Ear Infection Remedies for Pets

Garlic

Posted by Aljay (Tel Aviv, Israel) on 03/08/2015
★★★★★

I used olive oil and garlic for my dog's ear infection, it's amazing..it works, thanks god, my dog is happy now.

Distilled White Vinegar

Posted by Theresa (Mpls., Mn) on 03/06/2015

Hey Kimdukeking!

Your reply posted to an entry from 2011 -everyone can see it if they search that particular thread OR if you just click on 'Recent pet posts' where most new posts appear.

For super painful ears I prefer to use Zymox Otic enzymatic solution I buy online; it has a bit of painkiller along with enzymes that digest the yeast. It works well but is spendy. I like this because you do not have to flush the ears clean, you just have to squirt it deep into the ear.

For painful ears where the dog is crying, my first plan would be to make sure there is no raw skin or open wounds in the ear due to scratching. If there are wounds I would start with garlic infused olive oil or garlic infused coconut oil as both a balm and an agent to soften the waxy gunk in the ears which will aid in flushing it out. Do the garlic infused oil twice a day until the ears are healed so when you use the vinegar it does not sting. I would use 1/3 each white vinegar, water and isopropyl alcohol. Do this twice a day - for as long as it takes. You might also consider Ted's anti-fungal/anti-staph remedy in the ears as well.

There is a bigger picture when it comes to chronic ear issues - diet, vertebral subluxation, systemic yeast and allergies come into play.

What are you feeding your dog? Take a look at the ingredient label and if you see grain or corn in the first 5 ingredients it is time to upgrade the groceries to a grain free diet as grains have been linked to chronic allergies and systemic yeast in dogs. Any treats or chews should be made in the USA and not treated with sugary coatings and red food dyes and nitrates. A chiropractic adjustment is another option to consider as a misalignment of the neck vertebra can result in chronic ear issues.

You might consider Ted's Borax protocol for dogs or alkalizing your dog's drinking water with baking soda as well.

Good luck and please report back!

Distilled White Vinegar

Posted by Kimdukeking (Quinlan, Texas ) on 03/05/2015

I have searched and searched for remedies for my German Shepard ear infection. He too is 11 years old. I've tried everything the vet has given me. Even having Achilles sedated and the vet doing the complete ear flush. Nothing has worked. He cries every night in pain. It completely breaks my heart. I just saw your remedy (50% ACV & 50% water ) My husband and I just put in his ear. He shook a lot of it out. I'm praying this works. I had a couple of questions. If you have a moment. First - how much should we have put in and how often a day should we do this? Second - when will we see it take affect. Thank you very much for your advice. I've never used this site so I'm not sure if this posts for everyone or not. If it does, any more advice will be greatly appreciated. Thank you very much. I do apologize for such a long email. Thank you again

Rubbing Alcohol, Violet Solution, Boric Acid

Posted by Lynne (Canada) on 01/17/2015

Isn't Boric Acid a pesticide?

Keep Ears Dry

Posted by Sarafina (San Francisco) on 12/16/2014
★★★★★

The rubbing alcohol works for swimmers ear because it breaks the surface tension of the water trapped in the ear, which facilitates draining. The trapped water is not sterile and creates a nice warm humid environment for bugs to grow in.

Get the water out and no infection develops. I use the cocker spaniel ear cleaner which is alcohol based after my setter has been swimming to avoid problems from this. And I learned it when I was a kid, from dad, who was a competitive swimmer ; -)

Hydrogen Peroxide, Vinegar, Rubbing Alcohol

Posted by Leann (Machesney Park, Il) on 12/14/2014
★★★★★

I want to thank you for that remedy for the ears!!! Worked very well!!!! Saved me $150+ for not taking him to ER VET BECAUSE it was a weekend.

Green Tea

Posted by Tina (Seattle, Washington) on 10/19/2014
★★★★★

I use herbal green tea as a drops solution for my Beagle's chronic ear infection. I've only used it for 4 days but he's no longer scratching at his ears and yelping. Herbal green tea has been a natural healing solution for many different problems, not just dog infections and it works great. You put two bags of Tea in a cup of boiling water, let it steep for a few minutes, and when its cooled you put 10 drops in each ear 2-3 times a day. It doesn't sting and it smells good so the stinky ears part goes away. What you don't use can be refrigerated for up to 3-4 days for repeated use.

I am however looking for a solution to my dogs inflamed ear flaps that won't sting please so if you have good ideas for that please respond here, I will check this daily. I am still working on my present E-mail as for some reason I can't check it due to problems with getting passwords to work.

Thank you and I hope my solution helps others.

Theresa's Remedies

Posted by Theresa (Mpls., Mn) on 08/29/2014
★★★★★

I personally have no problems with solutions from my vet; in some cases I find the medicated solutions superior to the basic ACV/Isopropyl/H2O solution. I also find ZYMOX Otic Enzymatic ear drops with hydrocortisone super effective for painful, yeasty ears.

That said, I also LOVE Ted's Anti-Fungal/Anti-Staph remedy: It is super inexpensive, and I find this to have less "sting" than using white vinegar/Apple Cider Vinegar, and with one-step application as raw ears first must be healed with Olive Oil and garlic infusion before you can use the ACV remedies - you can just use Ted's staph remedy without causing a huge sting.

You will need epsom salts, borax, Milk of Magnesia and hydrogen peroxide. You can get all these over the counter at the drug store. The hydrogen peroxide is very probably a 3% solution, so you will need to dilute it. So take 1/3 cup of the hydrogen peroxide and add 2/3 cup of plain water to it; you now have a 1% solution of hydrogen peroxide. Now add 1 table spoon each of the Milk of Magnesia, epsom salts and borax. Mix it really well in a small bottle and place the sealed bottle in a sink full of warm tap water to warm up the solution before you use it to liberally flush the ears. You can use this daily or twice daily until the ears are under control and healthy again. To keep them healthy you might wish to use the garlic oil infusion every 3rd day or flush with the vinegar solution every day.

On top of physically addressing the ears, I would consider alkalizing her water with baking soda; a crisis dose is 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda into 1 liter of water and have this as her only drinking water. After 5 days you can reduce to a maintenance dose of 1/4 teaspoon into 1 liter of water.

Garlic

Posted by Om (Hope, Bc Canada) on 08/29/2014
★★★★★

For ear infections in dogs, use pure olive oil or sesame oil. Mascerate garlic cloves overnight and then apply warmed. ACV is too harsh for ear infection. My dog had his ear infection treated like this and all is well. It took less than three days but that is individual. This is med for humans, too. Namaste, Om

Olive Oil

Posted by Suseeq (Sydney Australia) on 12/04/2013
★★★★★

I have used olive oil many times for ear infection or mites in ear and has always cured it just a couple of drops then massage ear to work it down

Garlic

Posted by Theresa (Mpls., Mn) on 09/04/2013
★★★★★

At the first sign of a head tilt or constant head shaking and ear scratching, check the ears for foreign bodies and discharge. Ears may be flushed with the ACV/H20 remedy, but sore ears that are raw from scratching should be treated first with olive oil infused with fresh garlic. The fresh garlic has anti-fungal/anti-yeast properties and will aid in combating a yeasty ear infection while the olive oil provides a soothing means of delivery as well as working with the garlic to combat ear mites.

Take 1 cup of olive oil and add 1 good sized clove of fresh, chopped garlic and let steep overnight. Strain the garlic from the oil, and then warm to a comfortable temperature for the pet [101 degrees F]. Appy generously to the ear canal, making sure it gets down deep; massage the base of the ear canal near the pet's jaw and listen for it squishing about. The pet will shake its ears to remove excess oil. You can apply the garlic infused olive oil 2 x day for 2-3 days; this will allow the ear tissue to heal to where you can then use the ACV/H20 remedy with no stinging or burning.

You can purchase already made preparations of Garlic and Mullien oil or Neem oil that can also be used on painful ears; these oils need not be used full strength from the bottle, they can be diluted with olive oil 50:50. Always warm to a comfortable temperature before using in the ear.

Dietary Changes

Posted by Debbiefudge (Brighton, Uk) on 08/18/2013
★★★★★

Hi. Any dog that suffers with ear infections/problems, due to yeast.

Should definately change to raw feeding. Meat/Bones/Fish etc. NO vegetables as these contain natural sugars. Which feed the yeast. No steroids or antiiotics. They feed the yeast too. My Vet almost killed one of my dogs, so I have learnt all this the hard way. NO treats. A raw one is much better as a treat. Keeps their teeth clean. Gives them calcium. I'd say a big no to goats milk or any other milk.. Give probiotic yogurt every day. And, raw garlic. (A natural way to keep fleas away)

A regular dose of Diatomaceous Earth (DE) will keep worms at bay. And, also treat any. (MUST be Food Grade). Don't put any chemicals on to or in your dog. Don't give yearly booster vaccinations.

I have been raw feeding my 3 Shihtzus for 4 years now. And they are extremely healthy. No fat on them. Just pure muscle. And, it is so easy to do. I rotate what I feed them. Only, the one whom the vet nearly killed, has an on going issue with his ears. And that's because his ear canals are narrower than they should be. So, I regularly clean them with half water/half white vinegar, And put in colloidal silver, if he gets an infection.......

Most of these things are caused by food allergies. Skin problems etc. He has an overgrowth of yeast. Every time my groomer comes, she washes him in an anti fungal shampoo and the final rinse is half white vinegar/half water and left on to dry and both sides of his ears are shaved. (I don't use ACV on him, because it contains apples. That's why I use white vinegar, instead)

Hydrogen Peroxide

Posted by Margo Burnett (Texas, Usa) on 07/22/2013
★★★★★

My standard poodle has had an ear infection in both ears for 7 years. I have had Vince on continuous anti biotics/meds/ raw food diet/thyroid meds and taken him to so many specialists. His eyes became infected about 3 years ago and were so raw they would bleed. Nothing I did helped my poor dog. I even tried allergy testing and gave him shots daily. Did not help any of the symptoms. Some days he just laid in his bed and moaned. Finally about 3 months ago I started cleaning his ears with peroxide and 50/50 apple cider vinegar and water. I also started feeding him twice a day and adding Dinovite in his food. It has taken 2 months but he is finally symptom free. It is the first time in 7 years that Vince is not in pain.

Probiotics

Posted by Mila (Niagara Falls, On, Canada, Ontario) on 07/09/2013
★★★★★

I am a breeder of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. Every year I was fighting ear infections in some of my doggies, as Cavaliers have long ears and infections are quite common. After learning about use of probiotic formula for pets 2 years ago, I don't see these infections any more. I am giving them just a little sprinkle (a pinch) on their food once a day - not even the recommendation on the product container. Only once a week I am cleaning their ears, but there are no infections. You can buy this "Geneflora Probiotic formula" in any pet store. It costs around $36.00, which is much cheeper then vet visits, medications and the time involved. I hope this will help somebody else as well...

Dietary Changes

Posted by Allie (Bc, Canada) on 06/09/2013
★★★★★

For those dogs with itchy ears, ear infections.... I have a holistic dog consultant that helped me greatly. She recommened two main things: proper food - no corn, soy, or grain; and a deworming with Black Walnut. You can get Black Walnut at your health food store - my dog is 55 lbs, and I use 20 drops Black Walnut, in a syringe and into her mouth every day for 5 DAYS, then stop for 3 weeks, and then do it again for 5 DAYS. Right into your dogs mouth with the syringe and squirt it in. It tastes bad so putting it on their food won't work. ALSO, rotating food as well.... Switch from a chicken blend, to a lamb blend (lamb is actually best tolerated) to a fish blend, and round and round. Do a gradual switch though - so blend the new food into the old gradually increasing for about a week which gives your dogs digestive system a chance to adjust to the change otherwise you will have diahrrea and stomach upset. Good Luck!

Vaginal Yeast Cream

Posted by Wheaten Owner (Drayden, Maryland) on 04/03/2013
★★★★★

Re: Dog with ear infections: I have not used the vinegar method but just about everything else. Paid high dollars for 2 years to vets for visits and meds to no avail. One day I decided to try human vaginal yeast cream. WOW! It worked like a charm. Called a friend who has a Lab with chronic ear infections and told her of my success. She also tried the vaginal yeast cream and it also worked for her dog. I am the daughter of a vet and knew that a lot of the meds he suggested were what we buy over the counter for ourselves.

Honey

Posted by Dr Scott (Brisbane, Qld) on 03/10/2013
★★★★★

1. For infected ears rather than putting acids or alcohols into the already inflammed stinging chronic ear, try Manuka honey. Doesn't sting, i'ts active again all the harmful organisms in the ear (including Pseudomonas), and is safe if the ear drum is ruptured. It soothes inflammed skin and may helps draw material out of eardrums like a poultice. There are no bacterial resistence issues either. Also helps to deodorize stinky ears as well. Only downside is it can be a bit messy to apply and when it dries but can remove with wet cloth. Just Instill a few mls with a syringe and massage in -its easier when warm.

Works wonderfully and very economical and I use this in my Vet practice.

2. For those waxy or itchy allergic ears water based products like vinegar doesnt remove wax very well, try either warm olive oil or very dilute orange oil mixed with a little oatmeal. Good luck

Coconut Oil

Posted by Allison (Montpelier, Vt) on 12/27/2012
★★★★★

wanted to recommend Organic Virgin Coconut Oil for pets ears. My guys lick it right off of the spoon (it's just as good for their insides as well as their outsides) and you can clean your pup's ears out with a bit of the coconut oil as it's an excellent anti-fungal remedy. I put a dab on an organic cotton ball and wipe it out when it looks yuckky inside, sometimes it takes a couple of cotton balls so don't be surprised if you have to do this more than once at a time.

I give 1 tsp for every 10 lbs (meaning 1 tablespoon for every 30 lbs) internally. I spread some on a piece of toast in the morning with peanut butter to get my pup use to it initially but then he loved the taste and just licks it off the spoon every morning. If you give him too much, he'll get diarrhea (just so you know). The stuff is great for humans too so it's something everyone in the family can benefit from!

Keep Ears Dry

Posted by Colleen (Greenwich, Ny, Us) on 10/25/2012
★★★★★

After a year of trying to figure out the perfect solution to clean my dogs ears to cure and then prevent her ear infections I learned that the only way to keep her infection free is to put NOTHING liquid in her ears! I took her to the vet with a raging ear infection in both ears which they suggested removing her ear canal for a long term prevention treatment! Of course that was a big fat NO!

After clearing up her infection with Mometamax and Baytril Otic, I maintained her condition by wiping her ears out with a tissue every day!!!

I put NOTHING in her ears! Now I am able to wipe out her ears maybe 1x a week. I've also started putting a drop of Zymox Otic Enzymatic solution in her ears, wiping that out with the tissue then following it up with a little powder. She has been infection free for MONTHS!!! AFter 10 years of fighting for a solution for her problems i've figured it out! She smells great and doesn't hate her ear cleanings anymore! I hope this helps anybody who is struggling with this same problem. One last thought, I literally put a drop of the enzymatic solution in her ears, no more. Also, I always have the meds on hand in case I smell the beginning of an infection. Fortunately I have not had to use them!!!

Cheers!! Colleen

Rubbing Alcohol, Violet Solution, Boric Acid

Posted by Wendy (Columbus, Oh/usa) on 10/08/2012

To Judy from Lansing, MI: Please read in full this link ("Apple Cider Vinegar" is usually called "ACV")

Apple Cider Vinegar for Dogs

Very Important: If you decide to get it, ONLY get the ORGANIC "Apple Cider Vinegar". This organic ACV contains the nutrient-rich sediment, which is called "the Mother". You can get it at your local Health Food store or the health food section of your local supermarket.

Rubbing Alcohol, Violet Solution, Boric Acid

Posted by Judy (Lansing, Mi) on 10/07/2012

I don't know who Melissa from Atoka OK is but you posted that your dog has suffered for years with severe allergies. He is on a raw diet, but I don't think I have the vitamins and minerals down correctly, so any help would be appreciated.