poodles ears

Question
Can ear infections be deadly to them.  I treated and cleaned my poodles ears, they would get better and then worse.  My poodle wasn't feeling good this day, breathing fuuny, gave her a baby aspirin, she spit it up, wouldn't eat at all, over the day she  got worse, called the vet, my husband got home headed out the door and when we got in our vehicle she died.  She was only 11 yr old and never expected her to die, it was very devestating. Could her ears been what caused her to die right then.

Answer
I am very sorry to hear that.  I never heard of an ear infection killing a dog.  The ear infection could have spread elsewhere, or her weakened immune system from another problem may have allowed the ear infection.  It could also be from something completely unrelated.