Posted on 01/21/2011 2:41:39 PM PST by Nachum
We have a black lab/golden retriever mix. We noticed that there was a smell coming from our dog's ears recently. After inspection, there was a lot of black ear-wax like discharge on the inside of her ear. She is not digging or scratching at her ears, but there is the discharge and smell.
After doing some research, the consensus seems to be that she may be suffering some kind of ear infection. Do the FReepers here have experience with ear issues? The site I linked to generally speaks of a remedy of apple cider vinegar and water in the ear.
After a long week of politicking and Obamanations, why not talk about something important- our pets. :)
I agree with getting the dog to the Vet...If the dog is in no discomfort as far as you can tell, I would get them to the Vet anyway...The colr and odor of the “buildup” is not as important as it is to find out why there is a buildup of some sort of substance...
It could eventually lead to a breeding ground for all sorts of other parasitic creatures that may eventually cause some discomfort to your pet...
Vets clean ears out all the time...And your dog may or may not like the attention of a good ear cleaning, but the after effects will be well received and you will feel better yourself when you get that taken care of for them...
Don’t wait too long though...
Let us know how it goes...
Good luck...
Yes. Take your dog to the vet, asap.
Use a mixture of 50/50 hydrogen peroxide and warm water. Put the mixture in the ear with a dropper (about a teaspoon), massage the base of the ear to work the liquid into the ear. Let the dog shake his head to dislodge the debris, and clean out the rest with cotton balls. Use this twice a week.
Give your dog a hug from a fellow FReeper.
LSAggie (posting on hubby's account)
We got some ear cleaner from the vet. You squirt it into the affected ear, and then clean it out with a paper towel.
Cheap and easy.
You need to get the dog to the vet..
Could be ear mites. Does she shake her head often?
Go to the vet.
Exactly what we do, right down to the brand names.
Please, for the sake of the animal, do not try the home remedies you are finding on the web. Take her to a doctor.
We had this same problem with our natural eared dobermans. The long ears prevent good air flow to the ear and can allow bacteria or yeasts to grow in the moist environment of the inside of the ear.
You should see a vet on this one. They’ll give you a tube of ointment that will kill the bacteria and/or yeast that is causing the problem. You put a few drops in the ear, massage it in, and repeat everyday for a week or 2.
They also might recommend regular ear cleanings at home, using a product that is made just for that. It is a more watery substance, whereas the ointment is rather like vaseline in consistancy.
Good luck!
Take her to the vet.
My dog gets ear infections every so often. We ended up buying a larger size of the drops from the vet so we could just use it when one starts.
Good luck, but go to the vet.
Sounds like ear mites, go to vet.
I had a dobie mix that had an ear infection that led to a blowout of the ear. Very painful for our girl. If I had caught it earlier and taken her to the vet for antibiotics, it probably wouldn’t have happened.
I hate going to the vet too. It costs me more to go to our vet than it costs me to go to our family doc for an exam.
Ears are tricky though, and painful.
Thanks! That is one of the cures I read about. The forum was sort of split between hydrogen peroxide and apple cider vinegar as being the best home remedies. AND, they said exactly the same thing. The expensive drugs, drops, etc. that were prescribed were largely ineffective and the only thing that worked were the washes with one of those options. I will probably take her into the vet anyway (Monday). As long as we water down the HP or ACV a great deal, it won't irritate but we want to be sure. I will give her a bunch of hugs for you. Thanks.
Ear mites...and a trip to the vet is in order.
http://www.dog-health-guide.org/yeastinfectionindogear.html - some good information. Other possibilities include ear mites or some other insect activity. It’s unusual that no itching seems to be occurring, but perhaps your dog has a high discomfort tolerance. If it’s a yeast infection, it may require antibiotics (and a vet exam). A bad yeast infection can result in surgery. Golden retrievers around here seemed to be extremely susceptible to ear yeast infections and hot spots.
Our vet has had us using “ChlorhexiDerm Flush” on our labbie’s ears for many years when they get stinky from too much swimming. It’s inexpensive and easy to use.
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