Chocolate Lab Has Ear Infection

[OCDComputing]

Just so it doesn't get missed in the mess above...What I find works well for cleaning their ears is to use baby wipes since they are good for sensitive skin. I just wrap them around my finger to ensure that I don't go too deep.

[ninepointer]

After no lasting success in treating our lab's ear with various recommended ointments, we took her to a vet who said most such cases can be attributed to an allergic reaction to a certain food protein (the food we were feeding had chicken). He recommended changing her food to a different protein. I admit to being skeptical at the time, since the vet did not do an allergy test, but after switching to a salmon-based food, the problem disappeared within a week or two. The ear has been clear for over 6 months now.

[Sharon]

Allergies are such a complicated business. You were lucky to find a fast solution. My two setters ( mother and daughter) have bad skin allergies from May to Oct. only. Turned out it is a weed so little I can do about it.

It's hard to nail down the solution to just one change, when many things change daily in the life of a dog. Fabric softener used when washing bedding is a common allergen for dogs.

[Sharon]

Allergies are such a complicated business. You were lucky to find a fast solution. My two setters ( mother and daughter) have bad skin allergies from May to Oct. only. Probably a weed/field grass so little I can do about it, but I always wonder if I change something in their environment from May to Oct.?

It's hard to nail down the solution to just one change, when many things change daily in the life of a dog. Fabric softener used when washing bedding is a common allergen for dogs.

[Marker]

16 oz. Isopropyl Alcohol
(or 16 oz. Witch Hazel or Hydrogen Peroxide if ears are very inflamed or sore)
4 Tablespoons Boric Acid Powder
16 Drops Gentian Violet Solution 1%
Mix together in alcohol bottle and shake well.
You will need to shake the solution every time you use it, to disperse the Boric Acid Powder. Purchase a "Clairol" type plastic bottle to dispense solution to affected ears. These bottles can be found at beauty supply shops.

Do what OCD says, my labs have chronic ear infections and the above works the best as regular preventative maintenance, the only item I would change would be to not insert anything hard (like a Q tip) in the ears only wipe around the area. I have been using that same remedy for years on multiple animals with no issues. If that does not clear up the infection in a day or two then see your vet.

[Sharon]

Just so it doesn't get missed in the mess above...What I find works well for cleaning their ears is to use baby wipes since they are good for sensitive skin. I just wrap them around my finger to ensure that I don't go too deep.

What mess above? I thought there had been very helpful posts?

[Deerslayer99]

Thanks for all the replies......it turns out he does have an ear infection and he is on Ottomax ointment.....I will definitely just go get the meds in the future if it persists.....total bill for everything was only $122 which I didn't think was too bad....