Gentizol for yeast ear infections

[Tara L P]

Hi,

Has anyone had any bad outcomes from treating their dogs ears yeast infections with Gentizol? I went to a vet today who looked into her ear with the magnifier/light tool to determine that her ear drum was OK. However when i came home and googled the anti-inflammatory and antibiotic drug, and a good amount of people report that deafness can occur--after one treatment-- or lead to vestibular dysfunction. 

This dog forum and this golden retriever forum really scared me. I do not want to take a chance and wonder if i should clean her ear out with something else and stop treatment until I receive a different medication? Ella's hearing seems ok, but i do not like what i read.

Thoughts?

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

The idoform powder in Barbara B's recipe is the main ingredient in Thornit.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Just like Gentian violet, Iodoform is an old-time antiseptic which has pretty much been replaced by more effective products. It is not without risk, either: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iodoform

Boric acid has it's own risks, as does Gentian Violet.

Boric Acid Toxicology:

Based on mammalian median lethal dose (LD₅₀) rating of 2,660 mg/kg body mass, boric acid is poisonous if taken internally or inhaled in large quantities. The Thirteenth Edition of the Merck Index indicates that the LD₅₀ of boric acid is 5.14 g/kg for oral dosages given to rats, and that 5 to 20 g/kg has produced death in adult humans. The LD₅₀ of salt is reported to be 3.75 g/kg in rats according to the Merck Index.

Long term exposure to boric acid may be of more concern, causing kidney damage and eventually kidney failure (see links below). Although it does not appear to be carcinogenic, studies in dogs have reported testicular atrophy after exposure to 32 mg/kg bw/day for 90 days. This level is far lower than the LD₅₀.^[4]

According to boric acid IUCLID Dataset published by the European Commission, boric acid in high doses shows significant developmental toxicity and teratogenicity in rabbit, rat, and mouse fetuses as well as cardiovascular defects, skeletal variations, mild kidney lesions.^[5] As a consequence, in August 2008, in the 30th ATP to EU directive 67/548/EEC, the EC decided to amend its classification as reprotoxic category 2 and to apply the risk phrases R60 (may impair fertility) and R61 (may cause harm to the unborn child).^[

The point being that none of the ingredients in this "natural" product are all that natural (as you can see when you read the links as to how they are formulated), none of them is risk-free, and they are not considered to be as effective as more recently developed products. When you add in the inconvenience of having to buy the ingredients and mix them, and the application process itself, I can't help wondering what the advantage is to a simple ointment from the vet.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Hopefully no doodle is ingesting any of this stuff. I do suspect making your own is a lot cheaper which may be why the breeders, with lots of dogs, do it. Prevention is the key IMHO. A good cleaner used every so often, depending on the doodle, should do the trick. But drops for an infection per se make much more sense to me since they can get into the nooks and crannies of the ear canal, which is quite deep in dogs.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Drops as opposed to... ear washes?

When I've had to deal with an ear infection, I've had either drops or ointments that had a long nozzle which gets inserted into the ear.

I agree that prevention is the key. But I know a lot of people use the Thornit for prevention, and I think a good cleaning solution with a drying agent (such as the one you mention below) is a better idea.

[F, Calla & Luca]

Whoops, drops as opposed to ointments. But I guess an ointment placed deep would warm up and spread. The solution I use is easy, lasts a long time and smells good. Also, no staining of doodles or furniture, etc.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There are also warnings about applying the ingredients in the ear washes to broken skin.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I would think lots of things with acids like the ear washes would sting badly. And of course, nothing should be used on an ear with a ruptured drum.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I have been lucky using DermaPet Malacetic Otic for cleansing every 2-3 weeks and the doodles have had no infections. I do not pluck the hair from their ear canals. I do keep the hair under the ear short.

[c zoomer]

Hello All,

Dinah has a mild yeast issue that I notice after kayaking or bathing...and I had been careful.  Which of the many! suggested ear potions should I try first on a mild condition?

[F, Calla & Luca]

Anything with a mild acid, such as above, should help with yeast.

[c zoomer]

Thank you for your answer.  Since this discussion included boric acid, I thought I would mention that when searching for tearing tract clean up, contact lens cleaning solution was suggested--because it has boric acid!  Must be really mild to put it in your eye.  If anyone else has input on this before I try it, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks in advance.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I think it might do the job but I probably would stick with ear cleaner designed for dogs.