Today I’m going to talk about how to prevent ear infections in dogs. Any dog can get an ear infection, but those of us with long floppy ears are much more likely to have the problem, and if your inner ears are hairy like mine, you are destined for ear trouble! I first posted about how I cured my chronic ear infections back in 2012.
I was born with super long cute ears. Mom was told about keeping my ears clean and possibly plucking out some inner ear hair, but we had no idea these ears would be such a magnet for infections.
I’m a pretty furry girl, even the inside of my ears are furry. It really is no surprise, when my vet looked into my ears at the time I was six months old, there was a lot of stuff down in there. I had chronic ear infections for the first four to five years of my life. It was really bad and Mom was not happy giving me antibiotics all the time for the infections.
My groomer shaves around the opening to my ear canal to help keep stuff from accumulating in there. We tried around a bizillion different ear cleaners from prescription, to expensive, and cheap off the shelf cleaners, but nothing worked, and they seemed to cause an infection within a few days. We started wondering if there really was a way to prevent ear infections in dogs.
Some long ear dogs like my sister Bailie don’t have as much inner ear fur. She has never had an ear infection. We don’t know if it is her, or the fact that she has been using my ear wash recipe since she was a pup, but we are thrilled she has healthy ears!
Through Facebook, Mom stumbled onto a breeder talking about homemade ear cleaner and how it was the best ever. We were desperate and willing to try anything, so we downloaded the recipe, made a batch and started using it. Before using this, your dogs ears need to be infection free, and we suggest you check with your vet. This is a recipe we are sharing because it is a miracle for us, but it may not be right for all dogs. We have since found out, my groomer uses the same recipe in her salon and on her own Cocker Spaniel, and it is a well know recipe among breeders of long ear dogs.
I used this ear cleaner as directed the first weeks, Bailie and I use it now once a month, after we go swimming, and I have been infection free for about five years now. It is wonderful! Long, furry, floppy ears should be fun, not infected! If you’re looking for a way to prevent ear infections in dogs, I highly recommend you download and try the Blue Power Ear Wash.
sometimes the old recipes work the best – Mom can remember using gentian violet all the time – she lived at the beach when she was little and was always getting cuts from shells on her feet. She would soak her feet in a mix of gentian violet to stop them getting infected.
That is interesting. It does make our inner ear purple for a day or so, but that is not a big deal.
Miley tends to suffer from ear infections in one ear. I’ve been cleaning them daily with baby wipes but I’m definitely going to give this a try! Thanks for sharing!!
This has been a miracle for us and several friends have tried it over the years and are also hooked on it.
Going to give it a try. After $2000 and months of food changes and antibiotics this will be my next step.
You sound like you are at the point we were at when we found this. Mom didn’t think there was a cure for me. Everyone had a different idea, a different ear wash, nothing worked. This worked right away, and ever since. Now I don’t even mind if Mom pokes around in my ears.
I’ve had some ear problems too but they were caused by food allergies. It’s a shame that dog’s like you with such pretty ears have such problems. Love Dolly
It’s all the fur in there that stays moist and dark and just makes a perfect place for bacteria to make a home. This ear wash has solved all our issues. We were told it was food too, but that is obviously not the case since I still eat everything and have no more issues.
I’ve been wanting to try this for years and I know we’ve talked about it! I can not seem to locate Boric acid around here though! I’m going to step up my search this week.
Try Walgreens or somewhere like that, or ask the pharmacist. We had to have them order the Genitian Violet as it was not in stock around here. Definitely try it!
I just got this comment from Melissa, she is using it on Bentley and it is working really well. “We found the Genetian Violet at CVS. It was behind the pharmacistβs counter so I had to ask for it. I finally found Boric Acid at Drug Emporium in the first aid section.” It might be different in every state, not sure.
That’s the Blue Stuff people on the PBGV-L talk about. My groomer said my ears were really dirty at my last grooming. I have not had ear infections but maybe the mom should use it on me to help keep my ears clean. Thanks, Emma. XOXO Sparkle the PBGV
That’s the stuff you are talking about. You should use it if you collect things in your ears before you start collecting infections. One batch lasts forever!
Great tips. Thankfully we don’t really have a problem here with ears, but I’ll keep this in mind just in case.
It is amazing and works so well.
Emma that’s great… many thanks for this link. I have to see the vet tomorrow and we let him check my ears and then we try that magic potion :o)
It truly is a magic potion!
Great post! I had my first ever ear infection over Christmas and it was no fun for anyone! I pinned this post for future reference! π
Ear infections are the worst. The best thing is to start now when you have no infection and use it once a month to stay that way. We just do it every month along with our heartworm pills.
What a great find!! Arty is also prone to ear infections, we will have to give this a try too!!
Smileys!
Dory, Jakey, Arty and Bilbo
I bet it would be the end to his infections too. I’ve given the recipe to several dog friends and it has helped all of them.
Hmmm interesting! I have actually not heard of this before, but maybe I’ll give it a try some time.
I would think having worked at a vet clinic you would have, but they may not have known of it. It works wonders.
Our Car-Li also has an earful of fur, and had chronic ear infections, we even tried using headbands, and hair clips, to keep her ears exposed to air, but her ears aren’t as long as yours are and every time she shook her head, out they came.
Our solution…along with a great groomer willing to pluck all her hairs really well, has been organic apple cider vinegar. I sprinkle a teaspoon on their food at dinner and she stays infection free…as long as we get her groomed on time and all that fur doesn’t get gunked up in her small ears. It’s funny that my girls have had the ACV on their food so long they’ll eat dressed salads and other acidic foods!
We also have a prescription flush that helps keep her ears clean, but if they ever become an issue again, I’d definitely try this! Thanks for another great recipe!
I get my ear furs plucked out every 2-3 months and this solutions once a month and I’m good. It works great! Hope Car-Li’s ears stay healthy.
Thanks for the tip! Eko used to be ear infection prone, but like you I do my best to prevent them all together with regular maintenance. I think I’ll have to add your secret sauce to our arsenal.
Ear infections are no fun at all. This stuff is magical, pretty cheap to make a batch and it lasts a long time.
We HATE ear infections! I used to get them a ton but now just every now and then but no matter what they are AWFUL! My sister doesn’t get them at all. Which is so UNFAIR. Mom is intrigued with your recipe and might give that a try and make it a usual maintenance thing. They are so yucky. Great post, Emma! your doodle friend Dash
First of the month, today, as a matter of fact means ear cleaner for all of us. It really is a great recipe.
I always felt so badly for her because I grew up having constant ear infections and used to scream and cry all night. Getting my tonsils and adenoids out helped, but I needed to get tubes every time I flew, and now, because muscular dystrophy has greatly weakened my Eustachian tubes, I have long lasting tubes in them.
These poor pooches act so tough when they must feel miserable!
I wouldn’t let anyone near my ears for a couple years there. Mom has never had an ear infection, so she doesn’t know the pain.
Emma my sweetie, I am on my third week of this recipe. Mom says that my ears have zero smell in them for the first time in forever! Even on our best days they always smelled slightly yeasty. She has tried a bazillion others too and while a few showed promise, in the long run they didn’t prevent an infection. We are all praying this is our answer and we owe it all to you. β₯ β₯ We found the Genetian Violet at CVS. It was behind the pharmacist’s counter so I had to ask for it. I finally found Boric Acid at Drug Emporium in the first aid section. I have been telling everyone about it because I am so excited. LOL!
β₯ β₯ Your Basset, Bentley
We get asked so often about our ear solution, we decided to post about it again in the hopes of helping more pups have good ears once again. I know it will work for you because my floppy ears were about as bad as it can get! I’m so happy for you and your family…nothing worse than being smelly and people talking about you!
Ear infections are horrible. Informative post, Emma! Thank you!
They are horrid, and I don’t miss having them one little bit!
That is a terrific thing to share as those darn ear infections are horrible!
They sure are, especially with huge ears like mine!
Isn’t it FABULOUS when FINALLY an answer is found… and this one seems to be a true BLUE MIRACLE fur YOU. We are really happy about THAT.
It is priceless. So thrilled to have found this.
I’m so glad for you that you finally found something that works, and continues to work! We’ve only had occasional issues with ear infections around here. Kobi used to get some and Sheba had a bad one once. But as long as I clean hers once a month now she doesn’t have any issues so far. I’ll keep this in mind if that ever changes!
I think some of us are just prone to them, and not others. We are so thankful to have found our solution.
Good info. Momma is always cleaning our stuffs
Lily & Edward
If you have ear issues, give it a try!
You do have the world’s cutest ears! Always good to take care of them. Glad you found something that works.
They are real cute, but a lot of work too.
Great post, Emma! We might try this ear wash! The girls get infections if I don’t clean their ears after they’ve played in water or after baths. This sounds great and I’m really glad it’s helped you!
It’s so great no longer having infections. This ear cleaner has changed my life.
Ear infections are s horrid. Luckily Kilo has been OK so far (I have a sore one today as rotten flu). We used to use GV on cuts growing up. Makes sense. So happy this recipe is working for you and thanks for sharing in case we need.
It is amazing how well it works. We tried so many and nothing worked, but this works like a charm.
Mr. N has long floppy ears but like Bailie, he doesn’t have much ear hair so he’s been infection-free so far. I’ll keep your recipe in mind though!
I have enough ear hair for a family of six at least. It really causes problems.
Emma – I also have to clean the Boys ears to make sure they don’t get an infection. I use a prescription solution, but I may have to try your Mom’s recipe. Thanks
This recipe is awesome, pretty inexpensive, and lasts a long time. We swear by it.
that’s the magic ear clean “the blue stuff” that everyone talks about on the net. I’m glad it works for you and yes much easier to prevent ear infections then having to treat them.
It is, but so many people have never heard of us including us for a long time. We like to spread the word about stuff that works well for us.
Ahh, great tips! I never really thought about the fact that dogs with floppier ears have a higher risk of infection. Makes sense! lol
α¦ husky hugz α¦ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
You folks with the standing ears get air in all the time to help dry them out and let light in. Long floppy ears are dark, warm, and damp…bacteria paradise!
Great information. Brown dawgs have only had a eat infection once in a blue moon. When they are swimming regularly, they don’t seem to have any ear issues.
They don’t have such huge ears and I would guess the flapping they do helps to dry them out.
Thanks so much for sharing this! I haven’t heard of it before but we’ve tried many different products for recurring infections. I’m definitely going to give this a shot and I’ll let you know how it works for Haley.
I would bet my own furry ears it will work well for Haley. You just have to follow the directions for the first few weeks and then once a month. I know several dogs who swear by it now too after getting my recipe.
That’s awesome Emma, thank you for sharing it!! I mostly need a cleaner for my guys. Sampson’s ears are usually pretty clean, but sometimes I think Delilah is farming potatoes in hers. π
Oh my! Clean ears are so very important. It’s the only thing we have ever found that works for us, and one batch of “the recipe” lasts like years.
Like all poodles, Sam is prone to ear infections as well. I work hard at keeping the hairs plucked much to Sam’s chagrin but plan to make a batch of this stuff just in case. You’re pawsome for sharing. Thank you for posting, Emma! α¦
My ears get plucked regularly too. It is important to follow the directions to get it started and then use it once a month to keep the ears in good shape.