Can't decide
The OC, CA
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Joined: 03/15/2004
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Had our Shih Tzu at the vet yesterday and was treated for ear infections. Anyone have any good advice on how this can be avoided in the future. Never had a dog with one. I understand it is common in dogs with furry, floppy ears. I have heard it is wise to trim fur inside the ears and to flush ears out after a bath with a product similar to one to treat swimmer's ear.
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stickdog
longitude W88.1, latitude N41.6
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Joined: 01/27/2002
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We had a lab that got them had some medicated oil from the vet two drops in each ear every day to keep it from reoccurring. I think it was fungi like athletes foot made for smelly ears and he would scratch awful.
9-11 WE WILL NEVER FORGET!
stickdog
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Troodles
Wisconsin
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Joined: 02/17/2002
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Oscar tends to get ear infections if his ears aren't cleaned out every 4 or 5 weeks. This is something the groomer does, so as long as he gets groomed regularly it isn't an issue. In any event, when he starts scratching at his ears, I know he's having problems. I have a tube of medicine in the 'fridge I can use when he has problems.
The vet said the long floppy ears made the dog more prone to ear infections because air doesn't get into the ear canal. She said when long-eared dogs sit in front of an open car window and their ears flap in the wind, it actually helps their ears.
Our pamered poodle sits in front on the air vents in the truck and we set the fan on "high" so his ears can flap in the breeze. 
aka: turboladybug
Traveling with Poodles: Oscar the toy and Felix the mini
Travel Trailer: Holiday Rambler Alumascape 29FKS
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soc
wurtsboro, ny
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Joined: 08/14/2004
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yes - the long floppy ear dogs are very prone to infections as everyone is correct that the ears don't dry out- the ear trimming helped some but found that the best thing was to make sure his head stayed as dry as possible - no swimming in lakes, and try not to wash/rinse above the neck when giving him a bath. Also i would flop his ears up if he lied down next to me to help them air out some which he actually didn't mind. If he's on medicine now make sure the ear infection is completly cured - if not it will just come back again quicker - and there are different medicines which i found worked better than others on my dog.
Good luck - it can be a battle but i still loved him anyway 
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gr8daysahead
Virginia
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Joined: 10/13/2004
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My Schnauzer is very prone to ear infections. Vet prescribed a weekly ear wash with Epi-otic. This has helped but still occaisionally gets them. Her infections are usually a fungal type and her ears smell. She does not have floppy ears. I keep ear drops on hand all the time for when she does get an infection.
Sonny & Pat
Molly (miniature schnauzer) Rocky (Maltese)
2006 Itasca Suncruiser 37B
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herburban1
Central,Mass.
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Joined: 07/06/2004
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This is too weird .I just got an appointment for Tucker because he has ben crying when you touch near his face or ears. Yeaterday I noticed the odor and he was scratching. I cleaned his ears and got lots of crud. So I'm hoping that's all it is,it may have progressed because he crys if he opens his mouth too wide to get the paper. As far as keeping him out of the water, Ya Right ! if it is over 2 inches deep and thawed he will lay down in it..Not an option for a Lab.He goes tomorrow..
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New yellow lab Penny rescue from Kentucky, 2 stay at home cats
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Ms Geri
Winter Garden, FL
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Joined: 10/17/2003
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I'm not a DVM but a pet para professional of 20+ years along with my pets own ear infection experience.
Here's a couple ideas....if your pet likes to swim or for bathing...coat cotton balls with Vaseline and stuff into ears. Then,use a real good ear wash/cleaner followed by ear POWDER to dry internally/externally. Same for hair filled dogs....use the ear powder first to cover entire hair in ear then with finger tips, ever so gentle pull hair out pulling small amounts at a time. Yes they might yip yap but it won't kill them it's better to get all that hair out to keep the air flow. Cleaning your pets ears on a weekly bases I feel is best for them. I use and recommend products that don't contain alcohol or peroxide, non drying and deodorizing. Ear Otitis, I believe it's called? is the second reason why we go to our DVM'S
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Steveque
Central California
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Joined: 08/11/2004
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I have an ESS. I HAVE to clean his ears weekly using Opti-clean (I think is the name). I buy it from KV Vet in 16 ounce bottles. It is blue and for ears. This ESS does not like it, my other ESS would lay on the floor , close his eyes and moan in pleasure.
Just watch out for the head shake. Stuff flies everywhere. Doing it yourself is so much cheaper and better for the dog.
Steve Quesenberry
Central California
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mathewsw
Jacksonville, Florida
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Joined: 10/31/2004
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A medicated oil from the vet works best.
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jjlizzard
College Station, TX
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Joined: 01/22/2004
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Once or twice weekly (more if the ears are really oily) rinsing with swimmers solution will most likely prevent any further infections. Do not use swimmer's solution if an infection or discharge is present! Only as a maintainence. If the dogs swim then flush them again with swimmers.
Powder and oil just act like foreign bodies in the ears.
Swimmer's solution:]
3 parts alcohol (70% isopropyl)
1 part white vinegar
so cheap you can't afford not to use it.
Remember -- *do not* treat an infected ear -- it is a preventative -- dries the ear and evaporates completely.
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