The dirtiest ears ever...

[jodysh]

This is the other thing with Malcolm as of late. His ears get really dirty and have heavy wax! Especially the right one. I started cleaning them once a week. And that wasn't enough. I was using EarthBath earwipes. So then I started cleaning them every other day and that still didn't seem like enough

I started using cotton balls and qtips as well with apple cider vinegar - which I read is good for many ailments and general good health for dogs (and humans!). He gets groomed every 6 weeks too.

Is this a thing with doodles? My lab had dirty ear issues from time to time and had an infection a few times in his life, but my goodness nothing nearly this extreme. Mal hasn't had any infection (and hope he doesn't!) but why are they so dirty? I clean them every day now.

[deepnite10]

YUP..these guys...and gals are prone to ear infections..

the way the ears lay..allows moisture to form in a dark, damp, warm enviorment..perfect for a yeast infection..this is where you ll see the yucky brown gunk..

when i first noticed it in Toby..it looked like someone threw some mud into his ear....it took 2 weeks of daily cleaning to clear up the situation..and like an idiot i thought this was the end of it..then it came back..

i now pluck the hair inside his ears atleast twice a week..the hair wicks moisture into the ear canal..use clippers to clear a air channel under the ear flaps..and use Bio-Groom ear rinse on his ears twice a week when im thru with his hair plucking..

[Daisy'sMom]

We had issues off and on with our Golden Retriever but not as bad as you are describing. My next door neighbors' dog was battling constant ear infections and it turned out to be due to a food allergy. Ever since they switched her food her ears have been perfect. I never would've figured that one out, not sure how they did! Their dog is not a labradoodle or lab or anything but it's a large breed w/ floppy ears. I hope it improves soon for you!

[Nikkiey]

Juneau gets really dirty ears. We try and stay on top of it (cleaning them every week), but he still manages to get ear infections and what seams to be some serious wax build-up. Our vet actually gave us this large bottle of ear cleaning solution that we use to clean his ears - that and wipes seem to keep it under control.

Right now we're actually dealing with a really dirty ear, and similar to Malcolm, it's usually more so one over the other. We just keep cleaning it out and watching it for any sort or infection.
Just be careful when you're cleaning out their ears that you're not accidently pushing any ear wax further down their ear canal cause that can cause blockages and infections.

[jesstat]

Diego too! Plucking the hair out of the ears definitely helps (I just have the groomer do it). I clean them weekly as well, but if it gets bad I have to do it everyday.

My parents' lab when I was growing up had a similar problem that turned out to be allergies. Keep an eye on it and if it persists for a long time, maybe look into allergy testing or a hypoallergenic food.

[jodysh]

Thanks all. I would have never thought of a food allergy either! I'll definitely keep an eye on it and keep cleaning daily (or less if it looks like it's getting better maybe).

[Moe]

My vet just cleaned Charlie's ears (she's 12 weeks) and I could not even believe what was in there. He said it is a breed thing. He soaked the cotton balls in ear cleaning solution, jammed them pretty far into her ears then put the ears back down and kind of massaged the ears. He let the cotton balls sit in there for about 20-30 seconds, he said it loosens the wax. It was gross, that was a week ago and I'm afraid to look in there. I'm a bit squeamish about that kind of stuff. I'm getting better though, now I'm able to get the ticks off her without almost passing out.

[jodysh]

Well Mal will be going to the vet in the AM. I was cleaning his ears tonight and it seemed like the left ear was hurting him, so I made an appointment. It looks really really dirty in there. I looked in with a little flash light. My poor little son.

[Lucky Me]

Dr. Becker has a wonderful video on ear problems and cleaning ears...
Must-Know Tips to Keep Your Pet's Ears Healthy

I use Ottic ear cleaner or
a mix of 1/3-water, 1/3 white vinegar, 1/2 rubbing alcohol.

You have to fill the ear cavity, massage it, then let the dog shake his head. Then you can aggressively clean out the ear with cotton balls.

One of my dogs has very hairy ears inside, so I have to be diligent with keeping the hairs pulled & I shave under the ears so that the air can get to his ears...

[M&Tdoodles]

MANY HAVE USED INCLUDING US AND IT WORKS WELL...BUT DIET COULD BE THE ISSUE IF YOUR DOG IS ALLERGIC TO CHICKEN, YOU COULD ALSO TRY SWITCHING TO LAMB/RICE FORMULA TO SEE IF IT MAY CLEAR THIS UP ALSO. AN EASY TEST TO DO YOUR SELF.

TRY THIS

TRY THIS

[Ace's Place]

Ace's ears cleared after two weeks off c hicken. He had chronic ear infections, they were pink/red instead of pink/white and he scratched and kept shaking his head. I also read somewhere that that cute little tilted head look is actually a sign that their ears are bothering them! He started doing that alot too. Anyway now I am waiting to see if just cleaning ears a few times a week keeps them clear. If so, I'll know it was the food allergy......

[jodysh]

I'll check out that video, thanks!

He has a yeast infection so I have medication to put in his ears twice a day for 10 days. Going to tr to clean them out again this weekend. Hopefully they will have stopped hurting him by then My poor little son.

I hope Ace is cleared up! I'm not sure about a food allergy. He eats Blue Buffalo Wilderness Puppy food and I do give him a bit of canned food in the morning to get him to eat his breakfast in a more timely manner. We will see how the medication goes and what not. HOpefully it will work!

[deepnite10]

i can t say that diet could nt be the problem..

more likely..i would say that the yeast infection is more likely the result of
moisture and hair build-up in the ear..

[chocodog]

When I had Nash at the vet the last time, he told me that giving him a pro-biotic, like activia yogurt, will help keep his ears clean, but I never actually tried it. I meant to, but I had forgotten about it until I was reading this. Has anyone actually tried the yogurt thing?

[deepnite10]

prior to Toby s yeast infection i had been feeding him yogart to settle his
runny poops..

the infection came anyway..yet, his infection was nt a result of diet, rather moisture buildup..