ear infections

3152 Views 7 Replies 5 Participants Last post by shallhb, Dec 26, 2006

shallhb

Discussion Starter · Dec 24, 2006

One of my dogs, Bella, has had several ear infections. Unfortunately, she's allergic to the only topical medicine my vet seens to use--Otomax. His alternative has been to put her on antibiotics. This does eventually clear up the problem, but I'd like to find something topical I could do prevent the infections. Any suggestions?

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AmyB

· #2 · Dec 24, 2006

When Spencer was a pup he suffered from several bad ear infections. The vet recommended I begin using a drying solution. I did & he has not had a single ear infection since (he is now 10 1/2 years old). We currently use "Epi-Otic." It can be purchased from the vet, but it is not a prescription & I usually order it from KV Vet supply. I use it weekly on him - put some solution in each ear, massage them & then let him shake. Besides preventing ear infections, it also helps to keep his ears clean. Hope this helps.
Amy

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Betsy Iole

· #3 · Dec 24, 2006

Has she been cultured--maybe the bugs are no longer sensitive to the Otomax?

Lots of people swear by that "Blue Power" stuff. Haven't tried it, so can't speak from personal experience. I use a 50:50 solution of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol. I've tried some of the commercial ear cleaning preparations and have not been as satisfied with those as with the vinegar:alcohol solution. I heat it to body temp in the microwave and the dogs don't mind it--too much

. You'd need to experiment to see how often you'll need to clean her ears.

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shallhb

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 24, 2006

Has she been cultured--maybe the bugs are no longer sensitive to the Otomax?

Lots of people swear by that "Blue Power" stuff. Haven't tried it, so can't speak from personal experience. I use a 50:50 solution of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol. I've tried some of the commercial ear cleaning preparations and have not been as satisfied with those as with the vinegar:alcohol solution. I heat it to body temp in the microwave and the dogs don't mind it--too much . You'd need to experiment to see how often you'll need to clean her ears.
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Thanks Betsy--whether the bugs are sensitive to Otomax or not, she certainly is. Just cannot tolerate it. Red, inflamed ears after using it. Our vet says it happens occasionally. I think I"ll give your recipe a try--the Blue Power stuff may be effective, but it sounds like a mess.

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murraysmom

· #5 · Dec 24, 2006

I don't know if this will help or not, but the only thing that Murray can tolerate is DermaPet, which I get from the vet. Before I started using it he was prone to yeast problems in his ears, since I started using it weekly 3 1/2 years ago his ears have been perfect.

It's Hypo-Allergenic, and the only thing that doesn't cause a horrible reaction of painful red ears.

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shallhb

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 25, 2006

I don't know if this will help or not, but the only thing that Murray can tolerate is DermaPet, which I get from the vet. Before I started using it he was prone to yeast problems in his ears, since I started using it weekly 3 1/2 years ago his ears have been perfect.

It's Hypo-Allergenic, and the only thing that doesn't cause a horrible reaction of painful red ears.
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Thanks for that, too Murraysmom. I"m going to try the alcohol and vinegar, and if that doesn't work, as our vet about this product. Funny thing is, she doesn't seem allergic to the clear, it's the otomax--the stuff you use after you clean the ears that she can't tolerate. I'm just hoping that if I can keep her ears clean, we can avoid needing the Otomax or an antibiotic.

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Barbara Winters

· #7 · Dec 26, 2006

Sharon,

I think alcohol can be painful and irritating to ears that are already painful, red or irritated. After using that mixture, Oti-Clens, & R7 for many years, I found a product Oti-Calm that was less irritating, smelled better and I no longer had to chase any of my dogs around the house when they saw the bottle.

OtiCalm is an astringent, general cleansing formulation for use in ears of cats and dogs. OtiCalm Ear Solution is recommended for routine cleansing and drying of moist or waxy, dirty, and mildly exudative ear canals. For long-term control of mild recurrent otitis externa. Formulated with an effective drying agent for moist ear canals after routine bathing or swimming and ideal for post treatment after use of a ceruminolytic agent and flushing solution. OtiCalm helps to control odor associated with otitis externa. Alcohol free to reduce irritation.[/b]

More info at oticalm.com

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shallhb

Discussion Starter · #8 · Dec 26, 2006

Sharon,

I think alcohol can be painful and irritating to ears that are already painful, red or irritated. After using that mixture, Oti-Clens, & R7 for many years, I found a product Oti-Calm that was less irritating, smelled better and I no longer had to chase any of my dogs around the house when they saw the bottle.

More info at oticalm.com
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Thanks for the product and the link, Barbara. The list has given me several products that my vet hasn't mentioned, and I noticed that they're considerably less expensive than what we've been get at his office. Sure would be a relief not to have to chase them all over the house.

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