Adriana (Diamond Bar, California) on 03/29/2009:
Dog's Chronic Ear Infection Cured!
I have a sixteen month old Lhasa Apso who started getting ear infections around 6 months of age. In the past year she has seen the vet 4 times for her ear infections. I would administer the prescribed anti-biotics exactly as directed until the medication ran out. However, the infection kept coming back, ans spread from the right ear to both ears. It killed me to see her in pain all the time, stopping to scratch and pound at her ear every few minutes. Also, the smell was very rancid and almost unbearable. I was afraid that some sort of surgery might be necessary to correct the problem. THEN I found Earth Clinic. I read the dozens of post regarding ACV and pets. After a few days of research I decided to give it a try.
I bought organic apple cider vinegar from my local health food store. I emptied the contents of the squirt bottle full of solution from the vet and washed and dried it. I put 1/3 ACV and the other 2/3's distilled water. I then put the mixture in both ears, dried out the ears with a kleenex, then put a squirt of pet ear powder (that I bought from the pet supply store) in each ear to absorb all excess moisture.
I have to be honest, as soon as I put the mixture in her right ear she thrashed and banged her head against the couch and itched at it for a good 10-15 minutes. HOWEVER, within an hour I noticed she had stopped itching her ears. The next day she had completely stopped itching her ears and the odor was gone. I repeated the process on day 2 and 3 and I am confident that the ACV has treated her ear infection. I stopped after 3 days. A week has passed and she no longer pounds her head on the couch or hits at her ears. I am a firm believer in the power of ACV and have started taking it internally myself.
Please note, I noticed that after I administered the ACV my dog started to pant and seemed very dehydrated. I made sure that she drank plenty of water during the 3 days of treatment.
Not only will this method save me hundreds of dollars in doctors visits and prescription cost, but I no longer have to see my lil girl in discomfort and pain due to chronic ear infections. THANK YOU so much earth clinic and all of you who have posted your experiences!!! Give ACV a try!
Holly (Easton, PA) on 03/08/2009:
My poor Cocker Spaniel suffered for about 5 years with chronic ear infections, nothing else helped for the long term until using a mixture of equal parts, white vinegar, water & alcohol, (vinegar kills, water dilutes, and alcohol dries). I always had a bottle on hand to use at bath time, if I smelled that familiar odor or if I noticed him shaking or rubbing his ears on the floor. A little squirt massaged into the ear and the excess moisture wiped out of the ear canal. My dog was not fond of the process, he too would shake his head and rub his ears for a few minutes afterwards, but chronic Ear Infections are far worse. I swear by this stuff. In addition, I kept his ears trimmed to prevent them from retaining moisture, and used a water bowl that kept his ears out of the water. View Entire Thread
Brook (Somerdale, NJ) on 02/08/2009:
Apple Cider Vinegar got rid of my dog's ear infections:
I took my Lab to the vet because he had a smelly ear infection in both ears. The vet gave me 3 different products for his ears.($$$) He told me it was very severe and it was yeast. When I got home and thought about the situation, I decided to try something natural first. I diluted the apple cider vinegar and washed out his ears the first day and then used a cotton ball soaked in diluted ACV the next couple days and it was gone-no redness, no smell, and he stopped scratching at his ears. I got rid of the products from the vet and now if he goes for a swim I wipe out his ears with the ACV.
EC: APPLE CIDER VINEGAR -- AND WATER. One part ACV to two parts water seems about right.
CHARLIE (FT. SMITH, AR) on 12/20/2008:
CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP!! MY DOG HAS A BAD EAR INFECTION. HE HAS BEEN TO THE VET A FEW TIMES ALREADY AND BEEN ON 3 DIFFERENT ANTIBIOTICS.
BETWEEN VET VISITS I TRIED THE APPLE CIDER VINEGAR IN THE EARS, BUT IT DIDN'T HELP. TOLD THE VET ABOUT THE ACV TREATMENT AND HE SAID THAT WOULD ONLY HELP WITH CERTAIN TYPES OF INFECTION. HAVE SPENT A SMALL FORTUNE AND NOTHING HAS HELPED.
I HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT PUTTING SOME IODINE DROPS IN THE EARS TO SEE IF THAT WOULD HELP, BUT HAVEN'T YET.
ANYONE EVER TRIED IODINE IN THE EARS BEFORE?
ANY SUGGESTIONS??????????????
THANK YOU..........
Laura (Cambridge, Ontario, Canada) on 12/06/2008:
I have a 3 yr old labradoodle. He has had nasty ears for as long as I can remember, especially after her goes swimming in the lake.
A friend told me about ACV a few years back and it has become a routine in our house. When he starts to shake his head a lot, and I ask him if he needs his ears cleaned he will go and actually get the bottle off our island shelf and bring it to me. If it is a full bottle, he will just bring the papertowels (since they are lighter). If I ever pull out the ACV for any other reason, he gets all excited and sits like a good boy waiting for a cleaning (even if he doesnt really need one). Amazing how greatful he is for the stuff!! I use full strength. I dip my finger in it and then rub it in his ear - let it sit for a second then wipe it out with paper towel. Scout wont let me use q-tips or cotton balls. I find using my finger gives me a chance to get into all the hiding spots for the crud. It is completley nasty but, he's my baby and its worth it! When I get a good spot, he always gives out a good relaxing breath like he is having a great massage.
EC: APPLE CIDER VINEGAR â MUST BE DILUTED
Carrigan (Monticello, MN) on 11/20/2008:
I have a 7 year old Wiemaraner who has always had bad build up in his ears. Recently he had a flare up and I decided to try cleaning his ears with the 1 part ACV and 2 parts water. I cleaned it every day for 4 days straight, and by day 2 the smell had already went away. After the 4th day it has returned to normal!!! I'm so glad we didn't have to waste $$ at the Vet but the best part is using a natural remedy. Also, this year I tried using ACV for his summer/fall skin allergies but was not successful. Thank you so much for this great site and all the people who take time to post!
Cheryl (Ottawa, Canada) on 08/27/2008:
So the ACV seems to be working already. I have administered 2 doses so far. The barking has stopped! Acv is definitely my Cure-All, I've even added it to my cats' water just to clean their systems. Couldn't hurt!
EC: APPLE CIDER VINEGAR â MUST BE DILUTED
Terese (Cedar Rapids, Iowa) on 06/02/2008:
My dog has to be held down and then I put the mixture in his ears. He shakes, rubs his ears, rubs them all over the floor, rolls around on the floor, etc. Google Jim Zim family cocker website. He has the ear infection remedy on there. Do it exactly as he says. My dog used to get infections all of the time... no more. View Entire Thread
EC: APPLE CIDER VINEGAR â MUST BE DILUTED
Stella (C, OH) on 05/05/2008:
My dog started shaking his head and scratching at his ear. Last year and the same time of year he was doing this and I took him to the vet who gave him ear drops. So when he started doing it again this year, I looked in his ear and it wasn't red or anything and it was the very beginning stages of what ever was going on with him so I looked on earthclinic under pet ear infection and figured that before I take him to the vet I will give it one or two days trying the ACV/water solution in his ear. I did the ACV 3x in two days and then I went to the pet store and bought Halo brand Herbal Ear Wash. (I was all prepared to take him to the vet if I had to) anyway, I first used the ear wash on myself to make sure it didn't burn then I used it on my dog and the first 2x it seemed like his issue was getting worse but I continued to use it another night and Wa..La -- no more ear issue. I will however continue to use it for the full 14 days and then use it as maintenance prevention. I don't know from experience how well the Herbal wash works for ear mites but I have done some research that suggests people using it for ear mites I also saw it on sale at http://www.swansonvitamins.com
EC: APPLE CIDER VINEGAR -- AND WATER. One part ACV to two parts water seems about right.
Harry (Montreal, Canada) on 03/27/2008:
Apple Cider Vinegar. IT REALLY WORKS!!! Thanks to all who have posted about using ACV for curing dog ear infection. I used 2 parts water to 1 part ACV as per some post, mixed in squeeze bottle, and applied once a day. This is day four, and my pooch has started to stop shaking her head or scratch her ears. I know its working because there is no longer any rancid smell coming out from her ears. Love this natural way of healing, instead of the chemiacl soup I have tried.
Marie (Walnut Creek, California) on 02/21/2008:
I wasn't sure if it would work, but I had already spent $165 over 3 months on medications from my vet to cure my dog's itchy ear problems. Nothing seemed to work and his ears kept getting worse. He kept scratching them open until they bled. I used 1 part ACV to 2 parts water applied daily, and within 4 days his ears were all healed. Amazing results!
Kathleen (San Antonio, Tx.) on 02/06/2008:
Apple Cider Vinegar is wonderful to clean out my German Shepherd's ears, when his ears are bothering him. He will shake his head, and I just put an apple cider and water solution on a cotton ball, and clean out his ears, and in ten minutes he stops fussing and lays down and finally can rest. My husband takes white vinegar and soaks his feet in it, and no more athelets foot! It is wonderful for killing any kind of fungus or bacterial infections. Thanks so much for the advice!
EC: APPLE CIDER VINEGAR â MUST BE DILUTED
Tricia (Hamilton, On, canada) on 01/05/2008:
A couple of weeks ago I responded re ACV remedy, I was very pleased with the results. I am sending my comments again because when I think of the money I spent at the vet which did not cure the cats ear infection and this simple solution of ACV worked so well. Its a wonderful solution, our cat seems to be completely healed, no more scratching what so ever.
Tricia (Hamilton, On, Canada) on 12/18/2007:
I have a seven year old indoor siamese, have been having trouble with his ears getting dirty for the last year and a half, vet has treated him with clavamox and prednisone and even though the scratching stops it returns as soon as the meds are finishedl. I recently read the article re apple cider vinegar and the dirt in his ears is basically almost gone and the scratching has stopped, obviously this method is working but I still do not know what is causing the dirt. The vet said it was an infection and the clavamox would cure it but it did not. I have to say I am extremely impressed with the acv remedy. Hopefully in time this will cure him completely.
EC: APPLE CIDER VINEGAR â MUST BE DILUTED
April (Las Vegas, NV) on 11/13/2007:
I have a Shitzu (sorry for the spelling) who is constantly getting ear infectoins, I have had to pay twice for surgical cleaning of her ears, and a number of times for meds "clear" her ears I just recently stared using ACV and I am truly amazed at the results. Today is day 4 for ACV and her ears are almost clear again!! She also had one paw that she is constantly chewing I put a 50/50 mixture on her paw and she has cut back on her chewing considerably!! This stuff really works!
EC: APPLE CIDER VINEGAR â MUST BE DILUTED
DogMA (Salem, MA) on 10/24/2007:
Warning
Hi, My Bernese Mt. Dog has had chronic ear infections for most of her life. (she's 6 years old) I've tried everything that the vet's recommended, including prednisone. Nothing works. I just tried the vinegar/water mixture, and she seems to be very irritated, rubbing her ears, shaking her head. Is this normal, and should I continue to try it again? Help!
Debra (Morganton, North Carolina) on 09/21/2007:
Mandy and I just moved into an area where pets are allowed, which in itself is a rarity. Fleas are an issue. Mandy is my only (baby) still at home and she's a 14 yr old schnauzer. She depends on me for everything as it should be. I depend on her for "lovin' and cuddlin'" and she's very good at it. Anyway, I've only recently discovered (lemon) flea killer, however, after using this half and half mixture leaves me to wonder. Did I do this right because this smell is almost unbareable it really smells like wet dirty dog, but not on Mandy only where she's been ie under coffee table, her bed' etc... Can anyone tell me how I messed this up because I don't see how??
Also, I have used the vinegar solution (one (1) part vinegar to two (2) part water) for a yeast build-up in Mandys ears and as of this day I'll swear by how well it works three (3) or four (4) days in a row then weekly treatment, amazing, and no vet bill nor chemicals which is a bonus for us as well as the world. THUMBS UP!!!
Lynn (Wallingford , CT) on 03/06/2007:
I was seeking a natural alternative to cure my dog's ear problems, I have used ACV for many things and even drink it daily with warm water and honey, I never thought to use it for my dog. I read some of the comments on treating your dog's ear infection and several of the answers said to try ACV. It really works, I now clean my dog's ears regulary with ACV and water. Regular ACV does not contain the same healing properties as due to the heavy processing. Thanks.
Glenda (Coos Bay, OR) on 11/27/2006:
Apple Cider Vineger cured lower back pain, acid reflux, haven't had a migraine in awhile either... I also use it in my dogs' water each day. 1 teaspoon per 15 llbs of dog. I also use it as an ear wash for my little pekingese and it has helped her with an ear problem. My big Chow Chow has discoid lupus and was losing all the black on his nose and it started to affect his eyelids. Since I've been using ACV in his water and applying emu oil to his nose, it actually looks like it's getting better and the black is crawling back up! Double Yayyyyy!
EC: APPLE CIDER VINEGAR â MUST BE DILUTED
Jennifer (South Africa) on 08/24/2006:
My tomcat was in a fight and got his ear badly scratched. It started smelling really bad as the puss formed, and the whole scratch was filled with yellow puss. He was in a lot of pain. So to clean the ear i put very warm water in a small bowl and added quite a bit of apple cider vinegar. Then i dunked tissue paper into the water & apple cider mix and squeezed it out into his ear (i had to get another dry tissue to hold into his ear-drum so the water wouldn't run further into his ear and upset him). It cleaned it out very quickly, after a few hours the crust had gone and the puss was dispelling. I repeated this in the morning, and he actually seemed to enjoy the warmth of the water on his painful ear, so he never even flinched when i came close with the apple-cider water. it's worked for him ! It's easy on the skin, not harsh like other medication / antibiotics would be.
EC: APPLE CIDER VINEGAR â MUST BE DILUTED
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