How to treat persistent ear infections

  • jhalfen
    Posts: 4179
    October 12, 2007 at 1:35 pm #203880

    I have a 6.5 year old golden, Samantha. More of a water dog than a field dog, but most of all a family dog.

    Since year 0, Samantha has had persistent ear infections. Seems like one ear or both is constantly getting brown, gunky and inflamed. It’s worse (of course) when she’s been doing a lot of swimming, but she doesn’t need to be in the water to come down with another.

    My vet’s advice is constant use of Otomax. It seems like this will clear up an ongoing infection, but in a matter of a week-10 days it comes right back. Is there something else I can do to give Sammy some relief?

    pahaarstad
    metro
    Posts: 712
    October 12, 2007 at 1:42 pm #30084

    My dog got a ear infection this year. After he was off is meds we had to clean his ears all the time. Did your vet show you any ear cleaning products? I do not know if it will help but just a thought.

    pahaarstad
    metro
    Posts: 712
    October 12, 2007 at 1:42 pm #615894

    My dog got a ear infection this year. After he was off is meds we had to clean his ears all the time. Did your vet show you any ear cleaning products? I do not know if it will help but just a thought.

    derek_johnston
    On the water- Minnesota
    Posts: 5022
    October 12, 2007 at 1:45 pm #30086

    More than likely its the food. Thats what my Vet tells me. Ive dealt with the same with my 9 year old springer. Try switching to a high quality lamb/rice formula. And clean the ears every week ear cleaning solution.

    derek_johnston
    On the water- Minnesota
    Posts: 5022
    October 12, 2007 at 1:45 pm #615896

    More than likely its the food. Thats what my Vet tells me. Ive dealt with the same with my 9 year old springer. Try switching to a high quality lamb/rice formula. And clean the ears every week ear cleaning solution.

    jhalfen
    Posts: 4179
    October 12, 2007 at 1:54 pm #30091

    Quote:

    More than likely its the food.

    That’s something I had never considered. Sam’s been eating Pro Plan since day one….maybe I’ll switch her over to something else and see how it goes.

    I do clean her ears regularly with an ear rinse solution (kinda acidic, she definitely does not approve), and use otomax to treat the infection, but those treatments never seem to last.

    jhalfen
    Posts: 4179
    October 12, 2007 at 1:54 pm #615903

    Quote:

    More than likely its the food.

    That’s something I had never considered. Sam’s been eating Pro Plan since day one….maybe I’ll switch her over to something else and see how it goes.

    I do clean her ears regularly with an ear rinse solution (kinda acidic, she definitely does not approve), and use otomax to treat the infection, but those treatments never seem to last.

    drakesdemise
    Residing in St. Paul, MN doing weekly travel throughout the five state Upper Midwest
    Posts: 976
    October 12, 2007 at 2:13 pm #30093

    Do the food switch slowly, or you could end up with bigger problems!
    Begin mixing a small portion of the new brand with the old brand and over the course of a few weeks (or the amount of the old brand that you have left) until you are feeding exclusively the new brand.
    Do it slow!
    Good luck
    cheers

    drakesdemise
    Residing in St. Paul, MN doing weekly travel throughout the five state Upper Midwest
    Posts: 976
    October 12, 2007 at 2:13 pm #615914

    Do the food switch slowly, or you could end up with bigger problems!
    Begin mixing a small portion of the new brand with the old brand and over the course of a few weeks (or the amount of the old brand that you have left) until you are feeding exclusively the new brand.
    Do it slow!
    Good luck
    cheers

    catch1
    Winona, MN
    Posts: 28
    October 12, 2007 at 10:20 pm #30141

    We have a 7 year old golden….same problem.. We feed her lamb and rice Eukanuba, abd she still gets the infections…..We treat with a cleaning solution and Otomax regularly…we have tried everything else. If you find something that helps please psot it!

    catch1
    Winona, MN
    Posts: 28
    October 12, 2007 at 10:20 pm #616073

    We have a 7 year old golden….same problem.. We feed her lamb and rice Eukanuba, abd she still gets the infections…..We treat with a cleaning solution and Otomax regularly…we have tried everything else. If you find something that helps please psot it!

    suzuki
    Woodbury, Mn
    Posts: 18627
    October 15, 2007 at 6:35 pm #31990

    Epi-Otic ear cleanser once a week and after swimming. Works great on my golden. Even if I forget and she gets the brown ear I can cure it with this ear cleanser instead of expensive prescription. Directions say it can be used many times a week. Mild cleansing/drying solution. I cant imagine not having it.

    suzuki
    Woodbury, Mn
    Posts: 18627
    October 15, 2007 at 6:35 pm #532380

    Epi-Otic ear cleanser once a week and after swimming. Works great on my golden. Even if I forget and she gets the brown ear I can cure it with this ear cleanser instead of expensive prescription. Directions say it can be used many times a week. Mild cleansing/drying solution. I cant imagine not having it.

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