Ear infection

[Ashes1]

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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[canthitathing]

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.

[Jiggs_D]

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.

[Marker]

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.

[Fenelon]

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.

[Ashes1]

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.


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[Ashes1]

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.

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. Thanks


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[Ashes1]

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.

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 thanks


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[Fenelon]

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.

[C.A. in TO]

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.