How do you recommend I clean my dogs ears?

Question

The vet said her ears smelled yeasty and suggested that we buy an ear cleaning product from the pet store. But these things are pricey and I would like a home remedy if anyone has one and how do I clean them? I don't want to hurt her.

Answer 1

Vineger and water : Vinegar $.28 a quart water free.
good ole acidic apple cider vinegar is good stuff.

Answer 2

You can use hydrogen peroxide some and a Q-tip and triple antibiotic to clean with. Also there is a mite drop for ear mites and you can smell them. Also just a Q-tip and baby oil sometimes but you must be careful and thorough. Don't clean too good. They do need some of that **** in there to stop insects and dust. You can buy an over the counter yeast infection medicine to put in there also that is not so pricey. I've never experienced yeast in my dogs's ears.

Answer 3

Why are they smelly? Mites? Yeast? Did your vet do a smear to determine what it was? Cleaning won't eliminate the problem if you don't determine the cause. If it is mites, you'll need prescription medication. If it is yeast, the following works very well:
16 oz. bottle witch hazel
4 tablespoons Boric Acid Powder
16 drops Gentian Violet 1% Solution (Ask for it at a pharmacy like RiteAid, CVS, etc. It's cheap and you don't need a prescription, but they do keep it behind the counter.)

Mix all ingredients in the witch hazel bottle and shake. (make sure you shake before every application). Fill ear with solution & massage gently for 30 seconds and wipe with a tissue. Fill a second time and just wipe without massaging. The dog will shake the excess out. Be careful, the Gentian Violet WILL stain. You can use an eye dropper to fill the ear.

Treatment:
2 times per day for the first 2 weeks
1 time per day for the next 2 weeks
1 time per month thereafter

This has worked wonders for my wire fox terrier who has suffered with chronic otitis for years. I used gallons of Otomax without success, and this really helped. Hope it helps you!

Answer 4

The ear cleaners are not pricey and they do last for a long time. Buy one from the Vet. There is no home remedy and remember it could turn into a really bad infection and than you have to get antibiotics. Please don't use monistat, that is so ridicules that stuff is not made for dogie ears.

Answer 5

No.
The stuff from the store isn't that expensive. Call your vet up and ask him for a brand name. I'm actually a bit surprised that if it's a yeast infection, that he didn't give you something specific for her. Stay away from anything alcohol based. If your dog has a cut, it hurts like hell.

I rescue Bloodhounds. Ears aren't something you do home remedies on.

Answer 6

I have a poodle and to avoid the rotten ear smell we keep her ears plucked, use q-tips, and hydrogen peroxide to home-clean them in between groomings. Be careful with the q-tips and avoid pushing them too deep in the dogs ear as this may cause damage.

Answer 7

they sell wipes for ears at most pet stores or supermarkets for $3-5 if not use a wet warm paper towel and some mild soap! but not to much soap....and then wipe clean with a damp cloth...make sure the ears arent left wet this could cause more problems

Answer 8

If it has yeast in it's ears, you probably don't want to use mineral oil because yeast loves a moist environment to grow in...I suggest dipping (not dripping wet just moisten) a cotton ball (squeeze out extra) in 1 part vinegar and 1 part alcohol) barely moisten enough to just rub the dirt out. You should do this every day till you see an improvement.

Answer 9

If it is a yeast infection... The medicines like Monistat that women use will work for your dog. Just get one of the 7 day ones, and put some of the meds in your dogs ears... It will clear up the yeast infection.

Good luck.

Answer 10

I use a thin wash rag around my finger and dab rubbing alcohol on it, it help keep th ear canal dry, if you get water in their ear they can get an infection, that can be painfull for your dog and your wallet.