Curing a dog's ear infection. Cocker Spaniel who struggles frequently. Suggestions.

[FaithManor]

Our Cocker Spaniel frequently gets red, stinky, kind of festered ears. We have zymox drop which we use fairly faithfully to try to maintain infection free ears, but he ends up on antibiotics. I feel bad for him that we can't seem to cure it.

 

Has anyone used anything all natural with great success? Do you have tips for keeping your long eared fur baby free of trouble?

 

We are VERY careful when we bathe him so I don't think it's a matter of water in his ears, but I am half tempted to pull them up over his head and somehow clip them there everyday in the hopes that airing them out will help.

 

He's getting to where he really hates his ear drops and it takes two of us to hold him down.

 

Thanks,

Faith

[Vida Winter]

Try Vetericyn spray.

[mumto2]

My cocker spaniel always seemed to be suffering from ear problems. I never found a cure but I so understand your situation. I'll be following the thread just to see ... its hard when you can't really solve it.

[boscopup]

Try changing foods. Sometimes there is a food allergy involved. Pick a grain free one if you're not already feeding one.

[Pawz4me]

Ditto changing food. Chronic ear infections in dogs are frequently related to food allergies. I'd look for a limited ingredient food, one that contains one protein, carb and fat, vitamins and minerals and not much else.. Fewer ingredients means less chance of a reaction. If possible, find a food that contains a different protein and carb source than what you're currently feeding. Wellness Simple Food Solutions, Natural Balance allergy line, Blue (Buffalo) Basics and California Natural are a few examples of limited ingredient foods. Also watch commercial treats, many are full of corn and wheat. Consider a home-prepared or raw diet.

 

If your dogs ears are plucked during grooming you may want to reconsider. Current thinking is that plucking can do more harm than good and may cause/contribute to the development of ear infections.

 

Do a search for "Blue power ear cleaner for dogs." I don't know if it's considered natural or not, but I know quite a few cocker owners who swear by it.

[jg_puppy]

Have you visited Zim Cocker forum? I read on that forum often, but I don't post on it very often. Several people highly recommend Liquid Health K-9 Ear Solutions. I bought some recently, but I haven't been using it long enough to give it a personal recommendation.

 

Janet