Help with my dog's chronic ear infection?

Question

My dog is a black purebred standard poodle. He is eight years old and has had an almost constant ear infection in his right ear since he was a small puppy. We have had his ear surgically cleaned numerous times but the infection always returns, even if we treat it with drops and clean it daily. We have tried changing his diet also, but to no avail. We are considering having his right eardrum removed as a last resort to save him from the pain.

Does anyone know of a possible explanation/solution to his problem? I don't want to take out his eardrum but my mom says it might be the only way.

Answer 1

I wanted to answer this so bad yesterday but, I had already used up all of my answers. I have a 8 yr old Chocolate Lab that I feel saved my life when a pit-bull jumped my fence and came after me. For three years he had horrible ear infections because its tooth punctured his ear drum. He has a sensitive stomach an three years of meds to treat it created a stomach ulcer that made him almost bleed to death. My vet who is also a good friend recommended a total ear ablation. Yes, when it was all said and done it cost me over four thousand dollars. This dog is not only my best friend but, also my service dog. I have a muscle disease and he helps me stay independent. What i got in return was an almost eight year old dog that acts like he is a pup again. I was like you so afraid of causing more harm. Thank God, I did it. He is once again the dog he was before. He doesn't look any different unless you lift up the ear. He is out of pain and doing his job perfectly. Good Luck, I pray your experience is a wonderful as mine. Also, if an infection goes on too long the eardrum will burst, very painful !

Answer 2

Vinegar and alcohol are not appropriate to put in a dog's ear. I think that may be making the problem worse. Your vet is also charging a lot for an ear infection. Chronic ear infections can be tough to manage. Your dog probably needs daily or every other day cleanings with a cleaner you get from the vet to prevent them, not vinegar and alcohol. My vet has also given me the prescription antibiotic ointment to keep on hand for me to use when I see the first sign of infection so I don't have to run to the vet every time. We only go know when the infection gets bad and needs deep cleaning and oral antibiotics. So our vet costs are way down. And I'd shop for a vet that doesn't charge so much. Yours seems very high. I agree that allergies may be part of the problem and looking at food is a possibility. However my problem ear dog is not the one with allergies - my other dog is the one with allergies. Environmental allergies such as pollen can cause ear infections - my problem ear dog has more problems this time of year when pollen counts rise. Getting water in the ear can also cause it. Make sure your dog's ears are dry. Vinegar has a lot of water in it and is irritating. So is alcohol. That's why these may not be helping - they are too harsh for your dog's ear.

Answer 3

I have a nine yr/old female who had cronic ear infections since she was one yr old. At the age of 5, I stopped all of her vaccinations. She has not had an ear infection in the last 2 yrs. Vaccinations are good for many, many years and can cause this problem in some dogs.
Read the Wisconsin University web site
http://svmweb.vetmed.wisc.edu/articles/68/5/39
Then do some research on the net about this.

Answer 4

Please hear another vet before removing the eardrum. We had a similar but not so constant ear problem with our lab. It can be some allergically problem. When the infection come, I clean his ear everyday with an antibiotic solution. The secret is to reach the infection at the beginning, so you have to check everyday. We succeed in doing so.

Answer 5

My dog has the same issue. There are many causes. My pup has a thyroid condition that makes him suseptable to this condition. You might want to have his thyroid checked out. I spent thousand (literaly) of dollars, and still, the only so called cure for it, is to just keep it cleaned out with a 50/50 vinagar/water solution. It keeps the ears PH ballance at a level that is not hospitable for bacteria. Clean ear canal thouroughly, and rince with solution, but do NOT dry. Allow solution to disapate on its own. This is not a cure for the problem, but it makes it a lot more bearable for the dog. Give him a hug for me, and I hope it works out.

Answer 6

Try putting a few drops of Apple Cider Vinegar in the ear after bathtime to prevent the infection. There's a lot to be said for homeopathic treatments.

Answer 7

I don't know what to suggest to you. The only thing I can say is that if this was my dog, I'd be taking him to a holistic vet for their input before something as drastic as surgery. Hope you can help him. Have you talked to your dog's breeder to find out if they've had a similar problem in their line?

Answer 8

I don't know if this will help but my wee dog gets ear infections all the time because of the wind when we go for our walks. I hope this info. helps.

Answer 9

i have heard vets putting in a hole to let it drain and stop infections , you could talk to your vet or search on line

Answer 10

I believe a bit of lead in its ear may be the answer.