Labs with chronic ear infections:

TundraIII · 11-08-2002, 06:47 AM

I have a lab with a persistent ear infection. I have spent nearly 500 bucks at various
vets between here and Salem to remedy this infection. No matter what was prescribed
the infections never got better, EVER. Out of frustration I was complaining to a buddy
(dog owner) about my labs problem and he told me to stop spending all that money at the vets and put some Hydrogen Peroxide in a squirt bottle and clean his ear with it. So I gave it a shot, the bottle says you can use it as a mouth wash so it must be safe for an ear, right? Well I've used it three times on his ear and guess what, the infection is almost gone. All that expensive crap I've been getting from the Vets hasnt worked any where near as well as a 99 cent bottle of Hydrogen Peroxide. I've been battling this infection for 3yrs and now the end is in sight, woo hoo!

[ 11-08-2002, 07:49 AM: Message edited by: TundraIII ]

Lured In · 11-08-2002, 07:04 AM

Tundra that is great news. One question for you though. I have heard of several ear related 'infections' that labs can have. Many of them chronic. What systems was your dog having?

My CLF has a chronic yeast infection (that's what the vet called it). Essentially she gets a build up of reddish-brown crusties in her outer ear canal and toward the ear opening. Some of this has been helped by medication and such, but it keeps coming back. Even with frequent cleaning. Just thought I would check and see if this was similar to what your lab was going through. I may have to give the peroxide a shot.

CAGEY · 11-08-2002, 07:21 AM

I have a dog that has the same problem. many dollars spent at the vets and still the infection persists. Then i tried using some Hydrocotisone 1/2 %. Cleared it right up. Now ijust put a little on the tip of my finger and put in her ears once a month and no more infection. She likes the ear rub to.

TundraIII · 11-08-2002, 07:33 AM

My dogs infection produces a redish brown disharge that stays wet and nasty in the inner ear and becomes dry, pasty and black in color, towards the outer ear. Pretty nasty and it causes his ear to droop down all the time. Waylon is already a goofy dog
and with that lop-sided ear thing goin on

. But the ear is starting to come up again and soon I hope they level off :grin:

MikeT · 11-08-2002, 08:21 AM

Guys,
Another possible contributor to ear infections is allergic reaction to their food. I think the condition is called food hypersensitivity dermatitis.

You might want to check with the vet on this as well. A change in food might help or eliminate the problem.

Mike

Cohodependent · 11-08-2002, 10:52 AM

Hey Tundra! How have ya been? We use peroxide a lot in ears on humans. I would not recommend full strentgh. Peroxide can be cytotoxic, you should know that word from your biology class, I generally cut it with water to about 50/50. Use warm water as well. I don't know about dogs, but in humans if the solution is too hot or cold it can cause dizziness, nausea and some times vomiting. It can also affect balance. If you have a syringe you can use it to flush the ear out. It should make a huge difference. Give me a call if you have any questions.

1pump · 11-08-2002, 09:40 PM

My 12yr old Lab gets yeast infections in her ears about twice a year. I've been using Otomax, but it's not cheap and it's Rx only.
I'm gonna try to hydrogen peroxide..........thanx for the tip! :smile:

OneLastCast · 11-09-2002, 07:02 PM

I have to put a second in on Mike T's comment about possible allergic reaction. One of our labs (the little princess) is allergic to everything under the sun and had constant ear problems until we got the allergies under control.

OneLastCast

Capin' Dan · 11-10-2002, 10:18 PM

Owning and showing Labs for 20 years I have had this problem a lot in different dogs. Here are soemthings that I suggest.

#1 Food: feed nutro natrual for this seems to take care of skin and food allergies. If you have the time to prepare a meal for your dog I suggest that you get the book give your dog a bone. This guy is out there on his thinking but trust me guys it works. He says [ quote WE ARE POSIONING OUR DOGS WITH THE PRESERVATIVES THAT WE ARE PUTTING IN OUR PROCESSED FOODS] I have seen the difference that his has made in dogs when feeding an all natrual diet.

#2 Meds Make sure you do not have ear mites and then clean your dogs ears either use the peroxcide or go the the feed store or petco and get some ear cleanser keep after it until it gets cleared up.

I agree it really used to get to me when I would ask for the meds from the vet and they said no we must look at your dogs so we can hammer you with the office call and everything else that we can think of.