Ear Treatment and Prevention

You can try a few different home remedies if your dog has reaccuring ear infections. First it is best to be sure that your dog does have an ear infection by having him/her checked out by your veterinarian.

The first remedy is 1/3 tea tree oil solution. 2/3 olive oil or any other light, non-toxic oil for the solution.

The second is 70% isopropyl alcohol, 10% povidone-iodine solution, or 0.5% chlorhexidine solution.

When using either of the remedies be sure to clean out the affected ear thoroughly with a rubber bulb syringe (being careful not to wedge the syringe in the ear, causing pressure to build up that can rupture the ear drum) filled with a warm antiseptic soap solution. Then you'll need to instill several drops of either of the rememdies mentioned above. If you see improvement 3-4 days, continue the treatment for two weeks. If no improvement.....seek professional help.

An easy home remedy to *prevent* ear infections (will not cure an existing one) is:

2 Tablespoons Boric Acid

4 oz Rubbing Alcohol

1 Tablespoon Glycerine

Shake well. Put 1 small eyedropperfull in each ear. Rub it around first, and then let the dog shake. Do this once a week and you shouldn't see any ear infections. It works by raising the pH level slightly inside the ear, making it less hospitable to bacteria.

Another treatment is the "Blue Power Ear Treatment"

INGREDIENTS:

16 Oz. Isopropyl Alcohol 4 Tablespoons Boric Acid Powder 16 Drops Gentian Violet Solution 1% Mix together in alcohol bottle and shake well. You will also need to shake solution every time you use it to disperse the Boric Acid Powder. To use, purchase the "Clairol" type plastic bottle to dispense solution to affected ears.

TREATMENT: Evaluate condition of ears before treating and if very inflamed and sore do not attempt to pull hair or clean out ear at all. Wait until inflammation has subsided which will be about 2 days.

Shake the bottle each time before using. Flood the ear with solution (gently squirt bottle), massage gently to the count of 60, wipe with a tissue. Flood again on first treatment, wipe with a tissue, and leave alone without massage. The dog will shake out the excess which can be wiped with a tissue, the Gentian Violet does stain fabrics.

The SCHEDULE of treatment is as follows:

Treat 2x per day for the first week to two weeks depending upon severity of ears. Treat 1x per day for the next 1-2 weeks. Treat 1x per month (or even less frequently, depending on the dog). All of these ingredients should be available at a pharmacy. Maryann and the others have found that despite the alcohol, the dog will not object to even the first treatment. The Boric Acid Powder soothes the ear. The Gentian Violet Solution is an ant-infection agent.