The bottle says to watch out for your clothes, carpet etc, because it can stain. I put the drops into his ears in my kitchen with ceramic tile and then I rubbed the flap of his ear into the canal. There was no staining or any residue left behing. You just have to inset the drops right into the canal. If the dog was not cooperating with this-I can see it becoming an issue with the staining.

[Nina Vantschip]

I believe the "gentian violet" is an old school antifungal used for baby's thrush...it's a bright purple color and yes it does stain...badly (I work in a pharmacy!!). Theoretically it should work wonders. I'd be afraid of staining my guys's coats (with my luck!). Riley was diagnosed with an ear infection today! They dogs always have irritation after being at the groomer's, so I'm going to try and nip it in the bud next groom!!