Hi there

I have a cocker spaniel who keeps getting ear infections.  Always down to yeast and bacteria when I take him to the vets; and he goes in and has them cleaned out then gets lots of anti-biotics and medication.  But after about a month or so it seems to be back.  This is now the 3rd time. 

I have been reading people's comments about Thornit and also about Thornit in general and they say it's for ear mites.  Does anyone know if it would help with a bacteria/yeast infection or is it purely for earmites??  Any other advise you may have would be welcome as his poor ears just always seem to be sore.

Thanks!

Hi, go on www.petmeds.co.uk and see what they have- they are also supposed to be very cheap.
I have been looking at Thornit too:) but have just bought the ear wipes to try!!!

I can sympathise. My poor Sussex, Winnie, has just had TECA (total ear canal ablation) surgery on her right ear, with the left ear to be done in a month. She just kept getting infection after infection and my vet thought it was the best thing to do, as a last resort, because, like you, the problem just kept coming back. I hope your boy doesn't end up going down this route. I tried Thornit and it really didn't make any difference to Winnie.

Totally sympathise, Ido really suffers with his ears sometimes, he's been back and forth to the vet more times than we care to remember but the one major trigger seems to be if he's been swimming. A real shame as he loves to :(

Have tried Thornit in the past but just seems to clag his ears up as he gets quite watery black wax sometimes. The usual regime of Cleanaural/Sancerum then Canaural seems to keep it at bay. Next time it flares up I'm tempted to get a swap sent away but TBH with him it just seems to one of those things, most like allergy related and (touch wood) they've been fine for the past 8 weeks or so.

We see an awful lot of dogs where I work with allergy related ear problems, some manage with cleaner alone, other with a/b drops too, other have to come in for a GA and clean out as they get so stressed about anyone going near their ears, others have steroids to keep it at bay.....seems to be a wide spread problem, especially with 'flappy' eared dogs!

Has anyone tried silverwater? I am considering it because as already said, it's back to the vets over and over again.

Hypothyroidism signs can be of infected/bad ears also!

I use Thornits on my working cockers and highly recommend it. You don't need to use much of it at all, I put in just a tiny pinch once a week and make sure it goes in properly. It's recommended by a lot of cocker folk for keeping their ears clean.

spiritualist, do you mean collodial silver?  If so then it is highly effective and very gentle for ear infections.

I'll get some, thanks. Does anyone recommend a source?

Chronic ear infections are often caused by food allergies.  Dogs can be allergic to just about anything, but grains are common allergens.  I would particularly avoid anything with wheat, corn/maize or soy.
Making a food change is so easy and could make all the difference in the world.I have read of SO many dogs having no more problems with ear infections after a simple but higher quality food change.I would definitely go Grain free and perhaps try a different protein source.What food are you currently feeding?

Chronic ear infections are often caused by food allergies.  Dogs can be allergic to just about anything, but grains are common allergens.  I would particularly avoid anything with wheat, corn/maize or soy.
Making a food change is so easy and could make all the difference in the world.I have read of SO many dogs having no more problems with ear infections after a simple but higher quality food change.I would definitely go Grain free and perhaps try a different protein source.What food are you currently feeding?

Allergies certainly weren't Winnie's problem, she had York tests done for environmental and food allergies and all came back clear. She is raw fed, so doesn't get grains anyway. I think it's just a design fault with her, and probably Spaniels in general, narrow ear canals, much hairier than most dogs and the big, hairy, flappy ears, the ideal breeding ground for bacteria/fungi.

I order mine from:  http://www.ag4all.co.uk/

He also suffers from pancreatitis so he is on a low fat Science diet.  Thanks for the tip I'll look at the ingredients to check.  Although his diet options are limited because of the pacreatitis.