Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I have a home remedy that lots of people swear by to cure the smelly black hard clumps in my Poodle's ear. It includes boric acid. Is this boric acid the same as what kills rodents or is it a different boric acid? I have the powder boric acid, will this suffice or should I have liquid from the pharmacy?
By Latonya W.
Could it be that the dog has ear mites? The mites' excretment is what causes the black stuff. I would have the vet check it first to see what you are dealing with.
How much Vagisil do you use for severe infections in the ear?
By samnatha from Corning, CA
I am not sure Vagisil will do anything for the infection but stop the itching. But Monastat will, if the dog has a fungal infection. You can get the drug store brand, and it will work just as well.
I tried vinegar and water and it hasn't helped much. Is there any other suggestion for topical treatments?
By Vince
Many long-eared dogs are prone to yeast infections. If this is the case with your dog, you could try over-the counter products used to treat women's vaginal yeast infections, such as Monistat (I buy the generic version).
I would offer the following advice: Stop feeding soy, wheat and corn. Diamond makes a good line of foods that have none of these items in them. You can buy in bulk and save money.
I used Otic Hc 1.0 enzymatic solution, but the ear infection still won't leave. I want to try a home treatment like rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide.
By Jack C.
I take it you got this at a drug store or pet store? Do you know whether your dog has a yeast, fungal, or bacterial infection? Have you taken your dog to the vet for a proper diagnosis?
Neither rubbing alcohol or peroxide will do anything at all for your dog. Your dog has been in discomfort for a while now. Please take him to the vet for the correct diagnosis of the infection and for antibiotics.
I have a 6 year old Pit Bull/Lab who has yeast infections in his ears. I want to use the vinegar, but he will not let me touch them; he runs. Any ideas on how to get him to let me touch them?
He is a very timid dog since all this and I don't want to get bitten. I have tried the vet thing and wow the money I have spend for it to go away for a few months and come back again. They will not give meds without you coming in even when you have been there for years and they know the dog's history. I can't afford any more bills. I have 2 kids and a husband out of work.
By michele from Nashville, TN
When we have to put drops in our lab's ears, it takes two of us. My husband holds the dog (he kind of hugs it real close), and I put the drops in. I've also started putting a couple of tablespoons of yogurt in the dog's food every day, and this seems to have stopped the ear infections. You have to use the real yogurt with live cultures, that comes in the larger tub, not the kind mixed with fruit, etc.
We have an 11 yr. old male Maltese who keeps developing ear infections. The vet bills are expensive, and since we are on a fixed income we have to look for alternative ways of treating his infections.
In the past the vet has given him Otibiotic Ointment. Can anyone offer a possible alternative treatment that works?I need to tell you first that I am NOT a vet... however I have successfully treated ear infections in both my family members and our animals using the following home remedy;
Put half a cup of olive oil in a small saucepan (top of a double boiler is even better). Peel a large clove of garlic, and put it on a cutting board. Smash it with the flat side of a knife, and put it into the olive oil. Heat it very gently for about five minutes, stirring it around in the oil. Do not get this really hot. You don't want it to sizzle at all.
Remove garlic from the oil and let it cool. When it is lukewarm (test it on your own wrist, just like you're bottle-feeding a baby), take an eyedropper and place a couple or three drops in your pets ear. Massage gently to work it down into the ear.
I usually do this twice a day until the infection clears. You can use the same oil, warming it in a custard cup set into a larger bowl of warm water, but always make sure you clean the dropper very well between uses with hot soapy water and a good rinse.
Hope this helps!
My dog's ear usually stand up. One is down and a little pink, is this an ear infection?
By pat from Landing, NJ
Has he been scratching the ear ? (That might be why it is pink.) Does the interior of his ear smell? Either of these could indicate a problem. It's always good to check with your vet.
What is the ratio of alcohol, vinegar, water for yeast infection in dogs ears?
By Gail G
Is there a home made solution for dogs ear infections?
By Vonny
I highly recommend taking your dog to the vet to get an answer to your question. Often what's going on in a dog's ears may not need to be treated with antibiotics. He/she could have allergies, or dirt and oily build-up which a mere ear cleanse and cotton wipe on a regular basis, could cure.
Just like with humans, we have to keep the ears clean or we'll have problems. Our pets rely on us to clean their ears since they can't do it themselves. Don't try to diagnose the problem yourself, let a professional tell you what route to take. Trying remedies on your own could make the problem worse.
Why does my female dog keep getting an ear infection?
By Geraldine
Some dogs have ear infections because of the food they are eating. They can be allergic to something in the food which can cause a yeast or bacterial in their ears. I would have the vet look at your dog and see if this is actually your problem. Furthermore, you can try changing the brand of dog food you are buying to see if this one helps. Try getting a dog for for dog with food allergies.
I have a Black Lab. She has an ear that is smelly and has gunk in it. Can you help me with a home remedy treatment?
Your dog obviously has a problem-infection, fungus, etc. However, you do not know what it is or how to treat and resolve the problem. Please take your dog to your vet for help-he may need medication for the ear. It is also possible he may have another condition not related to the ear itself and may need different treatment. Please do not wait as your dog is suffering.
My dog scratches her ear very hard. When I look in her ear she has some black particles inside. She also has some red dots in her ear. I would like to try the home remedies, but can you tell me how much of each product I should use in her ear?
By Nilsa
Clean the ears with a Q-tip moistened with baby oil. Discard the Q-tips carefully because the mites will survive this. Don't go too deep into the ear! When the ear is as clean as you can get it, carefully put a dropper of 3 parts water and 1 part vinegar. Do this every day until she has no more symptoms. You may have to treat again so keep watch. It's O.K. if the vinegar/water runs out. Just going in is what is important.
I have a 5 month old Lab/Rottweiler. I just recently found out my pup had an ear infection in one of his ears. At first I noticed he was scratching his left ear until he'd let out a tiny cry, but he'd continue and was constantly doing it. A day or two after that I noticed that he started to smell awful in his ear. I figured that can't be good. I've been cleaning it out every day or two as best as I could with Q-tips and a warm wash cloth and keeping it as dry as possible.
Thank you.
We've been to vet for antibiotics, drops, and even laser treatment, but my pup can't shake her ear infections! Can someone please help? There has gotta be some home remedy, something I'm missing.
When antibiotics aren't working, try probiotics in the food. This helps boost your dog's immunity so she can hopefully kick the infection on her own. Good luck.
Waldo has an ear infection and has been treated twice in one month by the vet. It is much better. There is some infection still there and some puss. What else can I do?
By Tracie
My suggestion is as long as the medicine the vet is providing your pet works; continue using it until it is cleared up. Then, use Blue Powder Ear Wash on a regular basis. Right now while there is puss in the ear is not a good time to do the ear wash treatment. Never use this ear wash with other ear medicines at the same time.
You can do a google search on this ear wash and it's very inexpensive to make and lasts a long time. I use it regularly on my long eared dogs and none of them have any ear infections. Just pour into the ear and massage a minute and wipe excess with cotton balls. All you use is boric acid in powder form, isopropyl alcohol and gentian violet and always mix well before using each time. Directions are on TF and other websites.
When we took our dog to the vet for an ear infection, He gave us a bottle of Oxyfresh ear wash to use after we were done giving him his medication. He said to put the ear wash in his ear every week or two to prevent another infection. I googled Oxyfresh ear wash, and you can buy it online.
Agree with FARSTAR -time for a callback to your vet. Meds may have to be adjusted.
I've read the raves about how good this works, but I have not found how much of each to use. Do you use do you mix the vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and water together? I need some guidance please.
By Kathy P
Hi Kathy, This tip from dlginlove was posted yesterday. I saved it in a file and am pasting it below for you. It uses hydrogen peroxide, then switches to rubbing alcohol.
Ear Infection Treatment For Dogs
My dog had a constant ear problem (2 years) that even a round of antibiotics didn't cure. I tried every reasonable treatment recipe I could find on the net. I switched veterinarians and this guy knew the fix. People would come from the other side of the state to have him treat their dogs ears. It must be followed consistently, every day:
Step One: Put approximately one tablespoon (enough to fill their ear canal) hydrogen peroxide in their ear for seven days in a row. I used a long eyedropper.
Step Two: Put one tablespoon of rubbing alcohol in their ear for seven days in a row.
I cannot stress enough that this must be followed as written, do not combine both treatments at the same time. The hydrogen peroxide treats one type of infection and the alcohol treats another.
If your dog is yelping in pain take her to the vet and get antibiotics before starting this regimen. On the last day of treatment my dog actually wagged her tail. Pain free at last!
By dlginlove from MO ThriftyFun.com 3-12-13
Can I use Campho-Phenique for yeast infection in my dog's ear?
By Cori H.
Can you use Monistat in a dog's ear instead of Mometamax? I can't afford a vet.
By Dianne
Here is the link to make Blue Power Ear Wash for dogs that really works and keeps them fresh smelling.
You can get the boric acid powder at Family Dollar a great deal cheaper that is used for killing ants. It's pure boric acid; no additives.
Gentian violet can be purchased at the pharmacy dept.
I like to use the green alcohol at Family Dollar because it smells fresh and has a pleasant scent.
I use this homemade recipe on my cocker spaniels and they have been ear infected clear; just follow directions. Scroll to bottom of page on this link to find the recipe. Good luck!
www.vkwrottweilers.com/
It also depends on what kind of ear infection your dog has. It could be a yeast infection or a bacterial infection, which means they would be treated differently.
Every fall for 4 years my dog has gotten fluid in her ears and it's not mites. I had a vet look at her ears and he said there was no infection. You rub her ear and you can hear the fluid.
She tears at her ears all winter, but in the spring it clears up and is fine all summer. They don't smell, but there is a lot of build up that I clean out every other day, but it only works for a day or two. Any ideas?
By Melissa from Portland, OR
Melissa, I'm surprised your Vet doesn't offer any ideas. I am a retired nurse. For dogs, as with humans, leaving water in the ears can turn into "Swimmers Ear" or Otitis Media (middle ear infection). Your observation is correct in that if there is no odor - there's no infection going on. Infections need a dark, warm, and wet environment, and some bacteria to survive. Perhaps your dog is avoiding these conditions due to your stringent nursing care. Good girl!
My Molly is 11 and has had one infection in those years, however I have been prone to them and this is what I do for me. And like I said, works well on dogs too: If you are sure there is no smell (no infection going on), put a drop or 2 of hydrogen peroxide in each ear and allow it to "work" - bubble. When it stops (about 5 mins) I tilt my head to allow it to drain (you could swab his ear out with a cotton ball if that's easier) and then I put a drop or two of rubbing alcohol in each ear. I use a cotton ball and squeeze a drop or 2 of the alcohol in. It dries the ear up almost immediately, stopping the wet environment that causes infection to start up. You might want to skip the peroxide step if there is no smell since the peroxide tickles like crazy and your dog might hate this!
This method works extremely well and *knock on wood* I have avoided infection using this procedure the minute I felt a little twinge over the years. Good luck, hope it helps!
I would give your dog people benadryl pills 25mg. each, one per 10lb of weight. one every 4 hours, they will not hurt your dog just make it a little sleepy and it will dry up what is in the ear. I would not use peroxide it will drive your dog crazy in their ear. the vet will probably give u an ointment to use in their ear. the benadryl will help with pain and fluid. bettywickline 069 AT aol.com
I have a 5 year old Shih Tzu and she constantly has this ear infection. I don't know what to do. I don't have any money to take her to the doctor. What can I do?
What should I do? My dog is shaking her head a lot. I'm thinking her ear is bothering her. Please help.
By Danielle
I want to know how to get zymox. I read it would help my dog's ears.
By Nancy L. Lutz from Smithfield, NC