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My lab keeps on getting a ear infection in the same ear. We been cleaning it with some stuff we got from the vet but it keeps coming back. I was buying pro plan that had chicken in it and switched to the salmon formula but it didn’t seem to do anything. Does anyone have any recommendations to try next? Should I switch food brand completely?
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My lab has the same issue, usually worse in one ear. I've tried a couple of ear oils on pet store recommendation but they did not clear it up. I use a 50/50 mix of 3% Hydrogen Peroxide and water in the empty ear oil container with the 'syringe' to squirt half a 'syringe' full into the ear then massage it around and let him shake excess out. If it gets bad between applications, I'll use full strength 3% Hydrogen Peroxide and it works but it tends to dry out the ear tissue so I'll follow up with a squirt of the ear oil later to lube the ear. It is a recurring issue. I've suspected mites or diet reaction but can't nail any cause down.
Ashes - I have a lab that is now 5 years old and in the last year has developed allergies that has him itching constantly. We also feed him Purina Pro Plan chicken formula and recently switched to Inukshuk 26-16 chicken formula, but the allergies persist. We were going to try the Pro Plan salmon formula but it's interesting to hear that it didn't help in your case. It's also worth noting that Pro Plan changed their branding about a year or so ago which was around the same time the allergies began, which makes me wonder if they changed the formula or suppliers?
Our breeder has been adamant that these chewable wafers by NuVet Plus works wonders for ear infections. We tried them for our dog's allergies without any improvement but may be worth a try in your case. They ship to Canada but it's $55 USD + shipping, I think it worked out around $90 CAD all said and done for a 3-month supply. Here's a link (https://www.nuvetlabs.com/order_new2...lus-wafers.asp).
Hope you find something that works.
1. No swimming late summer when the water has a high bacteria count
2. Choose foods with no grains, oats are an exception
3. Wash with anti bacterial soap then, as said above, use a home made ear solution. Hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, and water mix is good for regular cleaning. If its inflamed you may be better to get the drops from a vet.
How often do you clean your dogs ears ?I’ve had labs that needed it done every two days or they would get an ear infection. Others could go two weeks. Every dog is different.
His ear that keeps getting infected we clean everyday and his good ear we been checking at the same time and if dirty we will clean it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fenelon
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I was wondering if that’s how it started in the summer when I was training him in the water but it keeps coming back. I will try those mixtures and possibly change his food again. ThanksQuote:
Originally Posted by Marker
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Yes I’ve read about them changing the food recipe along with some other big brands. Maybe they are putting some kind of filler to make more money. I will look into the nuvet stuff thanksQuote:
Originally Posted by Jiggs_D
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I highly doubt it has anything to do with either diet or a food allergy. The dog probably just has a congenital defect in one of his ears and he tends to have a narrow or canted ear canal that doesn’t allow the ear to “breath” and drain properly. This will make that ear prone to infection. This was exactly the case with my first Lab. He eventually went deaf in the one ear but it sure didn’t disable him. He could still hear a chip bag getting ripped open from 750 meters! Mother nature did not intend to have any canid with droopy ears that lay flat on the skull and block the ear canal. We’re the cause of the defective ear design. All you can probably do is be vigilant and watch that one ear. Trim or pull extra hair if its excessive in the external ear and have a routine during humid weather or swimming sessions. Do a full flush on a the bad ear with a dessicant alcohol based cleaner like Epi-Otic within an hour of the swim. Wipe the external ear canal with a moistened facial cotton pad with cleaner on it every day.
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We had a girl that had over half a dozen ear infections by the time she was 18 months old. Had this recommended and never had another. Used as directed for two weeks initially and then a squirt in each ear ongoing every two months. Our breeder now uses and recommends it.
Go to shoppers and get monistat cream, the infection is a yeast infection likely and it requires miconazole to clear it up. My shepherd has the same issue and this is what works.
Yes the vet said it’s a yeast infection. I’m going to try anything to clear it upQuote:
Originally Posted by klums
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Depends on the strain of yeast . Most common is Candida but it can also be Malassezia, which can also spread to patches on the body, esp. armpits and belly around the dink area. Ketaconazole cream kills Malassezia, as does Pyrithione zinc, the ingredient in Head and Shoulders Shampoo. I've used H&S foam on a facial scrubbie with great success when my Lab Black Pig Dog gets the gut and dink area rash in the summer from swamp muck wallowing like a market hog. He's constantly damp all summer and the rash flares during the hot humid weather. Tried to convince my buddy to wash his junk in H&S after seeing him digging at his sac and balls while talking to women at a family BBQ. I told the dude "that ain't right brother" and he just told me I was being silly.
I agree with the yeast infection and switching the food is important to the cure. My Lab was having issues and we switched to Natural Balance Sweet Potatoe and Venison kibble . Keeping their ears clean is important and especially after they have been in the water.
I imagine it’s not very common for a dog to have an actual “allergy” to a certain food (even though the vet may use that word) as it pertains to yeast. More likely the carb/protein/fat ratios in the diet may aggravate the situation by providing fuel (food) for the yeast to flourish.
A carb reduction will apparently reduce the available fuel for Candida but does nothing for Mallessezia. Protein and fat is what fuels it. Probably best to know what yeast species you’re dealing with before trying to adjust diet.
We stopped giving our 8 1/2 yr old lab almost anything that had yeast (breads, etc). We changed OFF a AUTHORITY chicken based solid food to AUTHORITY with turkey/pea/duck/salmon and in April our Vet suggested a blood panel which showed our guys thyroid was at the low end of normal, so we started giving him THYRO-TABS CANINE (levothyroxine sodium). He is very much improved.
My current three dogs spaniel and chesapeake have never had an ear infection and they swim several times a week. I never treat their ears. with anything. I have had dogs in the past that suffered with infections and I found it was often (not always) food related. I think the key is if your dog is on a chicken and rice blend changing brands but sticking with chicken and rice is unlikely to make a difference. Move to a completely new mix like duck and potato or salmon and potato.
my parents have a chocolate lab who had a brutal ear infection that after over $1500 the vet still couldn't get rid of it. after talking about it at work one of the ladies suggested a probiotic chew after 2 weeks of being on it the infection began to clear up 2 months later it's totally gone. my 2 labs don't seem to get the ear problems as bad but my wife cleans their ears a couple times each week and they prune each other nonstop
I switched my lab to salmon/sweet potato and her scratching seem to improve.
My yellow lab will get an ear infection if she eats ANYTHING with bird in it. Chicken, duck, goose, turkey, grouse etc. We switched dog food to ACANA Pacifica 100% and have now been on that for years with no recurring ear infection if we do our part not to give her dog treats with bird in it (we now buy liver treats).
When she did have an ear infection, I cleaned out her ear with a solution I bought from my vet. I believe it had hydrogen peroxide in it but not sure. If I cleaned every day it would usually clear up in about a week.