Change in mood and behavior

Question
QUESTION: Hello,
I have a four year old lab--Charlie.  Charlie is usually a very active and playful dog.  However, recently, he has been sleeping much more than normal, hasn't been stretching, is slow to get up, and gets tired very easily.  We just moved into a new house and thought maybe the move could explain the changes, but I'm really concerned about him not stretching (he won't do downward dog at all).  It takes him a while to get up and he seems hesitant to start walking when he finally does get up.  In March, he had a front leg injury that was never diagnosed.  X-rays showed nothing and the lyme test came back negative.  The vet gave us a month of pain killers and suggested VERY limited exercise.  
He was better after that, for a while.  But, I'm growing concerned.  He just doesn't seem like himself.  I'm not getting anywhere with the vet.  Is this due to age (4 years still seems so young)?  Is there something else I can look into?  Something I can do?
I should also mention that his right ear is chronically infected.  We just finished another round of medicine.  When he barks, he ends up shaking his head because the sound hurts his ear.  Could these two things be related?
Thank you so much for any insight you may have to offer.

ANSWER: Sorry to hear about Charlie.

About the ear infections, most of the time it's an intolerance to food.  You may want to switch to a food that is very simple with limited ingredients.  California Natural Lamb/Rice or Chicken/Rice are good options when trying to determine food intolerances.  

You can also help keep his ear clean with a homemade recipe that really works well:
16 oz. witch hazel
4 tablespoons Boric Acid Powder
16 drops Tea Tree Oil

Mix in a squeeze bottle.  This will keep for quite some time, and you can half the recipe.  Just shake before use.  Pour into ear canal, squish around and then let the dog shake it out.  You can carefully dry the ear with a tissue afterwards.

About the stiffness and not stretching, etc.  Is he still favoring the front leg?  Or is it a general overall problem?  Did the vet check the hips?  When they xrayed the front, did the vet do from the wrists to the shoulders?  If you have an orthopedic vet in your area, you might want to see them directly instead of going to your normal vet.  You may want to see if you can find a holistic vet or a dog chiropractor or a dog massage therapist.  Where I live, I have a friend who does the dog massage treatments and can usually get an idea of what's wrong and help you determine if she can help, or forward you on to the appropriate doctor.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks!  Will the ear treatment solution get rid of the infection, or do I need to start another round of antibiotics before we begin the witch hazel solution?
Again, thanks for your time.  I'll be looking into your suggestions!


ANSWER: The ear solution might get rid of the infection depending on how bad it is.  I would do the ears 2x a day for 3 days and if it's no better, then see the vet.  

What food do you feed?  Like I mentioned, that could be the cause.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I feed him Innova, large breed.  He's been eating that for about 8 months.  He's had the ear infection problem for most of his life.  And has really terrible allergies, especially in spring and summer. I give him chlortrimeton sometimes.  I'm not sure if that makes a difference with his allergies or the ear.  
I wonder if I should ask the vet for antibiotic pills, rather than the drops.  The drops help while he's on them--but the infection always comes right back.


Answer
Innova is great, BUT their ingredient list is LONG.  Cal Natural Lamb and Rice only has 9 ingredient.  For example, some ingredients that I find are common in causing problems:  Barley, flax seed, cottage cheese...which are in the Innova.  Some dogs don't do well on chicken or turkey either.  

It's just something to think about if the food you were feeding before Innova was also ingredient heavy.  My old trainer used to have a dog allergic to pork.  If he ate it, his ears would be HORRIBLE.

The idea is to get away from antibiotics.  They are good for serious problems, but you should be able to get the ears under control  

You may want to join:  http://www.lab-retriever.net
There is a health and food section and alot of folks who have gone through lots of food intolerance issues with their dogs who might be able to advise you bettter.  Mine have never had problems, so my advice is only anecdotal.  

You'll be able to get some more input on the stiffness with Charlie too...see if it's an injury that anyone else has experienced before.