Ear Infection Remedies for Pets

After a year of trying to figure out the perfect solution to clean my dogs ears to cure and then prevent her ear infections I learned that the only way to keep her infection free is to put NOTHING liquid in her ears! I took her to the vet with a raging ear infection in both ears which they suggested removing her ear canal for a long term prevention treatment! Of course that was a big fat NO!

After clearing up her infection with Mometamax and Baytril Otic, I maintained her condition by wiping her ears out with a tissue every day!!!

I put NOTHING in her ears! Now I am able to wipe out her ears maybe 1x a week. I've also started putting a drop of Zymox Otic Enzymatic solution in her ears, wiping that out with the tissue then following it up with a little powder. She has been infection free for MONTHS!!! AFter 10 years of fighting for a solution for her problems i've figured it out! She smells great and doesn't hate her ear cleanings anymore! I hope this helps anybody who is struggling with this same problem. One last thought, I literally put a drop of the enzymatic solution in her ears, no more. Also, I always have the meds on hand in case I smell the beginning of an infection. Fortunately I have not had to use them!!!

Cheers!! Colleen

What powder would I use?

WOW... This site has been a godsend. My shihtzu has had chronic skin issues and ear infections for years. His skin has been managable lately but his ears never seem to clear up even after 2 weeks of a daily dose of ear antibiotics. I took him off the ears meds and started him on acidophilus mixed with fish oil on sunday-01/22/12. I also started wiping his ears with a 50/50 ratio of white vinegar and water. His ears are clearing up!!! I'm not sure if its the acidophilus, the vinegar or both. He's still doing a lot of paw licking at night around bedtime, of course, but not near as much licking during the day. I've given him plain yogurt a couple of times, also, but it's tough convincing him to eat it.

I plan on buying raw, organic Apple Cider Vinegar this weekend so that I can really soak his paws and see how that works. I also plan on gradually adding to his water.

I have searched and searched for remedies for my German Shepard ear infection. He too is 11 years old. I've tried everything the vet has given me. Even having Achilles sedated and the vet doing the complete ear flush. Nothing has worked. He cries every night in pain. It completely breaks my heart. I just saw your remedy (50% ACV & 50% water ) My husband and I just put in his ear. He shook a lot of it out. I'm praying this works. I had a couple of questions. If you have a moment. First - how much should we have put in and how often a day should we do this? Second - when will we see it take affect. Thank you very much for your advice. I've never used this site so I'm not sure if this posts for everyone or not. If it does, any more advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much. I do apologize for such a long email. Thank you again

I don't know who Melissa from Atoka OK is but you posted that your dog has suffered for years with severe allergies. He is on a raw diet, but I don't think I have the vitamins and minerals down correctly, so any help would be appreciated.

To Judy from Lansing, MI: Please read in full this link ("Apple Cider Vinegar" is usually called "ACV")

Apple Cider Vinegar for Dogs

Very Important: If you decide to get it, ONLY get the ORGANIC "Apple Cider Vinegar". This organic ACV contains the nutrient-rich sediment, which is called "the Mother". You can get it at your local Health Food store or the health food section of your local supermarket.

I was taught that Boric Acid shouldn't be used in inflamed ear because the acidic property could have the tendency to burn the inflamed ear tissue. Is there any information relating to this?

What strength alcohol do u use?

@Ruth: please read Theresa's post above dated 8/11/2015. If your dog has very inflamed/raw ear canals, the alcohol will sting! Also search this site for "Arcane" which is a remedy you can make yourself using over-the-counter ("OCT") remedies.

Wondering if anyone knows how the olive oil and milk works?

I tried the ACV diluted a couple of days ago and my dog went nuts.

He is a cavalier king charles and his ears are always sore so I wanted to make sure I will be using the most gentle remedy going forward.

I'm going to try it. We've already spent $230 at the vet and on meds that didn't work. We can't get rid of it.

What are the amounts of each peroxide, alcohol, apple cider that you use? I have used another remedy but it hasn't worked. My fur baby still is getting ear infections.

Isn't Boric Acid a pesticide?

1× a month, so I've been told.

Please don't do this one or do so with caution, at your own risk. I used the proper gadget to pull hair out of poodle ears. I then used this mixture & wiped inside her ears with a cottonball. I also massaged her ears for 60 seconds. She was thrilled & ran all through the house. A week later I cleaned her ears with this (no hair to pull) & 2 days later her ears were full of scabs. Now I have to apply Neosporin & got a solution from vet to use going forward.

P.S. The rubbing alcohol was only 70%.