My mother has a three year old GSD who is very prone to ear infections, the vet seems to think they're mostly fungal ear infections. I'm wondering if there are any natural treatments out there or home remedies, as the antibiotics given seem to sometimes exacerbate the situation. Any help would be appreciated!

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My mother has a three year old GSD who is very prone to ear infections, the vet seems to think they're mostly fungal ear infections. I'm wondering if there are any natural treatments out there or home remedies, as the antibiotics given seem to sometimes exacerbate the situation. Any help would be appreciated!

If you use "search" here and type in "ear infection" in quotes, I think you will find many threads. I think this because I have posted to many! <img src="http://www.leerburgkennels.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Also, I am sending you a PM.

The food the dog receives can also play a part. When I fed Eukanuba, my dogs were constantly having ear problems. Switched to a better grade of food and the problems have gone away.

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The food the dog receives can also play a part. When I fed Eukanuba, my dogs were constantly having ear problems. Switched to a better grade of food and the problems have gone away.

Good point! <img src="http://www.leerburgkennels.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

My PM was largely about grain-heavy commercial foods (as well as vigilance with inflammation in the ears before full-blown infections develop).

Hey Kevin, has your moms' dog had his thyroid tested? I had a GSD who had waxy ears that would get infected if not kept clean. As part of his annual physical bloodwork up, his thyroid was always checked, but it was borderline so he didn't need to go on medication. He did not exhibit any conditions normally associated with malfunctioning thyroid. When he turned 10, he did have to go on thyroid meds & wouldn't you know, his ears cleared up for the rest of his life. I thought it was just coincidental, but I have heard of others having the same experience. Anyway, it's a simple bloodtest & something to consider!

My 1st dog had chronic yeast infections.

I kept her ears cleaned every 3 days or so with a 50/50 Hydrogen Peroxide/Water solution.

I didn't squirt down in the ear canal, but kept it mainly on the parts I could see, and swabbed the canal with a pprtowl dowsed in the solution, used wet down q-tips for the creases to loosen the crust and cleanse the skin beneath. (NO Q-TIPS down in the canal)

This worked very well. On occasion, her ears would be very red after this treatment, but the next day, fine and normal.

50/50 solution of white vinegar and distilled water is better for the dog's ears than peroxide.

I have had many recommendations for Zymox Otic (With or w/o hydrocortisone, depending on whether there's much inflammation) for this problem.
Unfortunately I can't get it here in Spain.

Some of my friends whose dogs have this problem have dogs that STRUCTURALLY have a tiny and closed in ear canal. Too moist an environment for normal healthy ears so breeds all kinds of fungus and yeast and PROBLEMS. Some of these dogs actually need surgery to open the ear up.

For dogs with a normal shaped ear canal, some seem to be allergy related. If from the food, I know the Sweet Potato and Fish blends of food seem to work. And nothing the vet gives seems to help with these ears that much, even though it's expensive. Instead, there is a mix you can blend yourself called the Blue Ear Power Treatment. Just make sure you put it in your dog's ears outside, because when they shake their heads it goes flying and the stuff will stain.

Here's how you make it: Click Here

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50/50 solution of white vinegar and distilled water is better for the dog's ears than peroxide.

There's one reason I wouldn't go with this in this particular situation: the dog is having recurring yeast (or some fungus, anyway, probably mixed with bacteria). Adding dampness to the spot is counterproductive, IMO.

What I PMd was that the underlying cause should be addressed, of course, and that's very likely (with yeast) to involve a high-grain diet. So I suggested no grain at all. Also suggested that the current regimen be completed (and that no antibiotic protocol ever be started and not finished), and that in the future the owner examine the ears often. I look inside my own allergic dogs' ears every other day, always.

I suggested that nothing ever be done if the ear was clear.... don't add stuff if it's not needed .... but that at the first sign of inflammation or gunk, a drying foam be squirted in, the ear flap folded down, and the ear massaged gently (and you hear it squoosh around). Then let go and stand back. The dog will do the rest, as several posters have mentioned.

WE don't poke out the gunk; the dog shakes it out. Then we can gently clean it off the outer folds.

I use a vet foaming liquid, but there are homemade and OTC squirty things too, the important thing being (IMO) that it's liquid and that it's self-drying. We don't want a moist inner ear area for fungus to thrive.

These are good answers here. I used to see terrible answers, like "put the dog on lamb 'allergy food' and use steroids daily." Usually had some q-tip work thrown in, too. <img src="http://www.leerburgkennels.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

All this is JMO!