Rosey may have Ear Infection

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Yesterday I noticed Rosey's left ear was really dirty.  I normally check once a week and only clean them if I see dirty ears.  I haven't had to do it too often but yesterday I was shocked that she had a ton of g*** in her ear.  So of course, she HATES it, but I managed to get 3 cotton balls of it out.  Well today it was really dirty again!  So I got the cotton balls out and went searching for Rosey (she was hiding in the basement) and when I put the cotton ball in she was crying, I got some more out but I am afraid it may be infected?  Any thoughts before I take her to the vet?? Do ya'll think it's dirty or may be infected?   Are there any other signs of ear infection?

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Take her to the vet; that's an infection, not just dirt, and it needs to be cultured. Dirty ears might itch, but they don't cause pain, and they don't produce that much gunk so soon after being cleaned. And I would not use any kind of products, homemade or otherwise, that well-meaning people might recommend, because you need to know if you're dealing with yeast or bacteria, or both. Also, if it's causing pain, it's almost certainly infected and needs more than an ear wash solution. Ear infections can lead to some very nasty (and costly) complications if not properly treated.
Good luck, I hope she's soon feeling better!

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

oh geez, okay. We will go tomorrow, I don't think it has been going on too long so hopefully it's not too bad. Thanks so much, my poor Rosey...

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

My Springer gets nasty ears - black stuff- several times a year. I use a cleaner that I get from the vet to periodically clean them and I use medicine in the ear when I find more than just a need for a clean out. My vet doesn't require a visit every time this happens because it is in his records. If it is seems really bad or I want a good check of the ear to make sure it is clear, I take him in. My Springer is cooperative for all of this.
Now to my newest dog, Clancy. Clancy seems prone to ear infections also, but he is totally uncooperative about checking, cleaning or medicine even with bribes. I think that with him I will just take him in for a good ear check and a flushing if necessary - then follow up by me which entails two people and a wrestle hold! I hope this changes as he is with us longer.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thanks Karen, I re-read my post and don't think that I got across very well that we started with vet visits but know what to look for and what to do because of our experience with ear infections for the Springer. Yes, ear infections cause pain and untreated can cause deafness! With our Springer, we know exactly what to look for and do and we use prescribed cleaners and meds - we just don't need a vet visit each time - but this doesn't mean never. With our rescue doodle who is NOT cooperative, in the 5 months and two ear infections since we got him, we have taken him to the vet for both a diagnosis and clearance both times. I would advise a trip to the vet also.

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

Rosey HATES having her ears cleaned, it was quite an accomplishment for me to get 5 cotton balls in her ear with DH out of town. But, I will stop cleaning it until the vet says otherwise! I have no reservations in taking to the vet, we go probably too much, Iam a worriesome doodle mommy!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

So am I, and I have never been sorry I went, even when the vet himself seemed amused about it. I once raced to the vet because Jack had been playing with another dog in the yard and must have caught his tongue on one of his own teeth; his tongue was bleeding. By the time the vet saw him, (about 30 minutes after it happened) the bleeding had stopped and you couldn't even find a mark on his tongue! My sweet vet didn't charge me for that "visit", lol!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

We have another one today too. The same ear, same thing :( 5 cotton balls for me too. It is clean enough now to take him into the vet in the am. Geesh, it has only been a month but it is that time of year and Spud does like to swim.

I really want to tie his ears back to let in some sunlight and air. I have used a hair scrungy a few times to hold his ears up and he says nothing....but it doesn't stay up long. When he sleeps I place the ear on top of his head.

I will say this... the more problems we have the more he trusts me to gentle try to deal with the ear problem. It took a long time and a lot of trust. He tries real hard to tolerate cleaning and meds.

I'm sick of it but my vet said... get used to it.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Do you put that stuff in her ears after a bath or swimming that wicks out the water? It is a God send for us. I use it once a week regardless on Gracie Doodle and that keeps us from ear infections. Gracie daily has her entire head in a bucket of water!!!!

[Suzann, Rosey & Bandit]

nooooo? What stuff? Can you let me know? thanks!!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

A cleaning and drying solution; ask you vet, they will probably give or sell you one for weekly maintenance after the infection is cleared up. I always used Epi-Otic from the vet.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Yes, mine is Hexadene Flush by Virbac Animal Health. I have a second bottle that is Epi-Optic Ear Cleanser by the same company. I think they are the exact same but one is a new packaging. Great stuff. Use it weekly for ear maintenance. I get mine at the vet.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Oh don't get this until you see a vet first. Yep, off to the vet for you but do ask how often and what they want you to clean your dogs ears with! Also, tell them you have a swimmer. Good luck.