Gloryb

Hi SusiC,
I have a English Lab and have gone through the same exact thing with her. She had to go to the vets at least every two to three months and oh what that cost us, and the suffering she went through. I switched her from the regular food she was on, which was holistic, but contained grains. The important thing to tell you is that I started her on "grainless" food. She has not had one single ear infection since, and it has been a good two years.
There are several brands to choose from at your local pet store. Ours is Pet Depot or Petco. Also, your local farm feed stores will have them. Yes, they are higher priced, but they are far better quality and so much healthier. God didn't design your dog to eat grain.
I sure hope this helps your problem.
Gloryb

Gloryb

I just read the thread from "boysmomoflabs", and I agree with the brand of dog food "Taste of the Wild". It is the same food I feed our lab, and the infections are gone. Try it...it works!

blondeslave

You have some good suggestions here. I have 4 basset hounds-talk about ear flaps... Anyway, having the vet do a culture is a good idea as well as changing food and treats to grain free or at least a food that is wheat, corn and soy free. I use an ear wash called the "Blue Ear Cleaner" made up of 3 ingredients that works wonders. Let me know if you'd like the recipe. The ear cleaner worked wonders on my old boy Moosie Bear a rescue that came with horrible ear infections.

cavmom

been there! when i had Newfoundlands around 10 yrs ago my male had a constant problem. After years of going to our local vet we finally ended up bringing him to Tufts which is a local teaching Animal Hospital. They totally cleaned out his ears (expensive visit) He still ended up always have a slight amount of gunk in his ears, but i am sure he felt a whole lots better! Its just one of those breed problems i think. :-( LOVE the dogs! They have the best personalities. I just wish it wasnt such a task to groom them.

Stitchnripper

One of my grandpuppies is getting over ear issues. Allergies are suspected. The vet gave us some earwash and medicine and switched her food to potato and duck, which she loves. Her ears are very clean now. I'm not local so not sure if she had a culture, but she seems fine now.

barri1

I've been through ear infections with my cockapoo until I cultured the secretions, and it was a fungus.. I also try to clean his ears often, as it is extremely humid here.. Another thing you might try.. When the dog is sleeping, try to uncover his ears, and let the air circulate..
Barri

Bill'sBonBon

As a Retired VET.Tech and Dog Groomer for a lot of yrs. Also owning poodles which have floppy ears and a LOT of hair growing inside the Ears..Ear Problems come with the Dog.. After going to the vet. and still haveing the problems, a friend who showed poodles all over the US told me to check this way.. and it works.. Make sure Dog doesn't have ear mites.. Use a qtip swab inside of ear canal and You can actually see them tiny little things..If you need to get a magnifying class to see them really good..Nada for mites then Usually it is ear canker,can get really smelly and bad.. Remedy to keep PH balance right..Equal amounts of White Vinegar and Alcohol. Keep in a small squeeze bottle.. Squirt into ear, massage with your thumb and pointer finger,clean with cotton balls. Repeat and then Once a week clean with the mixture. I haven't had a dog to the vet for ear problems since i started doing this .. Believe me Poodles from the largest to the smallest has a lot of hair inside their ears.. Good luck... BillsBonBon

Bill'sBonBon

She probably used the Equal amounts of Vinegar and Alcohol. To clean and keep Ph balance inside the ears..Good groomer you have there.Cockers have HAIRY Ears I allways, with the owners permission shaved inside of cocker ears still had the outside hair and it thinned it alot so some air could get to the inside. Retired Groomer that I am.. :wink: BillsBonBon

Patchesnposies

Does this have gentian violet in it? A number of years ago we had an English Mastiff that had issues with her ears and I found a cure on Earthclinic.com that had gentian violet in it and it worked wonders.

www.earthclinic.com is an excellent site in general and has tons of info for pets and their problems too.

IdahoSandy

Go to another vet if he hasn't helped your dog.
IdahoSandy