Ear infections

**Labradorable** · 12-24-2011, 07:52 AM

Dozer has had 3 ear infections in his life (3rd one is now) and I've done the vet solution. My sister (works in the vet industry) is suggesting a steroid for it because the Surolan doesn't seem to do the trick. What do you think? Is there something more natural I can use? Other than his ears his body (skin, coat, teeth, overall health) is perfect.

I know sometimes the food can cause ear infections but he is on a high quality food and he has a sensitive stomach (to change) so I'd like that to be my very last option.

**Sophiesmama** · 12-24-2011, 08:27 AM

Our vet prescribed Gentizol for Sophie when she had it. It has a steroid and an antibiotic. He also cleaned her ears.

**bett** · 12-24-2011, 08:46 AM

i don't know how old your boy is but i'd want to find the cause and it could very well be the food.
there's homemade ear remedy containing gentian violet but maybe someone here can chime in with the ingredients.

**Samson** · 12-24-2011, 09:58 AM

Over time, I found that cleaning Jasper's ears with a proprietary ear cleaner ( I use Sancerum ) every couple of months kills any mites ( that was the cause of his infections coupled with very narrow ear channels )

He has not been back to the vets for a couple of years at least since !

I started by cleaning them with cotton wool but found that I couldn't get deep enough into the ear for it to be effective, so now I just spray a small amount in and then massage his ear ( He enjoys that ! )

**nellies mom** · 12-24-2011, 10:03 AM

I would be concerned with the food. Nellie was having constant ear infections and my vet told me to change her food. She has not had another ear infection in probably 7 years.

**BigBrownDog** · 12-24-2011, 10:21 AM

Mine are both on grain free food yet Blaise has still had problems with one ear. His other ear is perfect. I think it's physiology in his case. We clean it regularly now, which he hates big time.

**dek** · 12-24-2011, 11:20 AM

I used Zymox on Koivu's last ear infection. You can search Zymox Otic on Amazon to see the different ones they offer - with and without steroid and a treatment vs. a wash. I'm not sure that this is better than the what the vet will give you, but it's another option to consider.
I also use a solution with gentian violet to clean Koivu's ears out semi-regularly (i.e. not as often as I should). The brand I get is K9 Ear Solutions. I buy it at the local holistic pet store, but I'm sure it's available online as well. Gentian violet is a very effective topical antifungal, so if the infections are caused by yeast this can help.

**mattgusmum** · 12-27-2011, 10:56 PM

Maybe if the Surolan isn't working this time you need to consider sending off a swab for C&S. Then you will know exactly what you are dealing with and what would be the most effective treatment.

**Labradorable** · 12-28-2011, 03:29 PM

Thanks everyone. Lots to consider.

Originally Posted by mattgusmum

Maybe if the Surolan isn't working this time you need to consider sending off a swab for C&S. Then you will know exactly what you are dealing with and what would be the most effective treatment.

He's had a swab sent in. It's yeast.

**kassabella** · 12-28-2011, 04:06 PM

Tess has yeast infections in her ears. She was bad when I got her and hasn't needed her ear drops for a couple of months.

Daily I used the Ei-Otic cleaner which I just squirt in and rub her ears, then ear drops. I can't remeber the ones we used when I first got her. As they cleared I was given another one called Canaural ear drops for maintance. I haven't had to put any in for months.

My vet seems to think it isn't food, but environmental allergy.

I didn't want to go the steroid route either and resisted until the vet explained if we do it short term we can get it under control and not need it. He says the steroid sprays or drops don't have the same effect as pred. Maybe the steroid and antiboitics helped enough for the ear drops to work as needed.