Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
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
I looked back through my saved Pet Tips and found one from Stacy in GA from last year, which uses vinegar and rubbing alcohol with water. It's pasted below:
Homemade Ear Cleaning Solution
I am a professional pet groomer, I hated spending so much money on ear cleaning solution. I researched a lot and came up with my own mix ,and it works great. Not only does it save me a lot of money, but I know all the ingredients it has in it.
I am a tech at a animal hospital and the best advice I could give you is seek a vet before it gets out of control. One other thing I would never ever mix the alcohol and vinegar. I understand the purpose of it is to bring the condition of the ear back to a normal PH level. I find that keeping the hair out of the ears (if they have any) by being plucked will keep infections done.
Can I use Campho-Phenique for yeast infection in my dog's ear?
By Cori H.
It is for cold sores, a virus, not for yeast. You would be better off using a small amount of monistat, or go to the vet as most sell the yeast creams and drops over the counter.
Hydrogen peroxide and vinegar would be better
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?
Hopefully you got my other answer as well.
Shih Tzus are one of those unusual breed of dog that were bred to be lap dogs. That means their purpose in life is to be pampered and cared for by people.
Their entire existence depends on their owners being able to provide for their care.
These pets require professional grooming and have frequent health problems that need to be addressed. They were literally made to be delicate and not hardy dogs.
It is necessary to have funds available if you are going to own this type of dog.
What should I do? My dog is shaking her head a lot. I'm thinking her ear is bothering her. Please help.
By Danielle
You dog probably has ear mites or possibly an infection in her ears. Either way, your veterinarian will test for the cause of the problem and provide treatment and medications. This is not something to wait and hope she improves as it will only worsen. The website from PetMD has more information:
www.petmd.com/
I want to know how to get zymox. I read it would help my dog's ears.
By Nancy L. Lutz from Smithfield, NC
Has a vet checked your dog's ears, given you a diagnosis and recommended Zymox treatment? You can order thru Amazon or go to Petsmart, PetCo, etc. for Zymox.
I've had enough too, been to the vet 3 times at a cost of $180.00 each time and she is no better. I'm done with the vet thing. The last time the vet told me if it got no better we needed to just take the ear off. OMG are you kidding me?
She is a 15 year old Jack Russell. It's only in 1 ear, it's swollen with puss and it itches so badly. We have been through rounds of antibiotics and ear ointments. Somebody's got to help me. I don't know where to take her; I've been to 2 different vets.
By Tammy
I have a beagle who has had ear problems for about 2 years. I have spent a fortune on him, and he has been miserable. Finally the last new vet I saw suggested it could be a food allergy. I started him on Nutro diet about 2 weeks ago and I think it is the solution. He is better. I mixed the Nutro with his regular food and have slowly increased the amount of Nutro (available at Petco and I imagine other places).
Also, I had some luck with spraying hydrogen peroxide into his ear. He doesn't like medicine being put into his ear - it is a struggle. I hope this helps (often it is the corn dogs are allergic to).
Does anyone know where to find the Daphne Oz recipe for a dog's ear relief? I believe it was for "garlic infused olive oil, but have not been able to find her article on this.
By Rita G. from Alfred, ME
i am interested in using a homeopathic remedy for a yeast infection in my dogs ears. How much vinegar and water, in what measurements, do I use for his ears?
By Nadine
Rather than mixing your own, I suggest a visit to onlynaturalpet.com. They have an ear wash with tea tree oil that is safe for dogs.
What is the exact formula of water, vinegar, and alcohol using cotton balls for yeast infected dog's ears? Is there a difference between apple cider vinegar and white vinegar?
By Pat
There is no way to treat an infection without antibiotics. Do not use vinegar or alcohol in your dog's ears. It will burn his ears and cause your dog a lot of stress and pain.
Your dog needs to see a vet. Changing the diet will help too. Give your dog lamb, duck and sweet potato. Stay away from grains, chicken and beef. Most dogs are allergic to chicken and beef cause of all the stuff the farmers give them then dogs eat the meat with all the junk in it, like antibiotics, hormones, corn just to name a few.
Is there a home remedy for a dog's ear infection?
By kathy from CT
Please take your dog to a vet so that an ear infection can be properly diagnosed and treated. Untreated ear infections in dogs can lead to seizures, other serious health issues, and potentially, death.
While I am a fan of many home remedies for both people and pets, infections are not something to experiment with. Good Luck.
My dog has a bad ear infection. It is swollen. I need a home remedy please?
By Sarah from Sumrall
ThriftyFun is one of the longest running frugal living communities on the Internet. These are archives of older discussions.
Monistat for Dog Ear Infections. My beagle suffers from ear infections so often and it was getting to expensive to keep going to the vet, so I read that Monistat for women will work.
I have a 14 1/2 yr old Cocker. Her ear flap is covered again in black crud and the ear canal red and moist.
How can I get rid of fungal infections in dog's ears?
For those of you looking for help with your dog's ear infections, it's probably yeast. It could be bacterial, but I'd treat for yeast first if dollars are short, and they always are at my house.
I have a 6 year old Lab/Pit mix. He has had chronic ear infections for about 3 years. I have taken him to multiple vets.
Anyone with a good treatment for Cocker Spaniel with chronic ear infection? I am using something new, from Jeffers.com, called Vetericyn Wound Treatment.
My Cocker Spaniel has severe yeast infections in his ears. They are recurring. He is six years old and we have had him for three of those years.
What is the mixture for the vinegar and water to help with a ear infection?
My Cocker Spaniel has had a horrible yeast ear infection for 3 months. We have made many trips to the vet, spent $700+ and the ear is still stinky, draining, etc.
My 7 year old pug Butch has been having problems with yeast infections in his ears for about 2 years now.
Our Basset hound has an awful ear infection that keeps recurring. It is fungus/yeast based and the doctors just can't find the right medication for him. Any suggestions?
What is a home remedy for yeast infections in dogs ears?
I'm looking for a natural cure for ear infections in my two dogs.
I have a 7 year old Basset Hound who has had chronic ear infection for the majority of his adult doggy life. I have taken him to the vet every time and they give me antibiotics and drops.
I have a chow mix with a bad ear infection. It has had antibiotics and they are not working. Does anyone know of a good home remedy I can try?
I came here for some natural healing advice for my dog who was going through a fungal skin problem. I tried a lot of the tips I received and it cleared up!
My dog has a painful ear infection, however I cannot use any anti-biotics to treat him because he has cancer and that would be like throwing gasoline on a fire.
