Dirty Ears

Trinitys-Momma · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:01 am Post subject: Dirty Ears

My husband and I clean Trinity's ears once a week and there is constantly black gunk inside. We have been to the vet several time because they itch her. Has anyone overcome this problem and how did you do it?

peppernaei · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:03 am Post subject:

We add yogurt to our dogs kibble and believe it really helps keep them clean. We also clean them when needed with diluted alcohol or vinegar.

Ear problems can also be a sign of an allergy - food or environmental.

Trinitys-Momma · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:11 am Post subject: Allergies

I am afraid to add anything to her food, she had a very severe allergic reaction a few months ago and we think it might have been her food. She now eats all natural food because of it. (she is slightly spoiled)

Trinitys-Momma · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:12 am Post subject: Yogurt?

What kind of yogurt do you use. That would make sense because of the bacteria.

Trene · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:22 am Post subject:

Plain ol' yucky boring yogurt. I freeze mine in ice cube trays and put it in their kongs in AM. or you can lightly coat their kibble.

iris · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:24 am Post subject:

The main reason why dogs get ear infections is due to a food intolerance and mainly grains. That was the problem with Rocky as well. Once he was on a no grain, no corn, no rice diet never since have we had to worry about ear infections. He was getting them really bad to a point where his head would smell, this really bed smell. They have been completely clean since we figured out he was intolerant to grains.

peppernaei · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:25 am Post subject:

I used organic plain yogurt -- just milk and bacteria with no additives, gelatin, etc. I use it straight from the fridge and just put a gob on their food.

Aces-Wild · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:28 am Post subject:

I give Ace a big dollop of plain, non fat yogurt ontop of his kibble every morning. He absolutely loves it, goes nutso when he sees the container!
I think it has helped greatly with his ears, definitely reduced the amount of waxy stuff. I use a cotton ball or a twisted up paper towel soaked in ear cleaner to clean once a week. Just wondering what food you're using?

Bunker · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:29 am Post subject:

I put a small handful of kibble in his kong and let a spoonful of plain, lowfat yogurt run down thru it then freeze.

iris · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:31 am Post subject:

Question for you guys using yogurt:
Has the ear wax decreased or disappeared all together?

We never have any ear wax that is why i was wondering, at least not since we got rid of the ear infections!

Welches · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:33 am Post subject:

Yep, same here - plain, non-fat yogurt. Lexi had bad ear problems when we rescued her but hasn't even had to have them cleaned since we started them on the yogurt. We give it to them every morning with their kibble (which is a hypo-allergenic food for dogs with sensitivities). Try giving her a small amount first to make sure she doesn't have a reaction.

Aces-Wild · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:34 am Post subject:

Wrench · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:40 am Post subject:

Following everyones advice on here I tried the yogurt...I cleaned them, once that week ( from about every day before) and then the last week I keep checking and they don't need cleaning at all! awesome!

Trinitys-Momma · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:52 am Post subject:

Wow! Sounds like the yogurt really works. We have a store in my town called Natural Goodness its an AMAZING store. After Trinitys allergic reaction the vet put her on Hills ZD it was almost $80 a bag!!! I go to the natural goodness store now and the food is called Evo. It is grain free. She loves it. It has things like pumkin seed, garlic, sardines, tomato, berries and other stuff too. And no her breath doesnt smell any worse than normal. haha

Welches · Posted: Wed Jun 25, 2008 11:58 am Post subject:

Yep, EVO is great. It's made by the same company that makes California Natural, which is what we use. They also make great treats. Here's their website in case you find other good stuff for her. http://www.naturapet.com

Most vets are not aware of the all-natural foods because it's not something they spend a lot of time on in vet school. But I've been educating my vet a bunch!! In fact, my vet in TN ended up carrying EVO and Cal Nat in her office after she discovered all of the great benefits of the food.

Try the yogurt - you'll be amazed at the results!