Yeast infection in one ear

[Kujo]

Kujo has a minor yeast infection in his right ear, our vet prescriped Tresaderm Solution (antifungal) drops. Luckily we caught it pretty fast so his ear canal isn't damaged, just a little yeasty. :yuck:

My question is after we've completed this treatment and the yeast is gone (hopefully ray is preventative maintenance necessary? Will this be a lifelong battle?

I researched some other threads and found some natural solutions to try (diluted apple cider as a topical and as an additive in their food/water), but I couldn't tell if these solutions were a treatment to get rid of yeast or a treatment to prevent yeast from coming back...or both?

also...Kujo is currently on Blue Buffalo...has been for about 2-3 months now...this forumla does contain chicken...I know a lot of mastiffs are allergic to chicken but I was willing to give Blue Buffalo a chance based on good reviews, could this infection be a result of his food? Should I change his food now or wait until his treatment is over?

Thanks in advance, I'd love to hear about others experiences/success/failure in dealing with yeast.

 

[ruthcatrin]

A one time infection isn't a big deal, especially if it goes away fairly easily. LOTS of things can cause it.

Now if it comes back, then you have a problem.

I do suggest, if you aren't already, once you're done with the ear drops do a weekly cleaning on his years. This will make sure he's used to having his ears handled, and also hopefully keep it from being an issue again. Diluted ACV is a common one, I use a cleaner from the Zymox line (they have medicated drops too, but I use the un-medicated cleaner). Apollo had a couple ear infections before we switched him to raw (it was one of my reasons for switching), they weren't close together, but still. Whether its the Zymox or the raw switch, he hasn't had any additional issues.

 

[CaitN]

While he's still young, I recommend getting him used to you cleaning his ears with cotton balls and/or massaging them. That way he won't think too much about it if you need to handle his ears a lot. If you can get to yeast infections early enough you can sometimes prevent it from developing further.

The medicated cleaners are worth it, even if you only use it once every few weeks - it changes the PH of their ears so that bacteria can't grow. It may be expensive, but it's still less then the cost of a trip to the vet and the cytology lab fees to examine the ear swab!

Macy has had a yeast infection in her ears at least twice of year, it seems to happen seasonally. We use Surolan to treat the yeast infection (works topically for injuries on their feet, etc. too) and use Rigo ear cleaner.

She's also on the blue buffalo food with chicken and handles it well. She tends to have a sensitive stomach too, so I'm not rocking the boat and trying lamb or anything else at this point! I was surprised to hear that some mastiffs are allergic to chicken.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Chicken is one of the most common allergens for dogs period actually. Cause its an extremely common ingredient. Even in foogs that are mostly another protein source they frequently contain chicken in a varietly of forms.

 

[mx5055]

Dogs that have yeast infections in their ears seem to almost always have a propensity to keep having problems; the best thing you can do is to keep the ears clean and dry on an ongoing basis and try to avoid the whole mess. I always had problems with my last boxer...his ears were uncropped and I lived in Florida and Maryland where the humidity is horrible, and the humidity does seem to always make it worse. The following is a ear wash that I found on the internet that people have been swearing by for years. Maybe it will help

[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Blue Power Ear Wash Recipe

[FONT=trebuchet ms,modern][/FONT]

[FONT=trebuchet ms,modern]http://www.mariebennett.com/standardpoodles[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]INGREDIENTS:

16 Oz. Isopropyl Alcohol
[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]4 Tablespoons Boric Acid Powder
[/FONT]
[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]16 Drops Gentian Violet Solution 1%

Mix together in alcohol bottle and shake well.

Please shake this solution every time you use it to mix the Boric Acid Powder. Either a baby ear syringe or a plastic squirt bottle work well for putting the solution in the ear.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE:

Evaluate condition of ears before treating and if the are inflamed and sore do not attempt to pull hair or clean out ear at all. Just flush and then wait until inflammation is gone, which will be about two days. Warm the solution and shake the bottle each time before using. The dogs will accept the treatment much better if you warm it up for them.

Flood the ear with solution (gently squirt bottle).

Massage gently, wipe with 100% cotton pad.

On first treatment: flood the ear twice, wipe with a pad, and leave alone without massage.

The dog will shake out the excess, which can be wiped with a tissue. (Note: the Gentian Violet does stain fabrics so you're best to do this outdoors.)

Treat 2x per day for the first week to two weeks, depending upon severity of ears.

After the 2nd or 3rd day you can clean out the ear with a tissue or cotton pad.

Treat 1x per day for the next 1-2 weeks.
Treat 1x per month (or even less frequently, depending on the dog).[/FONT]
[/FONT][/FONT]
__________________

 

[ruthcatrin]

FYI, many dogs find that much alcohal irritating. I understand the point of it, but just watch the ears.

 

[mx5055]

FYI, many dogs find that much alcohal irritating. I understand the point of it, but just watch the ears.[/QUOTE

I understand Ruth, but it does have a drying effect, and that's one of the biggest problems with yeast...the constant moist environment that allows things to grow. I am definitely going to try it the next time I have a problem (usually in the summer) as I would rather do this than all the medications, and medicated ear washes the vets usually give

 

[ruthcatrin]

Oh I agree, I hate the medicated stuff myself. I was thrilled when I saw that Zymox had put out a non-medicated cleaner to go with their medicated drops. Just becarefull, if you dry them out to far you can cause other problems.

 

[angelbears]

Kujo, I agree with all the above and believe me I know yeast, unfortunately. If it is a one time thing or once a year thing, use the drops, get rid of it and move on. IF it starts reoccurring then I would make some changes to his diet. When dealing with yeast, any form of sugar is a big NO NO. Plus, antibiotics are really bad for causing yeast overgrowth. .

Sending HUGS to the little big guy!

 

[Smokeycat]

I think antibiotics are why Kryten now has a mild infection. He's got drops because I'm not willing to do the normal acv/water weekly cleaning until his bones have healed.

 

[Kujo]

Thank you everyone! I appreciate all the advise and shared stories, definitely eases my mind a bit. We'll complete the 2 weeks of medicated drops...Kujo definitely does not enjoy the drops, he barely tolerates it actually, so hopefully the next 2 weeks will help him get used to it. I won't worry about his food just yet, if it becomes a reoccuring issue I'll look into other foods. Also if it becomes a reoccuring issue I'll be looking into home remedies. We do live in a wet climate...but it's not humid for the most part, just cold and wet so I don't think I need to worry about that...hopefully.

@AB I was hoping you would reply, when I was researching other threads on this I saw your name a bunch! I am really hoping it's a one time thing, or even just once a year. ray: time will tell

 

[DennasMom]

Denna also has one trouble ear, and one trouble-free ear. The vets never think it's a problem... not sure if they just weren't able to get a good look, or what...

But... We went with Ruth's recommendation for the Zymox products and LOVE them.

The medicated Zymox gel (with Hydrocortisone) worked AWESOME on Denna's ear. She also took the treatment very well. Being a gel, I think it doesn't tickle as much as liquid, and since you don't do any cleaning while on the product, no poking around with cotton or tissues.

Her ear was clear for a few months, but looks like it's getting gooey again (and we feed raw)... I need to do better about weekly treatments with the Zymox cleaner. Bad mommy.

 

[musicdeb]

Titan continues to have yeast infections every 2-3 months. I clean his ears every other day with the Denna's solution when they are infected. Once it clears up, I clean them once a week. I put a dash of alcohol because it dried out Titan's ear.