Standard poodle with ear problems

Question
Hi Keisha: Sorry if this is long, I am trying to get as much info as I can for tonights vet appointment.
I have another vet appointment for my standard poodle Kaycee how is 6 years old. She has had a horrible ear problem for about 6 months or so now. She had brown, syrupy discharge with a sour smell in the beginning. My vet had prescribed ear washes and Tresaderm and even an antibiotic. Her ear did get a bit better at first after frequent use of Tresaderm,  but now is worse than ever and although I tried another course of Tresaderm it isn't helping.
I did some research on my own and I purchased online from another standard poodle breeder a powder consisting of a boric acid powder mix (I don't have the ingredients here at work) as well as the boric acid/gentian violet liquid) mix that you mention 3 weeks ago. I did try the powder, weekly,  and the color of the residue in her ear changed from brown to clear. But now the clear is also getting some blood in it and it is horrible smelling...very strong odor. At the last vet visit they said she has a small polyp in her ear also. When I massage her ear base I can hear liquid squishing around in it. I am very concerned and she doesn't seem to be acting her self...although she's still energetic, playful and eating fine. Her ear is more sensitive now however. I worry about her eardrum rupturing...which is why I'm taking her back to the vet again tonight. The vet that I'm seeing tonight is another vet at the same place...so maybe a different opinion will help. I am worried about surgery, for the polyp and or the problem. Is there anything else I can do or say to the vet to help my baby?
Thanks,
Liz

Answer
If you are already using the ear solution I recomend then I cant think of anything else.  However you have to use it for more than 3 weeks to clear up a bad ear infection and make sure to keep the ear free of hair.  I do know that some people will shave the ears of their poodle both inside and out to increase air circulation and you may have to do that until you can get rid of the infection.  Be sure that every time she is bathed you have cotton balls in her ears and be very careful to keep it out as much as possible.  Also be sure your groomer is putting cotton balls in and being extra careful.  Good luck at the vets tonight.  I always hate to hear when poodles have horrible ear infections.  There are some surgeries that can be done but they are usually pretty drastic and leave the dog deaf.  Hopefully the new vet will be able to think of something new that may help you.  I would have the polyp removed and checked for cancer while you were at it.  It could be interfearing with the ear and it being able to dry out and get good air circulation.