Unnaturally Dirty Ears - Page 1

I have a 4 1/2 (four & one-half) year-old male who constantly has an issue with his ears. It seems that each ear overproduces earwax, and when combined with pollen and dust causes the insides of his ears to become filthy. This buildup of filth has led to past problems caused by an occassional bacterial or fungal infection. During three (3) occurrences over a three (3) year period ear mites were never present. When I notice some buildup, I typically pour a few drops of T8 solution in each ear twice per day and allow him to shake it clear. While this helps as a preventative it is not a full solution. The treatment salve for the bacterial or fungal infection is the same product-Vitamax. Compared to the T-8 solution, I have better luck using this to soften the wax so it will slowly migrate from each ear when he sleeps on his side. I follow with a daily wipe using cosmetic pads dampened with hydrogen peroxide, and carefully wiping deeper in each ear with a long cotton swab. Typical for my dogs, he is fed a premium dog kibble and supplemented with Norwegian kelp, a bit of brewer's yeast and garlic powder. I have no other dogs with this issue. Is there something missing from his diet for that I should supplement? This dog has deep pigment, and no skin or coat issues. I appreciate any advice that can be given. Bob-O

His diet sounds perfectly ok. Sometimes, like people, dogs hae an earwax problem. I have one dog that has the same issue - we go from clean ears to filthy icky ears almost overnight. I've been using a mix of 1/2 alcohol and 1/2 hydrogen peroxide - the same mix that you use for swimmers or divers ear. It seems to keep the inside dry, which in turn, seems to keep the amount of wax down. I use a damp cotton ball to treat the ear(s)-just enough to dampen the insides (I'm careful not to soak them because I don't want to take a chance on burning the tissues deep inside) I still have to monitor the ears but I seem to have far less problems than in the past. I've also started using the Neopretif powder to treat any lesions that may start - I figure the dryer I can keep it the better. Just a suggestion...

Have had the same problem over the years. The vet gives me medicine (have to look up spelling) but within weeks after stopping it the problem returns. This is basically a yeast infection. One solution is mix one tablespoon of boric acid powder with one pint of 91% alcohol. Use a baby bulb to flush ears twice a month or whatever the vet says. I also clean them out every month or so. If ears are raw it will hurt some until they heal up.

Hi Bob-- DesertRanger's reply sounds like a good answer. Since there's no possibility of ear mites, I'd probably think allergies involving the sinuses. The ear canals, sinus, even the eyes can be involved. Discharge has to take place. In humans, we blow our noses for relief. Dogs can have extra ear wax. I'd be interested in knowing---Does your dog have runny eyes, or mucous? I would probably keep an air cleaner where he sleeps, and make use of the air conditioner. flygirl55 is giving good advice about keeping the ear dry. Sounds like that same old immune problem, leading to allergies. As to the pollen and dust causing his ears to be filthier---they're probably the trigger thats sets off the allergic response. Looks like another Benadryl quick fix. I'd probably also supplement to boost his immune system.

Hello Bob, Sounds like your dog has an allergy of some sort. You may want to research canine food allergy ear infections. Have you had the ears swabbed and inspected to see if the culprit was a bacteria, fungus or mold? With some dogs the food actually causes the ear infection. You may find changing the diet will take away the ear allergy / infection ailment. When I have one as you have described, I use a solution 1/3 vinegar, 1/3 alcohol and 1/3 water to clean out the ears. Cleaning the ears twice a day for 1 week. Should clear it up. A friend uses tea tree oil to clear up his dogs, other use liquid ivomec in the ears. I have thought of using Dinovite when one of my dogs had this before. In my last case of ear infection, changing the diet and cleaning as described above, the infection went away and never come back. The information on Dinovite is at http://www.dinovite.com/dog-ear.html I hope this helps. Brian DeBow

Hello Bob, Also, in the solution of 1/3 vinegar, 1/3 alcohol & 1/3 water. Vinegar changes the level of PH inside the ear, that way bacteria or yeast can not survive. Alcohol dries the inside of ear out so the will not come back. I uses the bulb for flushing ears that you get at about any drug store or pharmacy for flushing human ears to remove ear wax buildup. Once the solution is in the ear, apply pressure on the outside of the ear to rub it around the inside of the ear, flush again and let the dog shake it out. Doing this twice a day will do wonders for improving the cleanliness of the ear. Once it is healed and cleaned up, if it comes back I would definitely check on the food allergy thing. Brian DeBow

I have a female that used to have ears that were chronic like that. I used perixide solution and panalog, then ottomax (sp) (they don't prescribe panalog for ears anymore). The ears would clear up then it came back. I bought a product at Petsmart called Veternarian's Best. It was a two part step with a wash then a drying powder. The ingredients were oil of clove,aloe vera,chamomile,tea tree oil,silica,and echinacea. I don't remember how often I cleaned her ears but I still have some of the dry stuff left so I didn't buy more I know that. Her ears cleared up and "never" got bad again. I don't know if it was luck or not but it worked for Willow.

Bob-o, for the mild fungal type infection you describe you could try wiping the ear daily with your cometic pad soaked in Betadine. That's about all I could offer in addition to all that you already do for this lucky dog. Hope he knows what a good dad he has. hope that helps. Best of luck.

Point of interest is that my female only has this problem in one ear. I may try the 1/3 water/alcoh/vin. next time. Boric acid can be hard to find.

I have a couple of dogs with the same problem.Have you tried switching foods. Sometimes its the corn, wheat or chicken. Anyhow last time it flared up, I cleaned them with Nolvasan ear cleaner and cotton balls. That seem to work this time.It seems different things work for different dogs. I have also used Animax ointment.