Ear Infections

[Christine D]

Has anyone had any problems with ear infections with their rotti's?? The reason I ask is Boe keeps getting a infection in the same ear and only when it is damp out. I have had him to the vet and got medication for this she thinks he is just going to be prone to have them.

[AngelBunny]

What food are you feeding??

There is a connection between chronic ear infections and diet.

[Christine D]

We have him on Eukanuba I have been doing research on the barf diet and I am seriously thinking of switching him. The first time he got it was after we had rain for a week. The vet said he must of got moisture in his ear and it festered into an infection. We did the drops and cleaning but it seems like every 3-4 months it starts again. When we start doing the cleaning again everynight it clears up without the drops. The vet just checked it again a couple of months ago and she said it looked fine.

[Judi W]

Human swimmers use a 1/2 alcohol 1/2 viniger mixture before and after swimming to prevent swimmer's ear. The combination takes care of bacteria and yeast. A vet turned me on to that many years ago for a dog whose ear was resisting the normal vet stuff. It is excellent and I never had another problem with that dog (the only one I've ever had an ear problem with). If you have an existing issue, a couple of times a day for about 10 days or so and then weekly as maintence. Many of the drop eared dogs that have cronic ear gunk use this successfully.

[Christine D]

I have been using a 1/2 vinegar, 1/2 water mixture to clean his ears when I see him start to get gunk. It has helped so far, we haven't had to go back to the vet for drops. I haven't tried mixing with the alcohol, I'll have to try that next time he starts getting gunk.

[Judi W]

If you would use it on a regular basis with your grooming routine, they won't get gunky. It is much easier to maintain a healthy ear than to correct one that starts growing stuff

[brunie's mom]

Originally Posted by AngelBunny

What food are you feeding??

There is a connection between chronic ear infections and diet.

This is a very good point.
In another thread in the Nutrition&Grooming forums you said that you feed Brodie Eukanuba. This may be what is causing problems with his ears...as far as I am concerned...Eukanuba ( or Pukeanuba) is just a fattier version of Iams ...made by the same company Proctor&Gamble. The food contains corn and many other fillers that can be causing food reactions or allergies.

I would suggest, while you are researching feeding the BARF diet...you get Brodie onto a better type of kibble that has NO CORN or WHEAT...something like California Natural....their website is www.naturapet.com
You should be able to buy it in Calgary.

Hope his ear feels better soon.

Gina

[Luvs]

Originally Posted by Judi W

Human swimmers use a 1/2 alcohol 1/2 viniger mixture before and after swimming to prevent swimmer's ear. The combination takes care of bacteria and yeast. A vet turned me on to that many years ago for a dog whose ear was resisting the normal vet stuff. It is excellent and I never had another problem with that dog (the only one I've ever had an ear problem with). If you have an existing issue, a couple of times a day for about 10 days or so and then weekly as maintence. Many of the drop eared dogs that have cronic ear gunk use this successfully.

I am so glad that I saw this today! Keil is developing an ear infection. I will give this a try and see if it helps him.

[Christine D]

Actually I am in the process of researching the barf diet and I think I'm going to switch Boe. Thanks

[guberdog]

Cain had ear infections the first two years we had him. I finally changed him to Natural Balance Potato and Duck and he hasn't ever had a problem since. I don't know if the diet eliminated his allergies, but hey, it worked. It's worth a try. The only drawback, it's pretty pricey, and you have to go to Petco to get it, (close your eyes when you go by the ferrets!).

[HerculesMomma]

Originally Posted by Judi W

Human swimmers use a 1/2 alcohol 1/2 viniger mixture before and after swimming to prevent swimmer's ear. The combination takes care of bacteria and yeast. A vet turned me on to that many years ago for a dog whose ear was resisting the normal vet stuff. It is excellent and I never had another problem with that dog (the only one I've ever had an ear problem with). If you have an existing issue, a couple of times a day for about 10 days or so and then weekly as maintence. Many of the drop eared dogs that have cronic ear gunk use this successfully.

Is that rubbing alcohol? It won't burn their ears or anything will it? I was thinking about mixing up a batch as Hercules ears are still an ongoing project

[Brooke&Ryan]

Originally Posted by HerculesMomma

Is that rubbing alcohol? It won't burn their ears or anything will it? I was thinking about mixing up a batch as Hercules ears are still an ongoing project

Well it did with Julius but he had an infection brewing before we cleaned his ears with that solution.

I'm sticking with the Oticalm that we order from the vet.