Need advice on preventing ear infections in my water obsessed ALD!

[Wendy and Sully]

I'm hoping someone can give me some advice on preventing recurring ear infections. We have a pool in the backyard and a beach nearby and Sully is in the water every chance he can get. He throws his toys in the pool and then takes running leaps from the side which usually results in his head being underwater for a few seconds with each dive. The vet suggested swabbing the inside of his ears with alcohol when he gets out of the pool and using a product like Oxyfresh ear cleaner once a week. I've been doing that, but it's not helping. The hair has been clipped under his ears as well as the on the inside of the ear leather. I use ear power and hemostats to keep the ear canal clean from stray hair. Is there anything that can be put in their ears before swimming that would prevent water from seeping in? Has anyone found a good product for drying water that is in the ear canal? If I keep him out of the water and treat the ear infection it clears up, but as soon as he's allowed back in, he begins having problems. He loves to swim and I hate to take that away from him, but I'm afraid that he'll permanently damage his ears with these recurring ear infections. Does anyone have any advice?

[BG and Gavin]

After a bath, I let Gavin's ears dry out like this:

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Problem with the products with alcohol is that they can burn or sting inside the ear and then the Doodle will become reluctant to have you get near their ears in the future.  I needs to be a pleasant experience if possible. 

[Christine & Camus]

The dermatologist I take Camus to gave me an ear rinse formula that I prepare at home, it is the only one that does not burn his ear and I use 3x weekly.  The only downside is that it does not hold well so I was told to prepare a fresh solution for each use.  The formula is:  50% water (tap water is fine), 25% rubbing alcohol, and 25% white vinegar.  I mix 2 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon alcohol, 1 tablespoon vinegar.

[Colleen, Jake & Baxter]

This is what I use for my doodle and it has been a life saver.  My vet recommended it and I use it as a preventative before grooming and swimming.

zymox otic enzymatic solution with hydrocortisone

[Wendy and Sully]

I think I'm going to buy some of this. Looked it up on Amazon and 675 reviews gave it 5 stars! Thanks for your input.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

I'm not sure if you know that there is a hydrocortisone-free version of the Zymox Otic enzymatic solution.  Not all ear conditions need to be treated regularly with hydrocortisone, which is a steroid.  For Wally's ears, I use DermaPet's MalAcetic Otic on a weekend day and wipe his ears out mid-week with Mal-A-Ket Wipes (also by DermaPet).   Good luck!

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

I use "swimmer's ear" human drops and vet says it okay.  The drops are basically alcohol, but they come in a bottle that lets you just put two drops in.  Two much alcohol is as bad as none.  Also use a "diffuser" type hair dryer on my dogs' ears and keep them clipped super close under the ear flap from ear canal to back of ear.

 

Does your vet recommend pulling the hair from your dog's ears?  I never have ( Tigger has none - Roo is super hairy) because my vet is not a big fan of pulling the hair unless absolutely necessary.

 

My dogs swim everyday from May through October and no trouble yet.  Fingers crossed.