Guest Hollys2hounds Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 So,.. we are in the middle of this giant snow storm, (we have 5+ inches already and we are expecting another foot or so...) and over the last two hours, Lexy has been shaking her head. It seems to be getting more and more frequent. Does anyone know a homemade solution that may relive her discomfort? She has never had an ear infection, but I have had other dogs who did suffer with frequent ear infections. Of course I ran out of the solution I used to use. I think I used to use something with peroxide, and vinegar, but I don't remember... Thanks, Holly Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest IHeartDogs Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 (edited) The ear shaking might be due to being out in the cold weather so I don't know if ear solution would be the cure. Here's what I've used, if there is not an infection I just douse a cotton pad and wipe the ears clean. Blue Power Ear Wash INGREDIENTS: 16 Oz. Isopropyl Alcohol 4 Tablespoons Boric Acid Powder 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). Edited December 19, 2009 by IHeartDogs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hollys2hounds Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 Thanks Iheartdogs, I will get the ingredients the next time I can get out of my house, but for now, I am STUCK, I can't go out. DH has the four wheel drive car, and I am sure nothing is open now anyway. Any other ideas, anyone? I can't see anything in her ears--no redness, no soreness. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 3greysinPA Posted December 19, 2009 Share Posted December 19, 2009 hi HOlly, i have no ideas for a homemade solution... but i wanted to say HI!! and tell you that we are stuck too.. We now have 6-8 inches and calling for double that... and we are snowed in for now... but I am sorry that Lexy is shaking her head.... hugs to her and I will say a prayer that he does not get worse while we are snowed in... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3vagreys Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 I found this one: Use a solution of 50% Vinegar and 50% Water and insert the solution into the ear canal. Gently massage it in and use cotton balls to clean out any debris. (This is also the same cleaning protocol you would want to use when your pet actually has an ear infection prior to administering any type of treatment.) I found this one: Use a solution of 50% Vinegar and 50% Water and insert the solution into the ear canal. Gently massage it in and use cotton balls to clean out any debris. (This is also the same cleaning protocol you would want to use when your pet actually has an ear infection prior to administering any type of treatment.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Clau Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 I don't know if the use of alcohol in an ear "not 100% healthy" is a good idea. If she is shaking her head, she has discomfort so there are risks of inflammation. Have you ever disinfected a wound with alcohol? It really really burns. So if she has little scratches or irritation in her ear that you can't see, she could just hate you for putting alcohol in there. Until you take her to a vet to see what really happens, I would only clean her ear with a solution half water half vinegar. I'm really sorry if I sound rude, I'm french and I only wanted to write this as fast as I can and I'm looking for my words tonight!! Good luck with the storm! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazehund Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 Plain apple cider vinegar might help until you can get your regular stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CaliforniaGreys Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 I've never used it but I know a few people who use white vinegar and peroxide, diluted of course Quote Missing my little Misty who took a huge piece of my heart with her on 5/2/09, and Ekko, on 6/28/12 For the sick, the lost, and the homeless Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2hounds Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 The ear shaking might be due to being out in the cold weather so I don't know if ear solution would be the cure. Here's what I've used, if there is not an infection I just douse a cotton pad and wipe the ears clean. Blue Power Ear Wash INGREDIENTS: 16 Oz. Isopropyl Alcohol 4 Tablespoons Boric Acid Powder 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). We used this with Paradise, it is the ONLY thing that got rid of her ear infections when she first came home - this was after many many many rounds of antibiotics and drops and everything else. Just a few days of using this and it was GONE! Quote 2 Hounds Design Martingale Collars | 2 Hounds Design Facebook PageAlisha, Bob, Livvie (the 2.5 year old!) plus Mia Bella, Tippy, + Wahoo and Diesel the crazy kitties (and missing sweet Iceman, Paradise, Bandit, Cujo & Sebastian) in Indian Trail, NC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 1/2 hydrogen peroxide and 1/2 white vinegar. Squirt in the ear and then wipe with a cotton ball. Quote Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Hollys2hounds Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 Thanks everyone. I tried the peroxide with a tad of vinegar, and so far so good. No head shaking in over an hour. I will re-evaluate in the morning, and when we can get out of the house. Thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 3greysinPA Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 Thanks everyone. I tried the peroxide with a tad of vinegar, and so far so good. No head shaking in over an hour. I will re-evaluate in the morning, and when we can get out of the house. Thanks again! yay!!! that is good news... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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