CockersOnline Forum
Cocker Specific Discussion => Health => Topic started by: Karen on August 12, 2003, 03:59:47 PM
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??? does anyone else suffer with a cocker that always gets dirty ears and ear infections? When we picked up tia as a puppy she had ear mites and the breeder told me to buy some powder (can't remember name) anyway, I took tia to the vet for her jabs and asked the vet his opinion and he said not to put powder in a dogs ears. OK. Mites went but she's nearly 2 now and always has dirty ears and keeps getting steriods and anti-biotics for ear infections and has had them syringed too. I don't want to keep stuffing her with medicine so does anybody else know of any friendlier ways to keep her ears clean? ::)
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Yep, Paddy also had ear mites when we got him and he still suffers with smelly ears. The vet sold us a bottle of Malaseb Antibacterial & Antifungal Shampoo, which we dilute one part in 20 parts warm water and flush his ears with 2 ml each side daily. So far so good :) no more smelly itchy ears!!
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When I got Millie my vet recommended Leo "Canural" (sp.?) for her ears - whilst her ears were dirty I used it daily - but after that he said whenever they got dirty or itchy just to drop a bit in and it should sort out any problems. :)
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The powder you were recommended by your breeder was probably "Thornit" which has been successfully used by Cocker breeders & owners for many years now. Do vets approve of it? No ;) Does it work? Emphatically, yes - many owners can vouch for this (including me :)) & have managed to cure their Cockers of chronic ear trouble by using it. It's also popular with owners of many other "drop-eared" breeds too. If you do a search on this forum, you'll find Thornit has been recommended many times before. Here's a link to an online supplier: http://www.championpetsonline.co.uk/ (http://www.championpetsonline.co.uk/)
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Thanks for that link Jane, I've now ordered a bottle, will let you know if it works on Paddy!
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Jenny - you will find the Thornits is good stuff. The vets would not recommend it a) because they probably haven't heard of it and B) because they want to make money out of prescribing unnecessary steroids and antibiotics!
I would also recommend keeping the hair short around the ear canal so that air can circulate freely in this hot weather! ;) Linda
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Yep I'm a Thornit fan to ;) I've had one small bottle since i got Butty and she's 11 months now...every few weeks i put a tiny amount in each ear, and so far so good :) I can gladly say she has never suffered from smelly ears :D
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Sounds good, fingers crossed then. Hopefully it comes with full instructions, is it different amounts for size of dog do you know?? As he's only a pup!
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Thanks for all your advice guys - I think I'll get some Thornit on order today! On the subject of vets selling you stuff you don't really need - mine tried to tell me that Tia had a mystery allergy and wanted to send her for extensive tests with a specialist etc after doing basic tests. Anyway, I was unsure so talked to my groomer and she put me onto a local natural grooming company. They went through a list of symptoms - too hot all the time, dry flaky skin, build up of crusty skin on toes / ears, rash on belly - all she had - told me to change her diet and turns out she was having too much protein! Within a week her skin was much better, all the crusty stuff dried up and hasn't come back. She now has a bath in shampoo with a high % of primrose evening oil and apart from having dirty smelly ears (!) as discussed on the health bit she's a lot better. It's hard to know when the vet is genuine when you have insurance you're going to go along with whatever is needed for your dog and they know it!! I have spent the last 2 years giving Tia anti-biotics, steriods and special medicated shampoo etc!
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My vet recommends a solution of half water, half white vinegar for fungal ear infections.
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mine tried to tell me that Tia had a mystery allergy and wanted to send her for extensive tests with a specialist etc after doing basic tests.
Hi Karen - That is so very interesting and I am pleased that you managed to find a solution without having to undergo the extensive tests which no doubt would have cost a fortune and may not have proved anything in the long run!
Linda
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Thornit arrived this morning........excellent service.........have administered first dose to Paddy, he didn't seem to mind either, will let you know how it goes.
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Good luck with it Jenny.....must admit, I too have some Thornit which I put a pinch of in Lotties ears every few weeks ;)
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i have got to say I give a big thumbs up for Thornit! Phoebe tended to have very waxy ears and we had some lotion from the vets. She didn't really like it and it never really cleared the wax fully.
Took her today for a Kennel Cough squirt (didn't know it was a nasal spray but the vet was very impressed with her as she was a model patient - sorry bit of a brag!). He checked her ears and they were completely free of wax!!! I mentioned Thornit and he said yes ok but it can mix with the wax and become a bit of a plug. I'm not going to use anything else though - It Works!
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Brook and Dallas both went down with ear infections yesterday ::) and I decided to try the thornit over my trusted Panalog. Well, it definitely worked but when does the smell of the thornit go :-X. I did them all last night and even now the smell is so strong and its foul :P Im not sure if Ive maybe used too much cos I lost the insert that came with the bottle but I vaguely remember reading that I should use the handle of a teaspoon and put a small amount in which I think I did :- But apart from that, big thumbs up from me :D
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Im not sure if Ive maybe used too much cos I lost the insert that came with the bottle but I vaguely remember reading that I should use the handle of a teaspoon and put a small amount in which I think I did :- But apart from that, big thumbs up from me :D
Hi Gill - Yes you only need a very tiny amount and the way I was shown by a very experienced cocker person was to use a mustard spoon and get a tiny bit on that and make sure the powder goes right inside the ear - then massage the ear gently (they love this bit)! It is a bit tricky but worth it. :D Linda
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Yeah - it does smell abit. On this, Phoebe's ears are clear and we're using the Thornit once a week at the moment but she still is very scratchy around her ears.
She's on JWB and she's always been a bit of an itch pot but could it be anything else? Or is it just her?
What do you think?
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Just thought id say that i ordered some Thornit too ! ;D
It arrived Tuesday morning !!!!
Beano has had very smelly ears and a lot of thick wax !!!! I was doing his ears practically every day !!!!
I put the thornit in on Tuesday afternoon and have noticed results straightaway !!!! ;D
His ears no longer smell and theres no wax this morning !!!!
Thanks for the advice !!!! I can now snuggle him without holding my nose !!!! :o ;) LOL
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Glad to hear its working Sam!!
I think I will order some for Indie I use the spaniel ear wipes every day and do her ears with LEO ear cleaner every 10 days and one of them is always still quite waxie and as you said can be pongie!
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hav never had any for jessie...as she doesn't eally get smelly ears..more a nice smell.. ::) or is that just me???..errm anyways..I ordered some today, to see what its like with her... now I have my credit card theres no stopping me...I knew I should never have got one ;)