yeast ear infections

Question
Dr.
Our Cocker, 1.5 yr, has a cronic yeast infection in her ears.  Our Vet has prescribed Otomax(r) which we used in combination with Vet ear cleansing solution.
  
That seemed to work for a while, but had a reoccurance.  Our Vet had us try Micazole Lotion and Vet ear cleansing solution. When the Micazole was used up, we continued with the cleansing solution once a day. The infection has come back.  We are going back to our Vet in a couple of days.

Have you any suggestions.  I understand that this infection, Otitis Extema (?), can also be caused by allegries.  

What can you tell me about treatment in general and  
how successful treatments can be?

Thanks for your time and suggestions.

Jim Ayers, "Sasha's" slave

Answer
Your history of recurrent ear infections when the medicine stops is classic.  Yes, this dog has allergies.  The otomax has a steroid in it which calms the ear, so the dog feels better.  Ask your vet for a course of steroid tablets to help calm down the allergic dermatitis.  That will also prevent the ear canal from reacting to the allergies.  Once the ear is quiet, then you will use a maintnance dose of the steroid, maybe a pill twice a week.  In addition, frequent bathing helps remove the allergens from the skin.