Hi,
Is there a way that I can reduce the amount of wax build up in my 7 month old GSD ears? Or is this a natural part of its genetics. Thanks.

My vet sold me Oti-Foam drying ear cleanser. It works for my dogs very well. I use it about once a week and after they go swimming.

QUOTE: My vet sold me Oti-Foam END

I went to look at my bottle and it too is Oti-Foam.

My dog was shaking his head a little so I asked the vet to look in (as far as I could see with equipment, all looked well). She said yes, he had some heavy wax deep in there......she tested it (quick test) for mites, and it was just wax. So the Oti-Foam is a great way to get the wax out without damaging the inner ear with tools or something invasive. I squirted it in the ear, then massaged the outside of the ear (and heard the foamy stuff squishing around), then let the dog go. His natural and immediate reaction is to shake the Oti-Foam out. After a few times doing that, the wax was out where it was visible and I cleaned it off.

I thought it worked great.

Is there any inflammation associated with the wax buildup? If so, I'd recommend seeing the vet again for a culture. You may have a yeast infection, a bacterial infection, or both.

One of my dogs has a perpetual ear infection -- yeast and bacteria -- and a really revolting amount of very nasty earwax. The bacteria come and go; the yeast are always there. We've been through most every variation of antibiotic/antifungal treatment there is, some more than once, and she still hasn't shaken it. We've changed dogfoods three times as well (first, NutroPro large breed, then, Wellness Sweet Potato and Fish, and, now, Canidae), and have done a full thyroid panel, too. For now, we simply continue regular earwashes with vinegar/rubbing alcohol/distilled water solution and daily cleaning. Of course, if anyone has additional ideas, I'd love to hear them. BTW, we are not going to switch to raw for a number of reasons after having discussed and researched it -- so that's not a suggestion I would entertain, although I understand that there may be good reason to do so and there are proponents of that diet who frequent this board.

Not to hijack your thread or anything . . . <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Bryan,
I had similar, but less serious, problems with my dog's ears. Heavy wax, perpetual bacterial and yeast infections. After the third or so time where the antibiotic did not work, I started to do some research on my own. I finally found a product called Zymox that worked wonders. It clears up bacterial and yeast infections. (I did check with the vet first, before using, but now I use it all the time at the first hint of ear redness) Check with your vet and try it out--it's sold online for about 13 bucks or so per ounce. I recommend trying it for anyone who has dogs with routine or chronic ear infections.

BTW. . . also works on human ear infections. Husband was absolutely horrified, and my brother the doctor nearly had a hernia from laughing. . . but it worked. Do not try this at home <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

QUOTE: One of my dogs has a perpetual ear infection END

I've had two dogs who had that issue when they came to me as rescues. One was already deaf from the constant infections and the thickening of the canal. In the case of these dogs, the best thing I did was get the blood panel done for allergens. One (the deaf and itchy one) had 33 severe allergies. I started homemade food to eliminate the food ones (there was no commercial food that didn't contain at least one of her allergens) and started the desensitizing injections for all the airborne ones. Both dogs, under this regimen, got their allergies under control. NOT CURED........but under control. The ear infections stopped and the skin itching was reduced to very manageable levels.

I know there are other causes of ear infections; knowing that my dogs had allergies, though, made me look at the allergies first.

Erin,

Thank you for the suggestion. I will give Zymox a try.

Bryan