home remedies for dog's ear infection?

Question

i live in a sub-tropical region, my dog has long droopy ears and is prone to ear infections. she gets it every week and a half. The vets have given us ear medicine, but she hates it and dosn't seem to work. normally i find that over time the infection cures itself, rather than going away with medication.

are there any home remedies to cure dog's mild ear infection?

Answer 1

The 'purple power ear solution' works beautifully for my dog.
We struggled with ear infections with her for some time before I found that recipe and began using it. The medicines the vet tried always irritated her ears terribly, but the purple solution doesn't bother her at all. She hasn't had an infection since then (we now have her on the once-a-month maintenance schedule-see the first link below).

It's a mixture of gentian violet, boric acid, and rubbing alcohol or witch hazel (I use a 50/50 mix of rubbing alcohol & witch hazel for my dog). All of the ingredients can be found at most drugstores or pharmacies.

These links have the recipe & directions:

http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/ears.html
http://www.weloveourlabs.com/Ear_Infection_and_the_Purple_Solution.html


Hope this helps!

Answer 2

If your pup has long ears ensure whenever you get a chance or are resting for example on the couch or bed with the pet that you flop the long ears back to allow air flow. When bathing prevent getting the inner canel of the ear wet. Also when using ear cleaner ensure not to overly use this as it can affect the ph level of your dogs ear. only use it if you have to (for example there is an infection)

If your dog is having re-incurring infections you might want to take a look at your local groomer, are they sterilizing their tools properly? if a dog has an ear infection and they do not sterilize their tools properly they can transfer an ear infection back to your dog.

I own my own spaniel and I have groomed my dog since puppy up and my pup has never had a ear infection since I got him. I always flip the ear flaps when he is in rest or I am at rest with him to allow for oxygen flow.

If you got to the vet ensure that anyone that touches your dogs ears has washed their hands, and are using sterile equipment it maybe seem rude, but it is more rude for them to touch your dogs ear with dirty tools or hands. When it comes to my money I don't care if I am rude, I like to keep it in my pocket.

Answer 3

The only cure for an infection is proper prescribed meds from a vet. However,there are many solutions available to PREVENT infections. Cooled steeped green tea makes a wonderful astringent when ears are swabbed with it. Diluted vinegar swabs also work well.Recurrent infections are often a sign of food allergies. You may want tp switch to a grainfree diet for your dog and see what happens. Good luck

Answer 4

Ear Cleaner Gentian Violet

INGREDIENTS

16 oz isopropyl alcohol
4 tablespoons boric acid powder
16 drops gentian violet 1%

Mix into plastic squirt type bottle. Shake solution every time you use it to disperse boric acid powder. The boric acid soothes the ear. Gentian violet is antiinfection agent.

TREATMENT: For initial treatment, if ears are very sore and inflamed, do not attempt to clean out at all, just apply solution and wait about 2 days to clean out. Flood ear, massage gently to count of 60, wipe out with tissue. Flood out again with first treatment, wipe again and don’t massage. Dog will shake out the rest. The gentian violet does stain, so maybe treat outside first time.

Treat 2x a day for the first week to 2 weeks depending on severity.
Treat 1x a day for the next 1-2 weeks.
Treat 1x a month or even less frequently depending on the dog.

Success of this treatment is about 95%. If infection persists, you might have bacteria. Then use flush of raw apple cider vinegar and warm water. Use 2 tablespoons of vinegar to 1 cup water 2 times per week.

Answer 5

does peroxide work as well?