My dog keeps on getting ear infections-why?

Question

My dog is 3 years old, a medium size and a *****. After about a year and a half she started to moan and stratch her ear. She would cry if we touched it. we took her to a vet, who told us it was just a build up of wax, she had to clean it out, so she sedated my dog, she was that bad!
she still crys about her ear, it looks sore, but i cant afford 75.00 every time i take her to the vets to be given advice that isnt working and some spray which isnt helping the soreness.
Ive taken her 3 times to the vet already. any advice that could actually work
please help!!!!!!!!

Answer 1

Be really careful to not get water in her ears when you bathe her.

Keep her ears clean by gently cleaning them with a moistened cotton-swab (Q-Tip) and clean them frequently. If she's getting build up to the extent that the vet has to clean them, you're not cleaning them frequently or well enough.

Answer 2

My b.... has finally been diagnosed as being allergic to dust mites ,house dust & yeast.
She had a really stinky ear & finally through trial & error we have it sussed.
I,m also keeping her off all products with wheat in it so she's being fed James Wellbelove duck & rice kibble.
She also has ear drops now only once a week malacetic otic which is an ear cleanser bought from the vets I belive you can buy it without seeing a vet.
I had pet insurance to pay for all my dogs treatment.
I think you should take her back, is their a PDSA or RSPCA clinic
near you they may be cheaper.
Best of luck

Answer 3

Ear problems are quite common in dogs and usually, the problem is an infection of the ear canal (otitis). Most ear infections tend to be on?going problems that keep coming back again and again, causing frustration to owners and pain to the pet. The key to successful management of ear infections is to determine the cause and try correct it, or try to prevent ear infections before they start. Consult your veterinarian about the possible causes of otitis, which can include allergies, mites, infections, moisture and foreign bodies..



To prevent your dog from getting recurring ear infections, you should monitor your dog's ears weekly for potential problems. If necessary, use a commercial ear cleaner available from your veterinarian because these solutions both clean and dry out the ear canals. Rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, mineral oil, or water should never be used to clean the ears.

Answer 4

If she is still suffering she should really see the vet again. She may need to be put under a general anaesthetic for a thorough examination. It could be ear mites or another parasite in her ear or even a foreign object. It really cannot be left.

I don't know where your from, but have you heard of the PDSA. The free veterinary care provided for owners who cannot afford private vet fees. You should be able to find your local dispensary on the internet.

This is usually for people who don't have their own vet but if you explain you can't afford the fees they should treat your dog.

I hope you get it sorted.

Regards

Mag

Answer 5

My dog suffers from ear infections quite regular, its usually dogs with floppy ears hat suffer from this problem as the air can not get in to help break up the wax i use drops called canaural and these help a treat also i know there is a clear liquid that you can buy from your vets and it helps keep the ear free from infection. You use it twice daily. not sure what its called tho sorry!

I also asked this question as my American bulldog gets infection on a regular basis

Answer 6

My dog have on going problems with his ears. Dogs with floppy ears suffer most as the ear covers the ear canal and prevents the air from getting in. Try and clip any hair from around the ear canal. My dogs problem is a yeast infection and he his diabetic which makes infections longer to heal. It is frustrating. Your dogs symtoms sound the same as my dog. Canural is ok for a short fix and works well but ask ur vet if you can have some SUROLAN. If I was you I'd also change my veternary clinc as £75 seems far to much. Mine charge from £9.50 - £15
consultation fee and medication is next to nothing. At my clinc I'm able to get ear treatment from the reception and no need to see a my vet.

Answer 7

You need to get the vet to show you how to clean her ears, and what to use, and you need to do it every day. And get some dog toothpaste and clean her teeth as well.
Also, get her teeth checked; she could have a problem with one of the teeth on the same side as the problem ear, a bad tooth can trigger off ear infections. Thats a possibility when the ear infection repeatedly affects one side and not the other.

Answer 8

Canaural drops helped my Alsatian. He used to get infections all the time. You could see yellow puss in his ears but the drops has fixed him up. Frankly i have never heard of a wax build-up in a dogs ears, strange that, but next time you visit your vet, or change your vet for a change and mention the drops ok.:)) Good luck i feel so sorry for your dog and you, cost a lot of money taking your pets to the vet.

Answer 9

it would help if you mentioned the breed. Certain breeds are prone to ear infections and clipping the fur away from heavy ears may help. Otherwise if it is a recurring problem she may need an aural section where they cut away part of the ear canal to helo air flow. If you cannot afford to care for the dog, you will have to rehome her. Keeping her in agony is not an option.

Answer 10

If the problem keeps recurring, it's most likely ear mites or an infection. This a fairly common problem with some dogs.
A reputable pet store can provide you with a good eardrop cleaning product. Use the product faithfully and do not deviate from the instructions.
Hope this helps.