flank alopecia and ear problems

Question
I have a 15month old english bulldog.  He has been diagnosed with flank alopecia.  We did have the thyroid test done and that was fine.  I was wondering if there is anything available that would help grow the hair back?  

Also a couple of months ago he got his first ear infection and was treated with an ointment.  My dog really dislikes having anything put in his ear.  Since the ear infection I have noticed from time to time him shaking his head and repeatedly scratching his ears (usually one more than the other).  How are you to keep the ears clean and dry when he is so resistant to it?  How often must you clean the ears?  Thanks!

Answer
Often the hair loss from flank alopecia will come back on it's own if it's a seasonal condition. Generally the dog will lose hair in the summer and get it back in the winter.  However, eventually the hair stops coming back and there's really nothing you can do about it to my knowledge.

You should clean his ears once a week. Use an ear medication called Otomax. It is soothing as well as medicated and will loosen up all the gunk in the ear and push it toward the opening, making it easier to clean out. He's resistent right now I'm sure because his ears are sore.

Bulldogs are notorious for ear problems and rightfully so. It's a never ending battle but you must be persistent.