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I have a year and a half old Striker bred Kemmer cur who has been getting what I thought was ear mites since he was a pup. Well it really seemed to start bothering him lately and him shakin' his head all the time was driving me nuts so I have been doing a good job of getting drops in his ear every day (about three weeks or more now) and it improved but didn't clear up completely.

Well he got rolled by a car the other night and was packin a leg around so I took him into the vet to make sure his leg wasn't broken. When I was there I asked the vet again about the mites and she told me it was ear infections, most likely from an allergy to something in his food.

Anybody hear of anything like this or have any experience, insight, advice, or other assorted b.s. they would like to share???

Thanks,
JT

I have a bloodhound who has had cronic ear infections for years.. Literally.. The vet's always gave me drops to put in, and said to keep her ears dry.. I would just get the ear infection cleared up and she would get another..

Long story short, I read something on Purina's website about food allergies.. I moved her off of food with corn in it.. Not one ear infection since.. She's is a eating a Chicken and Rice food and is doing awesome on it.. She's going on 7 years old and this past 8 months is been the only time in her life that she has not had ear problems.. Wish my vet would have thought of that

That's been my only experience with ear infections- food allergies..

Hello Rcher,
I see ear infections all the time. Make sure the vet has looked in both of the ears thoroughly first and foremost! Without a deep ear exam with the OTOSCOPE alot of things can be missed. After that make sure the vet gets a sample from BOTH ears and looks at it under the microscope. The most common things are Bacterial infections vs. fungal infections! Once the vet finds out what growing in there he/she should give you a cleaner and some ointment/drops as medication. Ask for a handout on how to clean the ears and a demonstration. Also ask for a written prescription for oral medication. At Wal-Mart and Target they have meds for $4!!!!!!. After a couple weeks of topical cleaning and meds and oral meds it should clear. You will have to shell out a few bucks for the vet's visit and time but hell your dog would do it for you! LOL
The food allergy thing can be complicated but Melanie is onto something because alot of dogs are becoming what we call "food allergic" The vet will usually prescribe a HYPOALLERGENIC food which can be pricey but worth it. Along with what Melanie said go to the diet food website and check it out. The one's I like are Royal Canin, Hill's Science Diet, Eukanuba, and Purina. Good LUCK! You can ask me any vet related questions at any time! Feel free to private message me at anytime as well!
Doc Olly

Have had a couple hounds that were said to have had ear mites, then an alergy to feed and all along it was an ear canker....
If there is a strong sour smell and a black residue that is in the ear that you have tried to get treated with no luck in the past, look on line and get a bottle or two of Bloodworth's Ear Canker Remedy
Whites Kennel & Supply Shellsburg Iowa...319 453-2412

After a couple $1000 in vet bills and no cure the $20 bottle of Bloodworth's did the fix.

Try it if it keeps comming back worked on a few of my hounds.

I appreciate the input everyone and I will be taking you up on that offer Doc. I have had dogs for 5 or 6 years now and am really interested in being able to diagnose and treat some of the more common ailments on my own. Not that I don't want to pay a vet or think I can do a better job it's just something I think I should know and hopefully will help me understand my dogs better.

Thanks again,
JT

For two weeks I cleaned Spook's ears everyday, morning and night and gave him his antibiotics. During this time we also changed to a food the vet recommended which has no corn. A month later and no more crap in his ears (infection, mite, canker, or whatever it was) and he is a much happier dog and is much more enjoyable to be around.

Thanks everyone for your help.

JT

I have a female that had an infection like you stated with the black smelly residue. Took her to the vet after trying to cure it my self with bloodworths. It ended up being a yeast infection. After anti biotics and cream she healed right up. The vet said it could be food or bedding that she had a reaction with.

for a yeast infection the best way I have ever found was a mixture of half ISO propyl (sp? ) alcohol and apple cider vinegar . put 3-5 drops in ear 2-3 times a day for a few days and this will clean up the worst yeast infection out there.
Yeast infections are usually caused by moisture you need to kill the bacteria and help get the ear dried out the combination of alcohol and vinegar does that. DO NOT use rubbing alcohol or hydrogen peroxide .

a few ounces goes a long ways