Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 6/12/2005

Question
Hi Dr.
I have a going on two year old bitch that has had cronic yeast ear infections.
She gets them so bad her ears bleed from scratching.
The vet keeps giving Medomite or something like that, been to 2 vets to get her help.
Is there anything I can do to keep this poor dog from the misery of this day after day.  She is so good at letting me clean them 2 and 3 times a day of red, brown wax.  She whines when I dig, but she tolerates me.
I read over the net that mixing vinegar with water will help, it did not unless I just hated putting her through going crazy from the sting.
Any suggestion or help as she has been vetted to death, been on ear drops, clears up and comes right back within 2 weeks, then I am back to ear wash, and cleaning and watching her scratch and scratch.


Answer
She most likely has allergies that are not being treated.  If the vet is using an ear mite medicine, then it will only get worse.  I recommend a product called Malacetic Otic (www.dermapet.com), which is a combination of vinegar and boric acid.  That along with treatment for either food allergy or pollen allergy usually keeps these ears quiet.