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Feb 7th, 2025
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 Ear Problem
#354121
05/01/08 12:12 AM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 311
duckkilla
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Bird Dog
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Bird Dog
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Posts: 311 |
I have a 8-year old lab that has had an infection in his left ear off and on for some time. It kind of squishes when you push on it and develops some black gunk. My vet told me to clean it with Oti Soothe and gave me some antibiotic ointment to put in it. I have been to two vets and they say the same thing. "clean it and apply this". This does not seem to be working. Anybody have a similar experience or recommendation. I don't want him to develop permanent damage. He needs to hear those whistling wings.
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 Re: Ear Problem
[Re: duckkilla]
#354122
05/01/08 02:07 AM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 36,705
Guy
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Ear infections with labs are normal, I changed my dog to Purina Pro Plan Lamb and Rice and that helped I think, my dog gets them every now and then, namely after swimming, I keep ear clean, and give her ear drops (Conofite) and I seem to be able to keep under controle.
What kind of food do you give your dog? Have you changed it lately to maybe cuase this? Your dog is 8 yrs old, did your dog just start getting the ear infections?
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Re: Ear Problem
[Re: Guy]
#354123
05/01/08 11:48 AM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 311
duckkilla
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Bird Dog
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He has been getting them on and off for the last three or so years, but lately they seem more persistent. He has been on the same food almost his entire life (Sportsmans Pride). I thought being in the water all the time might be the culprit so I covered up his swimming pool, but the infection still won't go away. It is always his left ear for some reason.
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Re: Ear Problem
[Re: duckkilla]
#354124
05/01/08 12:08 PM
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,152
DoubleB20
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Got this from another Dog Forum. It's simple enough and several members over there swear by it:
Purple Stuff
Ingredients can be found at any local drug store or even Walmart.
16 oz. bottle isopropyl alcohol (or witch hazel)
4 tablespoons Boric Acid Powder
16 drops Gentian Violet 1% Solution
Mix all ingredients in the alcohol bottle & shake. (make sure you shake before every application).
Treatment: Fill ear with solution & massage gently for 30 seconds and wipe with a tissue. Fill a second time and just wipe without massaging. The dog will shake the excess out. Be careful, the Gentian Violet could stain. I use a eye dropper to fill the ear.
Treatment:
2 times per day for the first 2 weeks
1 time per day for the next 2 weeks
1 time per month thereafter
If you are concerned about the alcohol burning the inside of the ear (it could if the dog has been scratching its ear), then you can substitute the alcohol with witch hazel.
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Re: Ear Problem
[Re: duckkilla]
#354125
05/01/08 12:13 PM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,673
kbobbjr
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It sounds to me like you're talking about an area inside the dogs ear that is infected like a sore and what Guy is talking about is down deep in the ear canal (ear drum or yeast infection). Is this correct? If so, then what Guy is suggesting won't work for you. Inner ear infections are common among labs and could be caused by food or swimming, as Guy stated. You don't treat them with antibiotic ointments. My dog gets them from swimming and my course of treatment is the same every time. I flush the ears after swimming and if she shows signs of getting an infection (which she has right now) I treat her with Conofite drops.
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Re: Ear Problem
[Re: duckkilla]
#354126
05/01/08 01:12 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,264
fowlplayr
Shenanigans Scorecard keeper
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Quote:
I have a 8-year old lab that has had an infection in his left ear off and on for some time. It kind of squishes when you push on it and develops some black gunk. My vet told me to clean it with Oti Soothe and gave me some antibiotic ointment to put in it. I have been to two vets and they say the same thing. "clean it and apply this". This does not seem to be working. Anybody have a similar experience or recommendation. I don't want him to develop permanent damage. He needs to hear those whistling wings.
If you're referring to the stinky black/green stuff in his ears I know what you mean. Constantly shaking his head and scratching at his ears, etc....
My black lab has had that problem chronically his whole life (he is also 7 or 8), until January. After taking him to vet every couple of months for years, I finally lucked out. My regular vet was out sick and had a another vet filling in for him. Apparently, she took a little more time figuring out what the problem actually was, AND prescribed the CORRECT medication for my dog.
I could tell within a week on the new medication, Fisher the Duck Dog was feeling much better. Now with just routine cleaning every few days, instead of twice a day EVERY DAY, it has not come back (knocking on wood).
I have a whole cabinet full of the Ointment, that stuff was a joke and she picked up on that quickly while reviewing Fisher's chart. The Vet prescibed Baytril OTIC. 5 drops in the ear 2xdaily, and CIPROFLOXACIN (750mg 2xdaily). I have not used it yet, but Baytril now comes in a "plug" form. Drop the little ball in the ear and it time-slow releases the medication over a week. Easy alternative to the drops (if required). I'm sure your Vet will probably not like you suggesting treatments to him, but it might be worth at least mentioning. It might work for your dog too.
BTW - She is now my primary Vet! 
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Re: Ear Problem
[Re: kbobbjr]
#354127
05/01/08 01:14 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 36,705
Guy
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My doc always asks how my dogs ear's doing, and I tell him I just watch it, when I see a sign of trouble (shaking head, etc..) I clean the ear and put drops of Conofite daily till it all goes away, he said that was ok. I kinda thought that Conofite cannot hurt, I got the impression it was like those drops you put in your own ear after swimming, it seems like it is alcohol based and draws the water out.
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Re: Ear Problem
[Re: Guy]
#354128
05/01/08 01:34 PM
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 311
duckkilla
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Bird Dog
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Thanks for the help and it sounds like I need to find a new vet. I am somewhat new to the DFW area, so does anybody have any vet recommendations within about 30 minutes of Corinth.
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Re: Ear Problem
[Re: duckkilla]
#354129
05/01/08 02:01 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 36,705
Guy
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Yeah, Dr Ed in Lewisville, he comes highly recommended in the gun dog world, he is kinda too far for me to use him all the time, but I go to him when I need to for second opinion etc, I been to him twice, he is close to you, I would go to him for sure on this one. Below is the info:
Dr Edward (Ed) Aycock, DVM Lewisville North Animal Clinic 972-436-5571
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Re: Ear Problem
[Re: duckkilla]
#354130
05/01/08 02:06 PM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,673
kbobbjr
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Matt Lang - (972) 241-3351. He's on Forest just west of Josey.
Guy, I think the Conofite drops actually treat the infection. My vet gave me some wash that I put in my dogs ear after water work that dries up any water in the ear canal (just like the swimmers ear drops). I don't think it hurts to put the Conofite in there but I don't know if it dries up the water.
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Re: Ear Problem
[Re: kbobbjr]
#354131
05/01/08 02:11 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,264
fowlplayr
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I have never heard of Conofite. Is it available OTC, or does a Vet need to prescribe it? Do you only use it on an as-needed basis, or as regular maintanance?
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Re: Ear Problem
[Re: kbobbjr]
#354132
05/01/08 02:15 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 36,705
Guy
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Quote:
Guy, I think the Conofite drops actually treat the infection. My vet gave me some wash that I put in my dogs ear after water work that dries up any water in the ear canal (just like the swimmers ear drops). I don't think it hurts to put the Conofite in there but I don't know if it dries up the water.
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Re: Ear Problem
[Re: Guy]
#354134
05/01/08 02:24 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,264
fowlplayr
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Thanks Guy. Ahh, it says that Conofite is an antifungal, not an antibacterial so it probably wouldn't have helped in my case anyway (which is probably why it was never mentioned or prescribed). Definitely good information to have and share though! 
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Re: Ear Problem
[Re: fowlplayr]
#354135
05/01/08 02:34 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 4,264
fowlplayr
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I hope I'm not hi-jacking DuckKilla's thread, but we are talking about ear problems so....
What kind of flush are you guys using? I've been using ChlorhexiDerm, but am curious to see what you all have had the best luck with.
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Re: Ear Problem
[Re: fowlplayr]
#354136
05/01/08 03:19 PM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 21,694
Sniper John
gumshoe
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gumshoe
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It was a problem back when I had coon hounds due to the long ears always getting in food, water, and other undesirable places. Pretty much what the vet gave you is what I used. It would take several days of treatment to get rid of it. Then prevention by keeping the ears clean with over the counter stuff or it will return.
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Re: Ear Problem
[Re: fowlplayr]
#354137
05/01/08 03:34 PM
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,595
First_Chance
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Quote:
I hope I'm not hi-jacking DuckKilla's thread, but we are talking about ear problems so....
What kind of flush are you guys using? I've been using ChlorhexiDerm, but am curious to see what you all have had the best luck with.
I use Earoxide for general cleanser and maintanence and it does a good job. I've not had one instance of ear infections since I've been using it. I use it on the dogs ears once a month.
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Re: Ear Problem
[Re: First_Chance]
#354138
05/01/08 03:44 PM
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Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 36,705
Guy
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Quote:
I use Earoxide
Is that OTC?
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Re: Ear Problem
[Re: fowlplayr]
#354139
05/01/08 03:49 PM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,673
kbobbjr
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That may be the same stuff I use. I'll look tonight and let you know.
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Re: Ear Problem
[Re: fowlplayr]
#354140
05/01/08 03:54 PM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,673
kbobbjr
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Exactly. A lot of the "ear infections" that labs get are yeast infections thus the antifungal is prescribed. Here's the way my vet explained it to me. Dogs have yeast in their ears. When they go swimming they get water in their ears. The long ears don't allow much air to get into the ears which dries them out. So you have yeast, water and warm temperatures down in the ear and I think we all know what happens next. Ding, that's exactly right - the timer goes off telling us that our bread is done.
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Re: Ear Problem
[Re: Guy]
#354141
05/01/08 05:18 PM
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Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,595
First_Chance
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Re: Ear Problem
[Re: fowlplayr]
#354142
05/02/08 12:59 AM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,673
kbobbjr
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The flush I use is called Malaseb and I got it from my vet.
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