Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 12/4/2011

Question
My chocolate lab was diagnosed with food allergies in the ear they said it was a yeast infection and i did their medicine that the Vet had given me and never helped him any, then he said well get a head and get the cheap brand of Monistat and put it in his ears and he is still really yeasty and digging at his ears can you please tell me what else I can do to help my dog tank.  I hate to see him suffer.  Thank you for your time.

Answer
Many labs with yeasty ears are allergic.  Steroids seem to help nicely to relieve the itching.  I recommend a product called Malacetic Ultra Otic, which is an ear cleaner with an antifungal drug and a little cortisone to help take some of the itching away.  If the dog is truly food allergic, then you need to feed him a special food that prevents the ear reactions and feed that food only...no treats, etc.