Grrrrr dog ears...

pulliptears

I have what my OH lovingly describes as a "Duff Westie" lol. He is pedigree, but unfortunately his ears never stood up. Whilst I love his little quirk (It makes him exceptionally cute!) he is constantly plagued with ear infections.

We are mid treatment again for an infection. I can usually fight them off myself using human Otex eardrops and a combination of white vinegar mixed 50/50 with warm water and bathing. Occasionally he does have to make a trip to the vets for antibiotics if home treatment fails :cool:

Anyone have any tips for avoiding them altogether? Its tempting to tie his ears up at the moment!

Bendybops19

Awww he sounds so cute! Post a piccie of the little fella!

I guess the only advice is to keep them clean all the time - not just when he gets a nasty infection.

Bathe them weekly with boiled and then cooled water on cotton wool balls, and make sure your doggy shakes his head to clear all the water after, as it can cause an infection.

pboae

My dog has loads of problems with his ears and I've been recommended something called Thornit, which is an old fashioned herbal remedy for dog's ears. I've not tried it yet, but I've ordered some, you can get it on the net, and apparently you only need a tiny amount so it lasts ages. It's supposed to be best used as a prevantative rather than when the ears are already bad.

pulliptears

sounds interesting pboae, Ill look into that. I try and clean his ears every day, but every now and again they just flare up **sigh**

Here is my little duff westie... I love him to bits I have a scottish terrier as well, his ears did come up properly and are never a bit of trouble!!

pboae

My dog's ears fold over as well, but I only clean them evert other day now, because they cleaning was starting to irritate them as well. You can't win sometimes can you?

sharon59

my darling cocker spaniel Jake who we lost last year had awful ears-constantly yucky for years l used to spend ages cleaning etc.vet said it was because his ears didnt get air in-even suggested hoding them up with headband for few hours a day but could never get it to stay so gave up-but think westies ears are smaller and dont drop so far so maybe worth a try!!

pulliptears

sharon59 wrote: »

my darling cocker spaniel Jake who we lost last year had awful ears-constantly yucky for years l used to spend ages cleaning etc.vet said it was because his ears didnt get air in-even suggested hoding them up with headband for few hours a day but could never get it to stay so gave up-but think westies ears are smaller and dont drop so far so maybe worth a try!!

Aww sharon, Im so sorry for your loss

I had considered trying an elastic alice band, he's a fairly placid dog, will sit quite happily in a pair of sunglasses so I would be surprised if he wouldnt let me do that.

Ill try it an update......;)

suki1964

Make sure any hair inside the ears is clipped off. Clean the ears regularly with Epiotic http://www.hyperdrug.co.uk/searchprods.asp and then use a wee pinch of Thornit http://www.championpetsonline.co.uk/popup.cfm?p_n=35246&p_i=35246

Now your vet wont have heard of Thornit but it really is the bees knees when it comes to ear problems with dogs. I have had cocker spaniels who are notorious for manky ears - keeps them clean and mite free. You use so little Im still using the same bottle 3 years later. Its smelly - but a clean smell. I use the end of a teaspoon to scoop up a small amount. Just enough and the smell goes in 24 hrs, too much and the smell tends to linger a bit longer

edited to add, if your westie also has itchy paws (common when they get ear mites)then a sprinkle over them will clear them up as well

Bendybops19

Awwww he is gorgeous!!!!

pulliptears

Im ordering Thornit as I type! Thanks for the link. I didnt realise it was powder.

Smallish update, the vinegar/water soloution is drying up all the excess wax etc and Bob's ears are looking a lot better this morning. The otex seems to be working as well and the smell around the ear is going.

Looks like Im going to be able to avoid the vet again

suki1964

I hope so - not just for your bank balance but for her well being as well

Funnily enough not long after I posted that last night my cocker started really scratching his ear.Ii had a look and yep a bit mucky, tipped in a pinch of thornit and he settled down within minutes and not a hint of scratching today.

If you little girl is often getting ear complaints it may be worth looking at her diet. Westies are renowned for skin problems as well, a lot of it is linked to diet. If you arent already it may be worth changing her over to a colour/additive free food