Help! Ear infection but can't make it to the vet!

[Megan and Charlie]

I noticed this morning the Charlie had brown goop coming out of his ear and it is very red and tender. Today is Saturday --- is there anything I can do to ease the pain since I won't be able to get to the vet for a few days??

He is about 18 months

[DJ & Chance]

If you can get to an emergency vet, you should do so on Sunday.  Otherwise, you may want to see if your local pet store carries Zymox Otic, which is a solution some people use for acute or chronic ear inflammation.  Other DK members may have better advice for you!  Good luck and I hope Charlie feels better soon.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

if it is very painful I would go to the emergency vet. If he hasn't had ear issues before, I would be hesitant to use something over the counter because you don't know what is causing the issue.

[F, Calla & Luca]

An ear cleaner, which he will need, will be painful at this point. He probably needs an antibiotic or anti fungal. The vet is the best bet.

[Lynda Kamrath]

I agree with others here that a cleaner, at this point, would be painful.  If it is already an infection, he needs to get antibiotics from a vet.  Lots of experience with ear infections (from a poodle in the past) and after the infection is cleared up, it is very important to keep ears clean.  We also pull out the ear hairs on a regular basis.  You can do that with a tweezers or just with your fingers (a few at a time).  We have had no ear infections with our doodles but clean ears on a regular basis.

You might, however, try cleaning gently with q-tips dipped in peroxide.  See if he will tolerate that.

[Megan and Charlie]

He just got his ears cleaned at the groomer 4 days ago. This is his first infection!

I think I will just try to find an emergency vet. Thanks for your help!

[Lynda Kamrath]

Well, that's a clue.  He got his ears cleaned 4 days ago and now an infection?  Sounds suspicious to me.

[Amy, Cubbie & Ollie]

let us know what the vet says.  Hopefully he will start feeling better soon.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

If the groomer is too rough with removing hair from the ear canal, that can cause an irritation or even an abrasion, which in turn can turn into an infection if the dog rubs or scratches the ear. I really think the vet needs to see him. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I don't have hair pulled from the canal but my doodles don't have a lot. Sometimes it is not necessary and causes more harm than good.

[Bonnie and Kona]

The only ear infection Kona has ever had in six years was after having his ear hair plucked at the groomer. We don't do that anymore. Good luck! I hope it heals quickly. Poor guy. 

[Jennifer and Jack]

Ear infections hurt ..if it is already to the point of brown goop coming out..that is bad infection....I swear if Jack scratches his ears more then a few times..I can bring him in nd he is yeast and bacteria.....tnk yeast infection....ouch...can you go to ER vet is that an option?

[Christine & Camus]

I agree - taking him to a vet is the best approach.  Camus use to get ear infections and the cleaning solutions only burned the ear.