Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 6/11/2008

Question
My Chocolate Lab has  a smelly dark substance in her right ear have been treating her by cleaning out her ear every day with a warm saline flush also i had amoxocilin i have been giving her 1/1/2 tsp per day it seems to be getting better, but still red and warm. her appetite is good and no abnormal behavior. can you suggest what else i can do.    Thank you Vickie Holmes

Answer
Unfortunately, amoxicillin will not get into the ear.  And cleaning the top portion of the ear does not allow a true ear cleaning.  The dog's ear canal is very long and turns into the deeper part of the head, which you can't reach.  YOu should have your vet sedate the dog, take a sample of the goo inthe ear ana analyze it, and do a deep ear cleaning all the way down to the eardrum.  MAny dogs with ear infections also have allergies, especially labs, so you will need to deal with that, too.  Ask your vet.