Unnaturally Dirty Ears - Page 2

I have been able to clear up but no matter what I do it seems to eventually return. Seems like this first started after I had been letting her swim in a local pond.

Bob-O, Without actually seeing the ears, it is a little difficult to make a suggestion, but I agree with several others here that the issue may, in fact, be related to a fungal infection. If antibiotics applied to the ear have not worked, sometimes systemic antibiotics might work if it is a bacterial infections. There are also systemic antifungals that might help. But, this can be caused by a lot of things, including food. However, if you change the pH of the skin, in this case, the ear canal, you may well help the situation. I would use an apple cider vinegar/isopropyl alcohol solution mixed 50/50. I would not add water and Brian suggests because in fact part of the problem is that the ears are not getting properly dried. Alcohol will dry them. The important thing is to make sure there is no breach of the ear drum first. I would use Otomax first to make sure there are no open sores present as this mixture will otherwise really sting. But after that, washing the ears out this way will make a difference if it is a fungal or constant bacterial infection. I am assuming there is no blockage of ducts between the sinuses, nose, etc. This too could be an issue. One can also try adding the apple cider vinegar to the food, but usually you have to disguise that. Good luck.

Thank you, everyone. I received a couple of private e-mails with more information. LMH, the dog has never had runny eyes or nose, as a matter of fact he has fewer problems overall than most of my other dogs, not that they have anything out of the ordinary-just the very rare hot spot. I would normally be the first to say that he has a weakened immune system, except in all other cases he is 100% healthy. His ears just produce a lot of wax. I have considered a switch from Royal Canin GSD Maxi 24 to Eagle Pack large-breed food, in order to see if the dogs tolerate it well. I sent D.H. a private e-mail concerning this matter, not about ears but other skin/coat issues, but have not yet heard from her. Psygod, on the three (3) occasions that one (1) or both ears became inflamed, twice it was a bacterial infection, and once it was a yeast infection. Bear in mind that until we recently moved, we lived near the Ozark National Forest and were surrounded on all sides by oak trees. These trees drop a tremendous amount of pollen in the late spring, which seemed to coincide with the timing of the ear infections. He is no longer exposed to that type of pollen in that quantity. Thanks again for the advice, everyone. I'll keep trying until I find a workable solution. Bob-O

Years ago I found out from a seasoned breeder and judge that a half teaspoon of boric acid powder in each ear a couple of times/week usually cleared this up. I tried it for one dog back in the 80's and it worked. I have also used panalog and that worked.

Thanks Preston. A colloidal silver solution was presented by someone who sent me a private e-mail, and I'll ask Dr. Forbus if she can find that when she next visits the health food store, as they sell homeopathic remedies. The final solution has to be a simple one, and may be rated to this dog's food, as well. I know that he will be happy when I can leave his ears alone, as that is the only part of his body that he is really touchy about and will really show his backside if anyone tampers with them. Bob-O

Hi, My 7 year old male had his ears washed out by the vet who sent samples to the lab. The verdict is a yeast infection which I was told could only be treated with anti-yeast tablets but that the amount needed to treat the ears would probably make him ill!!! I spoke to someone who uses homeopathic remedies. She recommended Colloidal Silver. We have been using this since Saturday and the rubbish is running out of the ear. I have been assured the treatment will clear the infection completely. The tablets are still with the vet! Jeannette.

Bob-O Can you let me know if yu find something that works? I have a bitch with the same thing going on. Since I got her I have been saying how nasty her ears are. She is an inside dog and kept rather clean compaired, to my other dogs. Yet her ears I clean regularly and they are still dirtier than my outside dogs. No foul smell or infection, just too much wax and kind of greasy. I've already tried different diets. Same results. Your description sounds the same so if you find something that works, hopefully it will work for us as well. She dislikes her ears cleaned but thankfully puts up with it for me. Anybody know where to find Colloidial Silver? I'll try the healthfood store.

As I said earlier, the colloidal silver sounds like a simple homeopathic remedy that I should try first, as there will certainly be no harm done. I have cleaned his ears this time as they have never been cleaned before, as I currently have the time, and guess what-they have never been cleaner. I tried a different approach this time. In the past I used the T-8 solution that is supposed to correct the pH level of the skin of the ear and help dissolve and loosen the wax so it can be shaken from the ear. This time, I am placing plenty of Vetamax in each ear and allowing it to "soak" for two days before I go in with the cosmetic pads and the swabs. This is a thin salve, and seems to work much better as it does not evapourate and is slowly dissolving the wax and allowing it to migrate upward. The Vetamax formulation requires a prescription, and is for bacterial and fungal and/or yeast infections of the ears. There was no apparent infection (just observation-no culture testing) this time (no shaking of the head or flopping of the ears that indicate pain) and while there was some odour it seemed to be caused by the heavy wax and filth, rather than the odours I have noticed in the past. The concensus seems to be either a vinegar/alcohol solution, a boric acid solution, a colloidal silver solution, or lastly and perhaps least what I am doing at the moment. I will advise in a new post whether I have been successful in a final solution, realizing there may never be one. Bob-O

Bob-O, Please check out this advisory about colloidial silver. I think you will find it enlightening. The other remedies are much safer and much more likely to be efficacious! Best wishes: http://nccam.nih.gov/health/alerts/silver/index.htm