★★★★★
I personally have no problems with solutions from my vet; in some cases I find the medicated solutions superior to the basic ACV/Isopropyl/H2O solution. I also find ZYMOX Otic Enzymatic ear drops with hydrocortisone super effective for painful, yeasty ears.
That said, I also LOVE Ted's Anti-Fungal/Anti-Staph remedy: It is super inexpensive, and I find this to have less "sting" than using white vinegar/Apple Cider Vinegar, and with one-step application as raw ears first must be healed with Olive Oil and garlic infusion before you can use the ACV remedies - you can just use Ted's staph remedy without causing a huge sting.
You will need epsom salts, borax, Milk of Magnesia and hydrogen peroxide. You can get all these over the counter at the drug store. The hydrogen peroxide is very probably a 3% solution, so you will need to dilute it. So take 1/3 cup of the hydrogen peroxide and add 2/3 cup of plain water to it; you now have a 1% solution of hydrogen peroxide. Now add 1 table spoon each of the Milk of Magnesia, epsom salts and borax. Mix it really well in a small bottle and place the sealed bottle in a sink full of warm tap water to warm up the solution before you use it to liberally flush the ears. You can use this daily or twice daily until the ears are under control and healthy again. To keep them healthy you might wish to use the garlic oil infusion every 3rd day or flush with the vinegar solution every day.
On top of physically addressing the ears, I would consider alkalizing her water with baking soda; a crisis dose is 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda into 1 liter of water and have this as her only drinking water. After 5 days you can reduce to a maintenance dose of 1/4 teaspoon into 1 liter of water.
Probiotics
★★★★★
I am a breeder of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Every year I was fighting ear infections in some of my doggies, as Cavaliers have long ears and infections are quite common. After learning about use of probiotic formula for pets 2 years ago, I don't see these infections any more. I am giving them just a little sprinkle (a pinch) on their food once a day - not even the recommendation on the product container. Only once a week I am cleaning their ears, but there are no infections. You can buy this "Geneflora Probiotic formula" in any pet store. It costs around $36.00, which is much cheeper then vet visits, medications and the time involved. I hope this will help somebody else as well...
Vaginal Yeast Cream
★★★★★
Re: Dog with ear infections: I have not used the vinegar method but just about everything else. Paid high dollars for 2 years to vets for visits and meds to no avail. One day I decided to try human vaginal yeast cream. WOW! It worked like a charm. Called a friend who has a Lab with chronic ear infections and told her of my success. She also tried the vaginal yeast cream and it also worked for her dog. I am the daughter of a vet and knew that a lot of the meds he suggested were what we buy over the counter for ourselves.
Distilled White Vinegar
★★★★★
My boy is bout fourteen and he kept goin off balance and calapsing thort it was old age and thort I was goin to have to put him to sleep but luckily I read this first so I tried it and sure enough it worked when he stud up without fallin over I got on one knee and give him such a big hug with tears down my cheek thanku so much for leavin a comment so people like me kud read as I cud of made a bad mistake once again thanku so much my dog is a Alsatian cross with a lab and I also have a Japanese Akita which I rescued from the fire at Manchester dogs home and I love my boys to bits
Tea Tree Oil
★★★★★
My shih tzu dog had a rash in one ear, I treated it with tea tree oil, I put it on with a cottonbal, it cleared up in two days.
Hydrogen Peroxide
★★★★★
We have a poodle Bridgett who gets infections after grooming. My wife takes 1/2 peroxide and water and cleanse her ears and then takes virgin coconut oil and rubs her ears and it works great no scratching and rubbing until the next grooming.
Hydrogen Peroxide
★★★★★
Our Bordernese seemed to have an issue with his ear. Kept on shaking his head violently. I cut HP with water at a ration of 50:50, wetted a cottonpad with it and carefully massaged his inner ear. All good after first treatment. Thank you, earthclinic!!
Theresa's Remedies
★★★★★
For washing pet's ears:
You might try adding Betadine solution to warm water - use 1 cup of water and add drop by drop the Betadine until it is the color of tea [for reference, look at the bottled teas in the grocery store] and use that to wash the ears out.
Iodine
★★★★★
I have 2 yellow labs, one 9 the other 6. Both have had ear infection problems. The 9 year old had ear infections when he was a pup through year 3. Then a redneck vet gave us the solution. Mix 4-5 drops of iodine with warm water, draw up in bulb syringe squirt in ear. Rub ear and side of head for a few minutes. Place cottonball in ear as far as possible, then pull out. Don't worry never lost one yet in over 5 years. Continue with cottonballs until clean. In two days, it'll be cured. Continue to do once every month or two. Don't let dog swim in ponds or lakes. Ocean, most rivers, and pool is okay.
Zymox
★★★★★
There is an enzyme based product called Zymox which works wonders on ear infections. I had a 16 yo dog whose ears were red and inflamed, and after ordering this product (zymox otic hc 1%) it cleared up within a day. Recently I gave a bottle to a friend whose dog has chronic ear infections, and the drugs and cleanings did nothing. She was constantly shaking her head, poor thing was in agony. Within 5 days all shaking stopped. You can order from amazon. Be sure to read the directions, and don't clean the ear first, just apply to dirty ear.
Vaginal Yeast Cream
★★★★★
I've used Monestat in the past, and it works but it takes a day. After reading about Clotrimazole here, I went to the store and purchased some. It was in the foot section. My dog immediately stopped shaking his head and seems very comfortable. I am so glad I read Veronicac's post. I will always have a tube of this $8 cream on hand. What a big difference it has made already!
Vaginal Yeast Cream
Yes, Monistat works great. I've also posted the "Arcane" recipe on this site which includes Monistat. Here's one of the links: https://www.earthclinic.com/arcane-solution-ear-infection-dogs.html
Garlic
★★★★★
I used olive oil and garlic for my dog's ear infection, it's amazing..it works, thanks god, my dog is happy now.
★★★★★
The rubbing alcohol works for swimmers ear because it breaks the surface tension of the water trapped in the ear, which facilitates draining. The trapped water is not sterile and creates a nice warm humid environment for bugs to grow in.
Get the water out and no infection develops. I use the cocker spaniel ear cleaner which is alcohol based after my setter has been swimming to avoid problems from this. And I learned it when I was a kid, from dad, who was a competitive swimmer ; -)
Olive Oil
★★★★★
I have used olive oil many times for ear infection or mites in ear and has always cured it just a couple of drops then massage ear to work it down
Hydrogen Peroxide
★★★★★
My standard poodle has had an ear infection in both ears for 7 years. I have had Vince on continuous anti biotics/meds/ raw food diet/thyroid meds and taken him to so many specialists. His eyes became infected about 3 years ago and were so raw they would bleed. Nothing I did helped my poor dog. I even tried allergy testing and gave him shots daily. Did not help any of the symptoms. Some days he just laid in his bed and moaned. Finally about 3 months ago I started cleaning his ears with peroxide and 50/50 apple cider vinegar and water. I also started feeding him twice a day and adding Dinovite in his food. It has taken 2 months but he is finally symptom free. It is the first time in 7 years that Vince is not in pain.
Rubbing Alcohol, White Vinegar
I have also heard of grain alcohol (everclear) being used to dry out ear canals in pets and humans. I was on a dive team when I was a kid and I kept getting swimmer's ear. My grandmother purchased a bottle of it and with a capful would fill my ear, I would let it sit there for about 30 seconds and then tilt my head over a towel to drain. After that, never got another swimmer's ear infection again.
Witch Hazel, Boric Acid, Gentian Violet
★★★★★
Here's a recipe for ear infection (fungal, bacterial, etc. ) gotten from a vet many years ago. It worked for my dogs.
- 4 oz. witch hazel (or alcohol although alcohol stings)
- 1 T boric acid
- 4 drops gentian violet (pharmacy).
I mixed it up in a little brown bottle with dropper.
Apply to ears 2 x day for a week, then once a day until resolved. It stains so be careful where you apply.
Hey Kimdukeking!
Your reply posted to an entry from 2011 -everyone can see it if they search that particular thread OR if you just click on 'Recent pet posts' where most new posts appear.
For super painful ears I prefer to use Zymox Otic enzymatic solution I buy online; it has a bit of painkiller along with enzymes that digest the yeast. It works well but is spendy. I like this because you do not have to flush the ears clean, you just have to squirt it deep into the ear.
For painful ears where the dog is crying, my first plan would be to make sure there is no raw skin or open wounds in the ear due to scratching. If there are wounds I would start with garlic infused olive oil or garlic infused coconut oil as both a balm and an agent to soften the waxy gunk in the ears which will aid in flushing it out. Do the garlic infused oil twice a day until the ears are healed so when you use the vinegar it does not sting. I would use 1/3 each white vinegar, water and isopropyl alcohol. Do this twice a day - for as long as it takes. You might also consider Ted's anti-fungal/anti-staph remedy in the ears as well.
There is a bigger picture when it comes to chronic ear issues - diet, vertebral subluxation, systemic yeast and allergies come into play.
What are you feeding your dog? Take a look at the ingredient label and if you see grain or corn in the first 5 ingredients it is time to upgrade the groceries to a grain free diet as grains have been linked to chronic allergies and systemic yeast in dogs. Any treats or chews should be made in the USA and not treated with sugary coatings and red food dyes and nitrates. A chiropractic adjustment is another option to consider as a misalignment of the neck vertebra can result in chronic ear issues.
You might consider Ted's Borax protocol for dogs or alkalizing your dog's drinking water with baking soda as well.
Good luck and please report back!
Rubbing Alcohol, Violet Solution, Boric Acid
★★★★★
It's a miracle !!
My 6 yr.old yorkie has suffered all her life from allergies, yeast infections in her ears, chewing on herself until she made sores. She has been treated with antibiotics,allergy medicines,Prednisone,medicated shampoos,& even ear surgery. Nothing worked for long. She was scratching and crying almost constantly. my daughter told me about Earth Clinic, so I started using some remedies I read about & they helped,but the one that worked a miracle for her ears was the one that you mix: 1- 16oz bottle of alcohol, 4 Tbsps.Boric Acid & 8 drops of Genetian Violet, mix together in the bottle of alcohol. Shake well before using. Clean the ears then apply drops to ears twice a day for one week, then once a day for a week. As soon as you see improvement,you can decrease how often you have to use it. I apply it once a week now and I can't beleive how much she has improved. I also give her the ACV & accidophilus in her food. I can't thank you enough !!!
