ear infections.

Question
Our little cocker female, continually gets ear infections, We keep her ears trimmed short and try to keep them cleaned with a solution from pet store at least weekly.  Still every couple of monthes they get infected and she goes to the vet.  Is there another home made solution of vinegar or something that we can try?
I thought i had read that somewhere.
Also, she has dry skin, can olive oil be put in her food to help with that?

Answer
Hi BEATTIE - Yes, Cocker Spaniels have many ear infections that are related to the anatomy of the ear ( long and floppy) and also because of allergies.

Here is a great solution for the ear situation:

At the bottom of the page I will suggest an oil to add into her food...

Spaniel Ear Cleaner Recipe
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Ingredients:

White vinegar
Powdered boric acid
Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol)
Betadine antiseptic (or generic equivalent)


Directions for mixing the solution together:

Pour 6 ounces of isopropyl alcohol in to a plastic applicator bottle.
Add 1/2 tablespoon of boric acid powder.  Be careful not to get any boric acid
on your skin or clothes.  If you do, wash it off immediately.
Add 2 ounces of white vinegar.

Shake the solution extremely well, until the boric acid powder is fully dissolved.
Once the powder is dissolved, add one teaspoon of the Betadine antiseptic, and
shake it up some more.  Be careful not to get any Betadine on your skin or clothes.  
If you do, wash it off immediately.

Squirt the solution inside your dog's ear until the ear canal is completely full.
Massage the outside of the ear to help slosh the cleaning solution around inside.
Hold the dog still for about a minute.  

If you get any of the ear cleaning solution on your skin, wash it off as soon as possible.

Be sure to shake the solution up really well before each and every time you use it.
The boric acid has a tendency to settle at the bottom of the bottle.
Store at room temperature.

Use the cleaning solution daily until you start to see some improvement.
Gradually cut back to once per week when you are happy with the condition of the ear.
When the ear seems completely free of infection, you can go two weeks between treatments.




Warning:  Do not use this ear cleaning solution on dogs with ruptured ear drums,
or on dogs with open sores or wounds in the ear area.
An ear exam by a veterinarian is recommended
prior to beginning treatment with this ear cleaning solution.

This recipe came to you from Jim & Kellyn Zimmerlin
www.zimfamilycockers.com

Next, Get a good Salmon Oil to add to her food 1 x per day ( 1 teaspoon)   http://www.yummychummies.com
Try to get a pure oil ( pure Alaska salmon)

And Last:  

Try NuVET Plus wafer treats.  This is the best skin and coat supplement in the USA - All Natural and safe.
Call Joan and Ask her about our 90 day trial Guarantee... If we can't help your little girl, NuVET will refund your purchased price.
1-800-474-7044 ( EXT 265) - Tell her Marie from The Doggie Chalet sent you... code 81098 ... Yum Yum good , too!!!
NuVET will help your dog to maintain a STRONG immune System...
http://www.apluspetcare.com/untitled4.html


I hope you are feeding a food that is grain free or at least doesn't have corn or corn meal.  Corn is known to cause ear infections and allergic problems such as itching and dry skin.