[brytlea]

Good advice on the thread. One thing I would add. If this is an ongoing problem, have the dog’s thyroid checked. Also, consider food allergies. Either of those two things can cause recurrent ear infections that are difficult to clear up.

[kalee]

Google “Blue Power Ear Treatment” I do Cocker rescue and this is what I use. INGREDIENTS: 16 oz. Isopropyl Alcohol 4 Tablespoons Boric Acid Powder 16 drops Gentian Violet Solution 1% Mix together in alcohol bottle and shake well. You will also need to shake solution every time you use it to disperse the Boric Acid Powder. TREATMENT: Evaluate condition of ears before treating and if very inflamed and sore do not attempt to pull hair or clean out ear at all. Wait until inflammation has subsided which will be about 2 days. Shake the bottle each time before using. Flood the ear with solution (gently squirt bottle), massage gently to the count of 60, wipe with a tissue, and leave alone without massage. The dog will shake out the excess, which can be wiped with a tissue; the Gentian Violet does stain fabrics. The SCHEDULE of treatment is as follows: Treat 2 X per day for the first week to two weeks, depending upon severity of ears. Treat 1 X per day for the next 1 to 2 weeks. Treat 1 X per month (or even less frequently) depending on the dog. All of these ingredients should be available at a pharmacy. We have found that, despite the alcohol, the dog will not object to even the first treatment. The Boric Acid Powder soothes the ear. The Gentian Violet Solution is an anti-infection agent. The solution appears to work well on any and all ear problems from mites to wax to canker. After the 2nd or 3rd day, you can clean out the ear with a Q-tip or cotton ball. The success rate for this treatment is 95% to 99%. Those who do not succeed have usually not done the treatment long enough or have not been regular about it. Dogs on the verge of ear canal surgery have been returned to normal with only the regular follow-up treatment to keep the ear healthy. If an infection seems to be remaining in the treated ear after the above course of treatment, you may also have some Pseudomonas bacteria in the site. This can be eradicated by using a gentle flush of raw apple cider vinegar and water (warm). Use 2 Tablespoons of vinegar to one cup of water, 2 X per week. Remember it is for external use only and be careful not to get into the eyes.

[TASMANIANRED]

I’ve been seeing every one’s suggestions for ear washes.

My 2cents worth..When you make your dilution use warm water.

Cold water hurts and may be part of the problem with dogs objecting so much.

The other thing is 1/2 strength will go flat pretty quickly so don’t mix it up in advance.

If your dog is a chow hound, then a 2 person operation may be in order to ease the proceedure by distraction. Have them hold a treat in a tight pinch and let the dog nibble while you are doing the ear wash.

Just might distract her/him enough for you to do it without too much objection and it associates a juicy treat with letting you work on her ears.

[submarinerswife]

I have 3 cockers and have had ear problems.

PLEASE ask a vet before using hydrogen peroxide. In humans, HP causes very serious problems if you have an infection coming on (learned this the hard way)

If deafness is inevitable, then it would be better than the pain your dog is feeling now.

[Arizona Carolyn]

I currently have three cockers, have had cockers since 1979. Cockers do NOT do well on anything that contains grains, and my three do not do well with anything chicken, either... As long as I don’t feed grains or chicken their ears are fine... but if you do have ear problems follow the recipe on the Zim Family Cocker site — it works GREAT! There is some very good foods that don’t contain grains you can get for your dog... I feed a raw diet with a grain-free kibble for their breakfast.

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

This never lets us down: http://www.nutriteam.com/servlet/the-197/NutriBiotic-Ear-Drops-wax/Detail

We’ve used it on dogs and kids. It worked wonders on a friend’s child who’d been getting tubed every year, too.

It’s one of those no-harm things. Good luck!