Quote:
Originally Posted by misstopaz
Thank you Todd for answering so quickly. We've had him for 2 years now and changed his diet several times already because he does have a sensitive stomach, but he always had problems with his ears. Especially the right one, gets really dirty and needs to be cleaned every 3 days, unlike his left ear which would normally need cleansing one in 2 weeks. I've already asked the vet, but he says it's normal and this a common problem for shar-pei dogs....I do wish I could do something about, it's very uncomfortable for him, constantly itches so he shakes his head all the time or sometimes even wounds himself by scratching.
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whats his current diet? i have known many dogs who have had constant ear infections and everything cleared up with a switch to a healthier diet. have you considered a raw, home cooked, or even high quality kibble diet?
Here's some other information I found online about naturally curing chronic ear problems;
Here are some natural cures for ear problems I found online, but remember diet is the most important thing and most likely the contributed to the problem. be sure to let me know what food you are feeding now. this is very important;
Ear Dr. - Soothes and conditions to prevent scratching and itching, plus promotes complete ear health
Dog ear canals are L-shaped to protect the sharp hearing capabilities of dogs. This unusual shape is nature’s way of protecting the ear drum. This shape is also the major reason why an ear infection is common in dogs. This is mainly due to the fact that the structure allows the ear mites, moisture, ear wax and debris to accumulate.
When moisture and excessive wax accumulates in the ear, it can lead to severe infection of the ear, especially if there is also a prevalence of dog ear mites. Conventional medications that include antibiotics and antifungal drugs tend to weaken the immune system. On the other hand, home remedies for dog ear mites attempt to focus on the underlying cause without harming other functions of the body:
A yeast infection is indicated by an accumulation of brownish-pink wax. Dilute white acetic acid or vinegar in an equal quantity of water and pour a few drops in the dog’s ears. Massage the area mildly and then remove the loosened wax with a cotton swab. Do not use this remedy if there is an open sore wound in the ear. Vinegar is likely to irritate the dog. In this case, use mineral or almond or olive oil with Vitamin C to loosen the wax so that it can be cleaned.
Pau d’arco, an herb that comes from the inner bark of a South American tree, is a natural antibiotic recommended for dogs. Tincture of pau d’arco with a little bit of mineral oil will go a long way to heal ear infections.
The adrenal glands play an important role in containing ear infections in dogs. You can improve the function of the adrenal glands by giving a regulated dose of Vitamin C. Keep a watch on the bowel movements of the dog and manage the dose so that it does not lead to diarrhea.
A natural healthy homemade diet is highly recommended to avoid harmful effects of commercial diets that use synthetic preservatives and additives. This will help to eliminate toxins, curtail the production of wax and also support the automatic immune responses.
Breeds with long drooping ears are at a greater risk of developing ear mites. Tie a head band to allow free air circulation of air in the ears, at least when the dog is indoors.
Trim ear hair regularly during grooming to give an easy passage to air to get in and dry the inner ear thoroughly after a bath.
Recipe #1
Mix one part white vinegar with one part rubbing alcohol (50/50 mixture) in a squirt bottle and shake well.
Recipe #2
Mix 4 ounces of rubbing alcohol, 2 tablespoons of boric acid, and 1 tablespoon of glycerin. Shake well.
Cleaning your dog’s ears may not be the most glamorous thing you can do for him, but it’s a staple of any good dog grooming routine.
****Also make sure not to get any water in the dogs ears during bathing for this will cause problems. put a cotton ball in until done.
Hail to all dog lovers!
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