Yeast Infection in Ears

[Tadley58]

For the second time in 6 months, Belair my 16 month old Rottie, has begun to flop her head. For the second time we have been diagnosed with yeast infections in the ears. Had the ears irrigated last week now using drops in ears two times a day.

First question is : anyone else have this problem with thier Rottie?
and secondly is there anything preventative to do besides the goo in the ears from the vet?

Otherwise she is a happy healthy Rottie, just about 100lbs, eats Science Diet. Normal in every other way.............Would love any comments or suggestions.

Tadley

[AngelBunny]

Chronic ear infections can be an indication the dog is allergice to something in its diet. Many dogs are allergic to corn--which is one of SD's main ingredients.

I strongly encourage you to read the postings in Nutrition and Grooming. You'll get a significant education in canine nutrition and will learn about dog food. There are so many much better foods to feed than SD!

[Tadley58]

Thanks, will go there now to check on it. Thanks for the heads up

[brunie's mom]

The first thing to always look at is diet, when a dog has ear infections. It's the easiest thing to do, is to change to a better quality diet.
Avoid any food with corn, wheat or soya and any food that contains meat by-products.
Science Diet is overpriced, poor quality food.
Do some reading in the Nutrition & Grooming forum as anglebunny said, and get your dog on a meat based diet that contains humane grade meats.

I boarded an older dog over the holidays, and he came with a variety of pills and drops to be given. The dog was eating Beneful. The poor dog has itchy skin, runny eyes and a poor quality dry coat. I suggested they get their dog on a better diet, and he will not need most of the medications if they changed to a better diet. The owner's were surprised that the vet never even asked them what they were feeding...and did not realize that Beneful was an awful diet...full of corn, wheat and by-product meal as well as food coloring and sugar.
The vet was pushing the pills, to relieve the symptoms....but never even tried to think of what was causing the problems in the first place. The owner's were taking the dog to the vet, every 6 weeks or so with skin or ear problems.

Gina

[Tadley58]

I am going to look more into the allergy problems with the corn and soya products. I fed my dogs Beneful for a while and though they did not have skin and hair problems they certainly were not as beautiful as they are now. Belair is the kid of the group and I have just switched her from puppy food. I feed my older dog the SD +7 canned food because she was losing weight at age 15 and starting to look a bit ratty. She has gained a few pounds, and her spunk is back as well as looking pretty darn gorgeous for an old girl (Lab Queensland mix I found in a dumpster when she was about 2.5 to three weeks old).

Fortunately the ear thing is the only problem that my Rottie Belair has had, though does have diarrhea from time to time. So............the nutrition thing needs to be looked at harder.

I really appreciate you taking the time to reply. This is my first Rottie ( my husbands 4th!!!) and I am in love with my girl and now have become a champion of the breed!!! Hoping to find another kid once we get back to NC, so will be on the look out for some breeders on the East Coast.

Again thanks so much for your time.

Tadley

[Mookie's Mom]

My Roxie gets yeast infections 2-3 times a year. I never thought it was diet, and the vet never mentioned this either. I will have to look further into this and see if her food has corn or soya in it. This is very good to know! The yeast infections can be quite smelly too! Thanks for the good advice!

[brunie's mom]

It does not have to be full blown allergies. It can just be a sensitivity to corn,wheat or soya. Also make sure there are no meat by-products in the food...this indicates a poor quality food.

Gina

[Sam's Mom]

I had a resue that had constant ear infections (yeast). I changed his diet to Solid Gold and after undergoing a course of drops from the Vet began a regime with homemade drops a couple times a week. No more ear infections!
2 parts vinegar
1/2 part alcohol
a just a little tea tree oil
I would squirt a little in his ears rub the base of his ear (he loved that part) and then wipe the outer ear with a cotton ball.