59 User Reviews
| 5 star (47) | 80% | |
| 4 star (1) | 2% | |
| 1 star (8) | 14% | |
 (3) |
5% |
★★★★★
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!
(Tustin,ca)
11/12/2013
A few days ago, I found out my dog ear had black gunk and the pink ear is now brown. First I cleaned the black gunk out and then a fistful Diatomaceous earth rubbed inside his ear. Right before walking him I did this for several days.
I gave him 2 coffee enemas two days apart 60 ml syringe with one single packet of pure instant coffee.
And then I gave him 2grams of TMG.
TMG basically detoxes heavy metal. and my dog is less than 10 poounds. 2 gram might be twoo much? yesterday and today my dog is especially playing hard..So I think not.
It has been 5 days. His both inner ears are pink. And I will not give him a bath another week or so just to be sure.
(Mpls., Mn)
11/13/2013
Thank you, Fiona!
I did not know about TMG: http://www.arrowheadhealthworks.com/TMG.htm
There is some dosing info if you scroll down.
I admit I was surprised at your giving a coffee enema to your dog; granted, I must admit to having given a douche to MY own dog so I should not be one to raise an eyebrow! :-)
My first thought about gunky black ears was yeast; when I looked up the benefits of coffee enemas I found they can help get a handle on yeast! Too cool!
http://www.naplesnews.com/news/2013/jul/09/ask-the-pharmacist-benefits-of-coffee-enemas/
Thanks for the feedback, Fiona, and please keep us posted on if the gunky ear returns!
Apple Cider Vinegar
★☆☆☆☆
Am i doing something wrong? should I do it more than once a day? should I put more drops in it? Also I have realized that cleaning with a cotton swab doesn't really take much out..I'm scared of trying a q-tip since i've heard it can make it worst.
I am completely new at this, since he is my first puppy. I will appreciate any feedback. Thanks!
(Asheville, Nc)
10/08/2009
My dog has ear infections too the vet said to clean them with q-tips because it is not going to hurt his ear because the ear cannal is L-shaped so I would go ahead and use q-tips if I were you.
(St. Johns, Newfoundland)
10/14/2009
I've got a yellow lab, now 11 months old. For the first 5-6 months she had several ear infections. I found that since her ears are pretty large a Q-tip or cotton ball wasn't overly helpful. The vet told me to pour the cleaner in her ear, and take a tissue (just 1-2 pieces folded over) and cover my finger, then actually stick my finger in her ear. Just go as far as the ear will allow, don't push it, and wipe gently with your finger. I find that this works so much better than a Q tip and she seems to find my finger much less irritating than the Q-tip as well. Hope this helps!
(Mexico City, Gto)
04/19/2010
I too have had a few dogs with reacurring ear infections. Had no idea about apple cider vinegar. I will try now. But what has worked for me in the past is vitamin E oil. You can find oil in herbal section with pills or if not you can actually break open the vit E pills and put directly into the canal. This was the only thing that worked for me with my shepard after numerous reacurring ear infections. Also i find q tips easy if you wet it with peroxide and/or getting a cloth wet with the vinegar and using the finger that way if your dog wont let u see into the ear you can feel where you are cleaning.
EC: APPLE CIDER VINEGAR -- AND WATER. One part ACV to two parts water seems about right.
(Spokane, Wa)
12/02/2014
★★★★★
My own experience.... 2 parts olive oil to 1 part ACV with the mother .... Works miracles with only 2 treatments plus helps with a shiny coat and controls helps hair balls..... I never use anything else.
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
EC: APPLE CIDER VINEGAR -- AND WATER. One part ACV to two parts water seems about right.
(Manitowoc, Wisconsin)
08/06/2009
After hearing about using rubbing alcohol and vinegar for ear infections in people, I tried it on my cat, just in one ear. I soaked the corner of a wash cloth with a mixture of half rubbing alcohol and half apple cider vinegar and squeezed and rubbed it into her ear for maybe half a minute. Afterward she shook her head good to get the liquid out. She looks more comfortable now two days later, but there is still gunk in her ear (and the other ear). Tomorrow I'll do it again with the suggested solution instead, and on both ears. And clean them out with Q-tips.
She's been eating cat kibble. So I gave her some thawed fish fillets last night, and a chicken liver tonight. I'm her favorite person when I walk in the door now... Except that I had the nerve to put apple cider vinegar in that nice canned salmon... After giving her and the others apple cider vinegar for a few days their coats are getting soft and shiney. We have one with a crippled front paw who can't reach to clean herself well, and tonight her fur was soft and clean feeling. What a blessing...
Apple Cider Vinegar
(Sauk City, Wisconsin)
08/27/2009
to the Vfamily...I have not yet tried ACV myself but getting ready to in the next few days. Your Lab isn't weird but I would change vets. For one thing 2 drops of anything in a dogs ears won't do anything. Find out more on how your dogs' ears are built. The ear canal takes a j-hook whitch is why they are prone to infection in the first place. Yeast are hard to kill. Does your dog have yeast or a bacterial infection? Your vet can tell you that. Do not use a q-tip or cotton swab to clean inside your dogs ears. Again the design of the ear canal makes them kind of useless. I always use a cotton ball. And you can soak your cotton ball in your mixture or solution, then push it into your dogs ear and squish it around so it gets to the areas beyond that curve. My Shadow has major ear probs. Had a little hematoma and her ears were actually swollen so bad that the vet couldn't see into them. It also made it diffacult to get meds into. Originally I did get some antibotic drop to put in there, then I changed vets and learned a whole lot of things, as I have been explaining here. You must be aggressive to beat an ear infection of any kind bacterial or yeast. Don't give up. Does your dog have food allergies? Change to a limited ingredient dog food or feed a raw diet. Does your dog have seasonal allergies? It is a sad fact that some vets will just keep you coming back to them for more meds, costing you more money. What we really need to figure out is the cause and the maintaince proceedures we need to take to prevent this from coming back again and again.I will post the results of my testing of ACV and or anyother remedies that I try. I have been asking other "trusted" dog owners that I know also of any remedies they have had success with. I hope you the best. Read everything you can about ears problems in dogs and about dog foods and vaccinations. Good Luck!!!
EC: APPLE CIDER VINEGAR -- AND WATER. One part ACV to two parts water seems about right.
Apple Cider Vinegar
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.
(Manitowoc, Wisconsin)
08/06/2009
(Manitowoc, Wisconsin)
08/06/2009
(Chantilly, Va)
08/11/2009
We adopted a very old Cocker Spaniel from a relative who had really bad ear infections. I came up with a way to allow more air to get into the ear canals and help prevent some of the reoccurring infections. There are 2 ways; first you get a rubberband and pull the hair from the ends of the floppy ears together, above their head, and bunch them up. You have to get a pretty good amount of hair and use a smaller rubberband, or 2. The other way is to create a sling for both of their ears. I made 2 loops using some elastic cord from a dust mask and connected them together with another piece of elastic. In this shape O--O. The ears go in the holes and the tension can be adjusted by the piece in between. It will not lift them completely up, but it will give them an inch or so which helps keep them inhospitable to the infections. I think the best way is the first, just make sure to put some sunblock on the inside of the ears if they will be outside with you for a couple of hours. Don't want them getting burned.
Another thing that helps ear infections in general is to put a warm/hot compress on the outside of the ears below the opening to the ear. This will weaken the bacteria or fungi and increase circulation.
Cheers, Peace and Happy Trails!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
Apple Cider Vinegar
EC: APPLE CIDER VINEGAR -- AND WATER. One part ACV to two parts water seems about right.
(Plantation, Fl)
07/05/2009
(Indianapolis, Indiana)
10/23/2009
My Golden Retriever has had some persistent ear infections. To treat them, I have to be persistent, too! Undiluted alcohol and vinegar would probably burn your poor dog's ear a LOT. Try a cup of warm water and 2 Tablespoons of apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball, twice a day (it is easiest to do one early and one before bedtime). This worked and clear up a really persistent, ongoing infection. The vet just kept wanting to give meds. Go the natural route. It's cheaper and just as effective, but you must be persistent and do not skip days (or the infection will sneak back up).
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
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
(Miami, Florida, USA)
08/09/2009
can u tell me exactly what u did to your dog that it worked? how many drops a day and how u cleaned the ear? I am having trouble figuring it, I've been doing it for my dogs for a few days now but he continues to scratch. Thanks!
EC: APPLE CIDER VINEGAR -- AND WATER. One part ACV to two parts water seems about right.
(Overlnad Park, Ks)
10/05/2009
When my lab, campbell, got an ear infection, i spent several hundred dollars on vet bills. When there was no change, i switched vets. My new vet gave me specific insturctions on how to flush out his ears with the solution. I used a squeeze bottle with a vinagar solution. I squeezed the solutions into the ear canal until there was enough solution to fill the ear. Make sure you have a hold of your dog, don't let him shake his head yet. place your finger an thumb just below the ear and behind the jaw. You will feel the canal under the skin. Massage the canal, letting the fluid seep into the canal. Do this for AT LEAST 60 SEC. you will know you are doing it right when you hear a squishing sound. Let your dog shake its head. Then wipe out the brown residue that is left in the ear. Do this three times a day, until there is no more brown stuff and no more odor. Its messy, but it worked for us.
EC: APPLE CIDER VINEGAR -- AND WATER. One part ACV to two parts water seems about right.
Apple Cider Vinegar
EC: APPLE CIDER VINEGAR -- AND WATER. One part ACV to two parts water seems about right.
(Manitowoc, Wisconsin)
08/06/2009
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
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!
(Clarksville, TN 37043)
04/23/2009
(Greenwich, Ct)
10/12/2010
Thank you for writing that your dog was thrashing and trying to get at its ear. My dog has had on and off again chronic ear infection for the past few yers. Its a terrible thing. I feel so guilty and everyone always asks me what's wrong with her ears. I feel like a bad owner. I've tried all the vet and store products. Well, I decided to give the ACV/Alcohol and water treatment. She looked like she was in so much pain and was trying to get at her ear. I felt so bad! But, then afterwards, she panted, drank water and seemed to calm down. I noticed that her ear no longer smelled and that it seemed to be clearing up. Less stuff in her ears. I was doing every other day, but I will try 3 days in a row like suggested. I just want to make sure I'm not hurting her further.
(New Zealand)
05/31/2013
★★★★★
Well my daughters choc lab has had trouble with ear infections nearly every time she goes swimming (which is often) ever since she got her. Very distressing. Vet treatments didn't seem that effective. So I tried her with the apple cider vinegar this morning. She was very disressed when I put it in and I felt real bad but now a couple of hours later she has stopped shaking her head and seems much happier. Have just given another rinse out and her ear is obviously feeling heaps better as she didn't worry much at all this time. Will keep up for another couple of days then use as a preventative treatment. Great remedy.
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
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.
EC: APPLE CIDER VINEGAR -- AND WATER. One part ACV to two parts water seems about right.
(Hollywood, Fl, Us)
10/10/2012
Looking forward to trying the ACV & Water mixture for our Catahoula mix we adopted about 2 months ago. Since having him he has been on a mixture of medications with no relief from his chronic ear infections. We were told from the shelter he was tested for allergies and is allergic to pollen and molds and was on and off medications the entire year he was at the shelter. In addition to the roller coaster of antibiotics, he is also on an allergy medicine trial called Allercept (started while in the shelter). This dog has the sweetest disposition for being so uncomfortable, we want to do anything to help him get better. However, we are concerned with the continued use of medications and the mounting vet bills.
I have also switched his food recently to a grain, yeast, gluten free diet (salmon based) in case his ear infections could be related to food allergies... which I have also read a lot connecting the two.
So happy to have found this site.... Any recommendations on how much to apply each time and how frequently? Thanks again.
(Milton, Canada)
01/05/2013
(Pennsylvania)
05/03/2015
This mixture didn't work for my samoyed at ALL! He started flipping out right away and rubbing his ear on the floor. It made it a heck of a lot worse!
Apple Cider Vinegar
(Austin, TX)
01/13/2009
in my experience white vinegar is better at killing things than ACV is and ACV is better for taking internally since it has nutritional qualities.
i have found that putting a few drops of garlic oil (from a garlic oil capsule) really helps ear infections in myself. i have not tried it on my dog - but i do give my dogs garlic orally for flea control. it must be NON de-odorized garlic.
djh/texas
(Easton, PA)
03/08/2009
★★★★★
My poor Cocker Spaniel suffered for about 5 years with chronic ear infections, nothing else helped for the long term until using a mixture of equal parts, white vinegar, water & alcohol, (vinegar kills, water dilutes, and alcohol dries). I always had a bottle on hand to use at bath time, if I smelled that familiar odor or if I noticed him shaking or rubbing his ears on the floor. A little squirt massaged into the ear and the excess moisture wiped out of the ear canal. My dog was not fond of the process, he too would shake his head and rub his ears for a few minutes afterwards, but chronic Ear Infections are far worse. I swear by this stuff. In addition, I kept his ears trimmed to prevent them from retaining moisture, and used a water bowl that kept his ears out of the water.
Apple Cider Vinegar
★☆☆☆☆
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..........
(Langley, BC. Canada)
03/02/2009
(Markdale, Ontario, Canada)
04/18/2010
I had the same problem with my Siberian Husky cross with a lab. She had an ear infection that the vet could not get rid of. I found the following recipe and all products can be bought in any pharmacy.
750 ml Rubbing alcohol
4 tablespoons of Boric Acid
8 Drops of Gentian Violet
The Gentian Violet you will need to ask the pharmacist for. Be careful with the gentian Violet as it will stain everything purple.
Clean the dogs ears with a cosmetic pad (this is what I use but a cotton ball will work). Clean every other day for two weeks. Then you can go to every week. Within the first week she stopped scratching and shaking her head.
My dog was great and she smiled every time I did it. This will also take care of ear mites.
Hope this helps!!!
(Stl, Mo)
10/18/2010
My rescue DDB had CHRONIC ear infections. I'd use the ear meds from the vet, the infection would go away only to return a week or two later. I tried ACV and it did no good. After much convincing, I tried putting my dog on grain free food. I also clean her ears once a week with 50-50 white vinegar/hydrogen peroxide. She has been on this regimen for over 2 years now and not a single ear infection. I HIGHLY recommend trying grain free food for any dog with chronic ear infections.
EC: APPLE CIDER VINEGAR -- AND WATER. One part ACV to two parts water seems about right.
(Reeseville, Wisconsin)
11/05/2011
(North Carolina)
09/08/2015
Trish from Reeseville, Wisconsin
Do you know the amounts of the boric acid, vinegar, and water mixture that ur vet used ??
Namaste'
This was in the comment above you ~~~
750 ml Rubbing alcohol
4 tablespoons of Boric Acid
8 Drops of Gentian Violet
(Ohio)
09/10/2015
Note: I found it impossible to find gentian violet at my local CVS. Even the pharmacist didn't have it.
One of the best remedies for healing your pet's bacterial and/or yeast infection is the Healthy Ear Recipe (from Arcane). Do a search on this site for "Arcane", and you'll find it. The ingredients to buy are very inexpensive, and easy to mix. And your pet will love you for it!
(Mpls., Mn)
09/10/2015
A side note to Wendy's note: If your pharmacy does not stock Gentian Violet they usually can order it. I was able to order it from my chain drug store - same for boric acid powder.
(NC)
09/11/2015
I did find the Gentain Violet , , Rite Aid ordered it for me 2oz -$10.. I just am now trying to find the exact amounts of each ... the Gentain, alcohol and the boric acid.
Can any one help with this?
Sure hope so .. Have all products just need to know amounts of each :)
(Mpls., Mn)
09/12/2015
Hey Mary!
The amounts for the 'Blue Power Ear Treatment', developed by a veterinarian, are as follows:
16 oz Rubbing alcohol
4 tablespoons of Boric Acid
16 Drops of Gentian Violet
If the ears are badly infected, sore, raw or painful you might switch out the rubbing alcohol for water OR use raw garlic infused olive oil to heal them. Remember that pouring alcohol or vinegar on badly infected ears *hurts*, so heal the skin inside the ear before using remedies with vinegar or isopropyl.
Source: http://itsfortheanimals.com/Adobe/Blue Power Ear Treatment.pdf
(New Jersey)
01/15/2016
What are the doses how much of everything should I mix together & how many times do I use it on him..do I put the mixture in his ear with a dropper how many drops
(Hope Mills, Nc)
07/19/2016
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
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.
EC: APPLE CIDER VINEGAR – MUST BE DILUTED
(New Jersey)
02/03/2016
Do you use full strength or dilute it.? Which is more affective.? And this takes the ear ache away or infection?
EC: Always dilute Apple Cider Vinegar for pet use. 1/2 Apple Cider Vinegar, 1/2 water. A common remedy for ear problems is also 1/2 apple cider vinegar and 1/2 rubbing alcohol (for external or ear use only.)
(Dallas, Tx)
02/07/2016
Also, I've read changing the mix to 1/2 ACV and 1/2 Witch Hazel (to stop itching). Also, found a product on Amazon called Zymox with hydrocortisone - it has over 4000 5 star reviews. I just ordered it!
