Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 10/9/2011

Question
My dog 3 Yes old has first infection...took to vet got Med. Been a week..I still hear water in ear..what should I clean out his ears with before adding medicine..I'm using pet Co wash with aloe...but it seems to make worse..he was rafting lamp rice and oatmeal then it started..
I think he couldn't hear as well...its getting better but still very bad..after two times a day Med. And cleaning. ..help

Answer
The ear cleaner you use should be based on the type of infection that the dog has.  If it is a yeast, then we use acidifying wax dissolvers.  If it is a gram negative bacteria, then we use Tris-EDTA.  If it is a gram positive, then we might use something with chlorhexidine.  If the eardrum is ruptured, then we have to actually flush out the middle ear with the dog under anesthesia.  You really should use something your vet recommends, rather than a Petco product.