APPLE CIDER VINEGAR

[YEA]  11/10/2009: Jessica from Arlington, Va writes: "After coming home to find my cat lethargic and disinterested in food & water, I realized his left ear was causing him extreme amounts of pain. I searched online for advice as I wasn't interested in an expensive vet bill and unnecessary tests. I stumbled upon the posts for Apple Cider Vinegar and tried it on my cat. I mixed one cap of ACV with one cap of tepid water, placed in an infant ear irrigator and squeezed as much as my cat would allow into the ear, massaging the area when possible. He wasn't a fan of the process, however, after one day he was purring and eating again. After 2.5 days, the infection released and drained. After 3 days, he's pretty much back to normal. Thank you!"

My cat has had an ear infection for over a year and a half. I have gone to four different vets and spent hundreds of dollars trying to cure it. After reading this site, I poured half a cap full of ACV mixed with half a cap full of water on a cotton ball and cleaned her ears for 3 days straight. It's been 2 weeks, and the infection is still gone! No more black gunk in her ears for the first time in years!!! Thank you Earth Clinic for recommending this!"

I am completely new at this, since he is my first puppy. I will appreciate any feedback. Thanks!"

[YEA]  08/04/2009: Nancy from Denver, Co writes: "I have a stray cat I adopted whose right ear stunk and was oozing gunky brown stuff. Took him to a low cost clinic where I sat for 3 hours before being seen then was told it was a yeast and bacterial infection. They couldn't treat him till he was sedated and had bloodwork. Come back tomorrow, they said...Didn't want to wait hours and hours again so I took him to my vet who said he had an ear tumor and no infection whatsoever....Gee, who was I to believe? I saw the ACV treatment on this site and figured I didn't have anything to lose. I've treated him 2 times and most of the gunk is gone and not coming back each morning. The smell is only half as bad as it was. This is great...I see most people only used this on dogs..any other cat people out there? How many days did you treat your feline?"

[QUESTION]  07/31/2009: Vfamily from Evergreen, Co writes: "We will try the ACV, but first have a question: Wondering if our dog's infection is different than the rest of yours? I hear the ACV is only for certain types of infections, and many of you mention classic symptoms of itching, redness, pain - sometimes associated with swimming. Our lab doesn't swim (i know, weird) - but we've been to the vet three times $$$ getting antibiotics and washes for her ear. Her symptoms - not to gross anyone out, but - include major discharge, creamy and then hardens to a dark brown color. Very messy, hardens around the ear... Is this more severe than all you are talking about, or just a different type of infection? Does anyone have experience with the ACV OR White vinegar treatments for infections that include this infectious discharge? Thanks so much for your help!... :)"

[QUESTION]  07/25/2009: Pacha from London, UK writes: "Hi,

My cocker spaniel have been suffering from recurring ear infections for months. The last treatment from the vet hasn't helped at all. I've started to use ACV (1/2 ACV with 1/2 water).

I have a few questions: The brown discharge coming out of her ears seemed to increase at first: is it normal?

Also the vet used to tell me to clean her ears with cotton budds and try to go as deep as possible in the ear canal. However I was wondering whether the "rubbing" is making matter worse. Especially that in most of the testimonies I've read, people seem to use a kleenex or cotton ball to wipe the solution, which makes me think that they don't go as deep.

My last questions regard the length of the treatment? When do you know when to stop? How often should you do it to prevent any infection coming back. I did it every day for a week and it seemed to get better so I waited and when I saw my dog starting scratching her ears 5 days later, I used the ACV again. The quantity of brown discharge was considerable. I'm not sure whether I should carry on with it. Please help."

07/08/2009: Daniel from Indianapolis, IN writes: "Well let the ear flapping begin. My 4 yr old lab has chronic ear infections and I just cant afford 150.00 vet bill every few months. I just gave him his first dose of 1/2 acv and 1/2 water. I am keeping my fingers crossed."

[YEA]  06/24/2009: Aeroplaneflier from Sacramento, CA writes: "My new cat had been suffering on and off from an ear infection for nearly three months. He'd had a dark, crusty buildup in his ears that was so bad I had to clean them twice a day. So of course, I took him to the vet, who prescribed $150 worth of medication on top of the $90 I had to pay for vet visits (initial and the follow-up visit). I treated him with the meds exactly like I was told to do. I switched his food because the vet had suggested he might be allergic to what I was feeding him, and I also started giving him fish oil supplements. While the meds helped enough for the vet to declare that my cat was cured when I brought him in for a follow-up, the infection promptly came back a week later. Frustrated by the idea that I had just thrown so much money at what seemed like such a small problem, I thought there had to be an easier, cheaper way to cure a simple bacterial/yeast infection. This led me to the internet, where I discovered earth clinic and the success that others had had with apple cider vineger. I had some in my kitchen and decided I had nothing to lose, so I started treating him with a solution of 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water in a spray bottle. I either sprayed it in (which he doesn't like too much but which seemed to be the most effective way of getting it in) or used cotton balls soaked in it to wipe his ears out, once a day for a couple of weeks. It's gone from one ear completely, and the other ear is almost back to normal. I'll probably keep treating his ears once a week or so on a regular basis. I am SO happy I could get rid of his ear infection without having to throw my money away at the vet's office."

06/06/2009: Lay93007 from Green Bay, WI writes: "This isn't a remedy I'm posting I'm actually curious as to the measurements and how many times a day and how many days should I give my dog the apple cider vinegar. And would vinegar work instead or does it have to be ACV? My dog has had 4 ear infections since February and I keep going to the vet just to get more medicine and for them to tell me the same thing over. Thanks guys."

[YEA]  05/20/2009: Shaun from Portsmouth, UK writes: "What a great site.

I was hurriedly looking for a natural way of treating an infection in my dog's ears, which was getting out of control. I had already spent a small fortune at various vets, and had lost faith in them.
Yes, my eye focused on articles, reference to ACV.
Yes, I had second thoughts.

Well I have given ACV a try,( equal parts ACV and water) and I am amazed at the results in only 3 days. The infection is how under control and I am sure a few more days, it will be gone. Honestly, I would say to others, it's worked for me and my dog.

It's not the fact I have saved on a large vet bill, but most importantly I have a cure that works and it's natural.

Shaun"

05/16/2009: Jim from Green Bay, Wisconsin writes: "we have an old shepard mx. he has always been a tremendously obidient dog. I was seriously worried when what seemed like an ear infection started affecting his hearing and seemingly his internal compass. It happened almost overnite. we thought maybe he had a stroke, not being able to afford vet bills we hoped for a rebound, he is slightly better. But in my search for a solution i found this site. i am immediatley goin to try acv hope it works good for a great dog!"

I have a sixteen month old Lhasa Apso who started getting ear infections around 6 months of age. In the past year she has seen the vet 4 times for her ear infections. I would administer the prescribed anti-biotics exactly as directed until the medication ran out. However, the infection kept coming back, ans spread from the right ear to both ears. It killed me to see her in pain all the time, stopping to scratch and pound at her ear every few minutes. Also, the smell was very rancid and almost unbearable. I was afraid that some sort of surgery might be necessary to correct the problem. THEN I found Earth Clinic. I read the dozens of post regarding ACV and pets. After a few days of research I decided to give it a try.

I bought organic apple cider vinegar from my local health food store. I emptied the contents of the squirt bottle full of solution from the vet and washed and dried it. I put 1/3 ACV and the other 2/3's distilled water. I then put the mixture in both ears, dried out the ears with a kleenex, then put a squirt of pet ear powder (that I bought from the pet supply store) in each ear to absorb all excess moisture.

I have to be honest, as soon as I put the mixture in her right ear she thrashed and banged her head against the couch and itched at it for a good 10-15 minutes. HOWEVER, within an hour I noticed she had stopped itching her ears. The next day she had completely stopped itching her ears and the odor was gone. I repeated the process on day 2 and 3 and I am confident that the ACV has treated her ear infection. I stopped after 3 days. A week has passed and she no longer pounds her head on the couch or hits at her ears. I am a firm believer in the power of ACV and have started taking it internally myself.

Please note, I noticed that after I administered the ACV my dog started to pant and seemed very dehydrated. I made sure that she drank plenty of water during the 3 days of treatment.

Not only will this method save me hundreds of dollars in doctors visits and prescription cost, but I no longer have to see my lil girl in discomfort and pain due to chronic ear infections. THANK YOU so much earth clinic and all of you who have posted your experiences!!! Give ACV a try!"

I took my Lab to the vet because he had a smelly ear infection in both ears. The vet gave me 3 different products for his ears.($$$) He told me it was very severe and it was yeast. When I got home and thought about the situation, I decided to try something natural first. I diluted the apple cider vinegar and washed out his ears the first day and then used a cotton ball soaked in diluted ACV the next couple days and it was gone-no redness, no smell, and he stopped scratching at his ears. I got rid of the products from the vet and now if he goes for a swim I wipe out his ears with the ACV."

[QUESTION]  01/12/2009: Bonnie from Waterbury, CT writes: "I am about to try apple cider vinegar mixed with 1/2 water for an ear infection on my Westie. I only have distilled white vinegar on hand. Will that be good or should I go out and get the apple cider vinegar?"

[NAY]  12/20/2008: CHARLIE from FT. SMITH, AR writes: "CAN SOMEBODY PLEASE HELP!!

MY DOG HAS A BAD EAR INFECTION. HE HAS BEEN TO THE VET A FEW TIMES ALREADY AND BEEN ON 3 DIFFERENT ANTIBIOTICS.

BETWEEN VET VISITS I TRIED THE APPLE CIDER VINEGAR IN THE EARS, BUT IT DIDN'T HELP. TOLD THE VET ABOUT THE ACV TREATMENT AND HE SAID THAT WOULD ONLY HELP WITH CERTAIN TYPES OF INFECTION. HAVE SPENT A SMALL FORTUNE AND NOTHING HAS HELPED.

I HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT PUTTING SOME IODINE DROPS IN THE EARS TO SEE IF THAT WOULD HELP, BUT HAVEN'T YET.

ANYONE EVER TRIED IODINE IN THE EARS BEFORE?

ANY SUGGESTIONS??????????????

THANK YOU.........."

[YEA]  12/06/2008: Laura from Cambridge, Ontario, Canada writes: "I have a 3 yr old labradoodle. He has had nasty ears for as long as I can remember, especially after her goes swimming in the lake.
A friend told me about ACV a few years back and it has become a routine in our house. When he starts to shake his head a lot, and I ask him if he needs his ears cleaned he will go and actually get the bottle off our island shelf and bring it to me. If it is a full bottle, he will just bring the papertowels (since they are lighter). If I ever pull out the ACV for any other reason, he gets all excited and sits like a good boy waiting for a cleaning (even if he doesnt really need one). Amazing how greatful he is for the stuff!!

I use full strength. I dip my finger in it and then rub it in his ear - let it sit for a second then wipe it out with paper towel. Scout wont let me use q-tips or cotton balls. I find using my finger gives me a chance to get into all the hiding spots for the crud. It is completley nasty but, he's my baby and its worth it! When I get a good spot, he always gives out a good relaxing breath like he is having a great massage."

11/28/2008: Tricia from Hampton Roads, Virginia writes: "I have a Cocker Spaniel that always gets ear infections. I found this site and read all the reviews on using ACV to treat the infection. My question is how do I know how to mix it and how much to put in his ear ? Do I Dilute the ACV with water ? If someone could tell me that would be helpful. Thanks."

[YEA]  11/20/2008: Carrigan from Monticello, MN writes: "I have a 7 year old Wiemaraner who has always had bad build up in his ears. Recently he had a flare up and I decided to try cleaning his ears with the 1 part ACV and 2 parts water. I cleaned it every day for 4 days straight, and by day 2 the smell had already went away. After the 4th day it has returned to normal!!! I'm so glad we didn't have to waste $$ at the Vet but the best part is using a natural remedy. Also, this year I tried using ACV for his summer/fall skin allergies but was not successful. Thank you so much for this great site and all the people who take time to post!"

[YEA]  08/27/2008: Cheryl from Ottawa, Canada writes: "So the ACV seems to be working already. I have administered 2 doses so far. The barking has stopped! Acv is definitely my Cure-All, I've even added it to my cats' water just to clean their systems. Couldn't hurt!"

08/26/2008: Cheryl from Ottawa, Canada writes: "So this is my second time trying ACV for our Old English Sheepdog pup. (the first for a UTI) She's been barking at us for unknown reasons & we were all getting frustrated. While grooming her I thought I should clean her ears. Her left had quite a bit of dark wax. After reading this sites' advice I have now given her a treatment of ACV & water directly into her ear canals then wiped with a soft facecloth. I'll let you know how it works."

[YEA]  03/27/2008: Harry from Montreal, Canada writes: "Apple Cider Vinegar. IT REALLY WORKS!!! Thanks to all who have posted about using ACV for curing dog ear infection. I used 2 parts water to 1 part ACV as per some post, mixed in squeeze bottle, and applied once a day. This is day four, and my pooch has started to stop shaking her head or scratch her ears. I know its working because there is no longer any rancid smell coming out from her ears. Love this natural way of healing, instead of the chemiacl soup I have tried."

[YEA]  02/21/2008: Marie from Walnut Creek, California writes: "I wasn't sure if it would work, but I had already spent $165 over 3 months on medications from my vet to cure my dog's itchy ear problems. Nothing seemed to work and his ears kept getting worse. He kept scratching them open until they bled. I used 1 part ACV to 2 parts water applied daily, and within 4 days his ears were all healed. Amazing results!"

[YEA]  02/06/2008: Kathleen from San Antonio, Tx. writes: "Apple Cider Vinegar is wonderful to clean out my German Shepherd's ears, when his ears are bothering him. He will shake his head, and I just put an apple cider and water solution on a cotton ball, and clean out his ears, and in ten minutes he stops fussing and lays down and finally can rest. My husband takes white vinegar and soaks his feet in it, and no more athelets foot! It is wonderful for killing any kind of fungus or bacterial infections. Thanks so much for the advice!"

01/10/2008: La Verne from Hampton Roads, Virginia writes: "Dear Users of the Earth Clinic website, I have been reading your comments and I have been truly amazed at the information on this site. I have a 6 year old German Shepherd. Chronic ear infections. I have been going to the vet on a Teacher's salary and it has taken me straight to the poor house. With your comments and remedies about ACV and other home rememdies... I feel like I have gone to church and been Saved!!! I will definately try these rememdies. Last summer my dogs' ear infection had gotten so out of control that I seriously thought about having my 102 pound girl put down. She was in such misery and turmoil. So was I , not getting any sleep for all the scratching and digging, whining and crying... it was Awful. Thanks to you readers of Earth Clinic I have new hope! Please keep sending your comments and suggestions for pet remedies. You have definately helped me out!!! Thank-You Thank-You!"