Stinky ears

[MyBackHurts]

My OEM's ears smelly funky and look like they're full of some wax build up or something. Is this a "vet"-worthy situation or is their a home remedy?

 

[Cody]

Are they red and inflamed?
How often do you clean them?
I would clean them well and then see.

 

[PuppyPaws]

I am by no means a vet, but you could get an earwash and rinse/clean them out good. I have also found a good home remedy for ear infections. Actually my vet told me about it believe it or not. My vet was repeatedly treating a cocker spaniel for ear infections (they are notorious for ear issues) and then one day the owner came in with the dog again. The vet assumed they were there for the ears again. The owner said nope... Her ears had been fine. When the vet asked what she had been doing she said she had been using a home remedy of vinegar and water. I have tried it on my English setter and it WORKS! You have to be careful and catch it before the dog scratches and cuts the inside of the ear b/c of course the vinegar will burn like fire. The dog may smell a little from the vinegar but it is easy, inexpensive and it works in my experience. My vet said he was so impressed with the state of the dogs ears, he was going to tell his other patients that struggled with this about it. That's why he shared it with me, thought I would pass it along. BTW, it takes very little vinegar maybe a teaspoon or 2 to about a full 12 oz bottle of water. I still use the same earwash bottle I had, I just keep the home remedy in it now instead of purchasing more and more earwash. We really haven't had any ear infections in years. I think he may be getting one, I use a little of this and problem has been solved.

 

[Fixer]

I wonder if Apple Cider vinegar would be effective, I know it would smell better...

 

[PuppyPaws]

Actually, I think that is what I used. Still smells but does go away.

 

[Lorri monster]

oh my, i use vinegar to clean many things, but never thought to use it on my EM's stanky ears, whom is notroius for ear infections..ugh, and that antibiotic isn't cheap.... thanks sooo much for the advise.. i will be trying that as soon as i get home from work today

 

[mia]

I use the vinegar and water solution as well at night I wipe out Mamma's ears with a baby wipe. Her ears where a nightmare when I adopted her. Diet helps too, no corn/wheat. It's still good to have a vet look deep down into the ear canal to ensure there is no infections etc at your regular check up.

 

[PuppyPaws]

oh my, i use vinegar to clean many things, but never thought to use it on my EM's stanky ears, whom is notroius for ear infections..ugh, and that antibiotic isn't cheap.... thanks sooo much for the advise.. i will be trying that as soon as i get home from work today

Hope it went well Just remember if there is a cut deep down, it will burn them. Also, I totally agree with Mia about having ears checked by vet on the annual or next visit. Let us know how it goes.

 

[Ripsmom]

don't use the vinegar if there is any redness or inflammation or it'll make it much worse; the reason the vinegar may be effective is because it's usually a yeast infection. most ear washes contain salacylic acid which works the same as the vinegar. it'll work if it isn't too bad but if it's inflamed and rurally infected you may need to get an ointment from the vet then keep the ears maintained with the vinegar after it's healed. as "mia" said food does seem to play a major role in these things since food with corn and wheat promote yeast growth. sometimes probiotics like acidopholus orally can really help too.