I know this is a shot in the dark, and I may have mentioned it on another thread at some point, but did they take a sample and culture the stuff in her ear?

When I'd gotten my late cat Misha many years ago, she had what the vet thought was ear mites. We treated it with the meds he prescribed but the stuff in her ears kept coming back. Finally, they ran a test (or 2 or 3) and dsicovered that she didn't have mites, but had a yeast infection which apparently is more common in dogs than it is in cats. The vet prescribed an iodine drop medication (charming to give, one shake of the cat's head after administering the drops, and that stuff flew everywhere--and yes, the stains it leaves behind are permanent). It did the trick though, and she never had another ear problem after that.

I have had tons of experience with food allergies.

Yes, you could be dealing with a food allergy. If the infection stays away, that's what it probably is.

Been there, done that with the meds.

Hard, expensive lesson I learned. If vet issues the med, ask for a date when you will start to see positive results. If positive results don't happen by date, ask why. Never leave this open ended.

If vet does not know why or wants to switch meds, he/she probably does not know what is going on.

Another lesson. When dealing with any type of skin issues, go see a veterinary dermatologist. This is completely different from regular veterinary practicing.

Another lesson. If you have not already, research ear issues in dogs. Google is great for this.

Another lesson. If med you are using is not working and keeping infection away, forget it. It probably never will. There has to be a reason for the recurring infection.

Good luck!

SG

Well some dog ears are prone to ear yeast infections because of long floppy ears, fuzzy hair and moisture. Keeping floppy dog's ears clean and DRY, goes along way to prevent yeast infections. I try to wipe my dogs ears out with a paper towel regularly.

Usually a Vet can tell a yeast problem from ear mites by the smell. Did your vet tell you to finish the bottle before stopping the treatment? That may have been part of the problem.

Food allergies is a common cause of chronic ear problems and skin problems in dogs. So switching to a quality food is a good idea. And watching the ingredients, making sure when you are switching foods that you are switching ingredients as well.

As mentioned, besides, you may have to keep on top of the situation by always keeping the ears clean and watching them weekly.

Our Amos had an ear infection shortly after he started swimming last summer. We took him to the vet, he flushed out his ear and gave drops and it cleared it up. No problems until about 10 days ago. DH always cleans his Amos' ears when he baths him weekly and pulls out the hair so he keeps up with how everything is going but he found brown stuff in one ear and so he started him back on the drops again. This time it didn't seem to help and Amos yelped once when my son rubbed his ear kinda vigorously. so off to the vet and this time, it was a yeast infection so we are on the red drops, guess the iodine ones. Just after a couple doses, he has stopped the shaking of his head. Of course we will continue the drops and take him back for a recheck.

I agree whole heartedly with joepyeweed

Often ear infections are caused by yeast. I've been reading about this because my dog has had a skin yeast infection and allergies that have affected his general health. Anyway, here is a link to a good article about yeast and diet.

Here is a link that might be useful: Yeast and diet

Wow, you all are awesome, thanks for all of the advice. I did follow VetÂs directions for use of eardrops. Place 1 drop of Mometamax ointment in ear 4 times a day for 10 days, no refills. Since the 10 days were up, I have begun to put in one drop/day & clean the ear out with cloth daily. My DH took her & is not very detail oriented like I am so I am not sure of what exactly was said at the Vet. I am also switching her food over to the allergy food natural balance duck & potato. Here are the ingedients: Potatoes, Duck Meal, Duck, Canola Oil (preserved with natural mixed tocopherols), Potato Fiber, Natural Flavor, Salmon Oil, Flaxseed, Potassium Chloride, Choline Chloride, Taurine, Lysine, L-Carnitine, Yucca Schidigera, Vitamin E Supplement, Iron Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Sulfate, Copper Sulfate, Potassium Iodide, Thiamine Mononitrate (Vitamin B-1), Manganese Proteinate, Manganous Oxide, Ascorbic Acid, Vitamin A Supplement, Biotin, d-Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Sodium Selenite, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B-6), Vitamin B-12 Supplement, Riboflavin (Vitamin B-2), Vitamin D-3 Supplement, Folic Acid (Vitamin B).
She actually seems to love the food so thatÂs good. I have researched on the net a little but will definitely check out the link provided. I did not ask how long before results should be seen but will the next time I talk to vet. I have never owned a dog with long floppy ears but understand the logic of this being a problem. I will be sure & let everyone know when I think I have this totally under control or if the situation changes. Thanks a million for all of the help & any more info is always appreciated. Who know, if it doesnÂt pertain to my baby it could save someone elseÂs from this problem.

I'd fed her like a wolf, sense it IS her wild for-runner, you my be quite stunned-a raw food diet is GREAT

www.Haretoday.com is a good online store. Raw fed dogs never have "doggie breath" they almost never need to see a vet nor get their teeth cleaned,ect, the list goes on and on, BUT be sure to research it and NEVER give cooked bones,just raw.

The only way to be sure that an ear infection, or any other allergy symptoms, are caused by food is to do a complete food trial. If food is a problem, your dog should have symptoms year round. If her symptoms are not year round, she probably has environmental allergies and not food allergies.

1. All infections must be properly treated and gone. The Rx your vet gave should clear up any type of ear infection with the exception of ear mites, unless the infection is resistant. The fact that the infection came back within days of stopping treatment makes me think that the medication course wasn't long enough or that the infection is resistant. The infection must be cleared before starting the counting phase of the food trial. You should still feed the new food during the time that you are trying to control the infection, in case food is a problem. Otherwise, you will have a lot of trouble clearing the infection.

2. The counting phase starts after all infections are cleared and continues for 8 full weeks. During this phase, the only thing your dog can eat is the new food. You also have to change heartworm prevention to Heartgard Unflavored or to oral ivermectin, because all other heartworm preventions have beef and other flavorings in them that can interfere with the food trial. No treats, bones, or anything else besides the food can be given during this time. If something is accidently fed, you have to start the countdown all over again, because it takes about 8 weeks for the body to clear the effects of the inflammation.

3. The next phase is the challenge phase. This is often not done, but it absolutely necessary if you want to be sure that there is a food allergy. If your dog showed an improvement during the countdown phase, you feed the original food for about a week. The symptoms should return- ie your dog will get another ear infection. If the symptoms do not return, it was not a food allergy. If there was no improvement during the countdown phase then either your dog is also allergic to the new food, or she doesn't have a food allergy.

I really like Natural Balance foods for diet trials, as opposed to most of the foods vets recommend (usually Science Diet, which I hate). You could also do raw or homemade diets, but it is difficult to afford foods that your dog hasn't eaten before. Duck is expensive when you buy at the grocery store, at least around here.

Thank you for all of the great detailed information you have shared Meghane. I used to feed the science diet before I switched to the natural balance. I have been feeding rawhide bones to her & probably shouldn't be while I am doing this test at least. Any recommendations as to a bone or something that I can give her that wouldn't cause diet problems? She likes to chew on things non-stop & only leaves the furniture etc alone if she has a constant supply of bones of some sort to chew on. Any sort of toy I have given her she destroys in no time & will try to eat the shreds & pieces of the toys. Thanks again I will study what you have said & adjust accordingly. Terri

Update, the ear infection has cleared up, no problems for about 4 weeks now. She hasnÂt even looked like she needed her ears cleaned or anything, no brown, no scratching at all. She has been on a strict diet of, natural balance duck & potato. I feed her Buddy biscuits sweet potato madness that is 95% organic wheat & corn free. She also chews on rawhide bones while I am present. When I do start to introduce her to more kinds of food, how do I go about it? Thanks,

Answer to both questions: very carefully.

I would wait at least another month before adding other types of foods. I can't remember, but I believe it takes about two months for all of the other food to completely leave the body.

I'm on my second dog with a wheat allergy, my old girl that I lost had a corn problem. Some of the food they like are: cottage cheese, tuna, rice boiled in stock, pumpkin, pasta, peanut butter, cheese, green pepper, cucumber, apple, pear, honey, bread and lots of other things I'll think of later.

You mention rawhide bones. These are probably something your dog loves, most do. However, they can cause huge problems with digestion, especially if the dog eats to much of them. They are dry and expand inside the dog with the body fluids. This can cause a blockage or other serious issues. Frozen kongs or hollow bones purchased at the pet shop(over night to make them really hard)stuffed with peanut butter or liquid cheese are great alternatives. Dogs wear themselves out trying to get all of the stuff out.

Great to hear that things are going well!

SG

OK, I have not made any food changes & she is starting to get another ear infection. I have tried a few new moisturizing shampoos & sprays that are supposed be good for the skin & coat & smell good. I am just wondering, can these be absorbed into the skin & cause an allergy like as if they have eaten something that they are allergic to? She does not scratch her skin like it is irritating at all. Only things I notice are brown in one ear, scratching of ear & extra licking of the private parts. I have a new bottle of the med for ear infections do I start that back up & what is my next step? I thought we might have had this under control. Oh well, not giving up. SG do you think it is ok to give her some of the treats you mentioned above or should I hold off on that? Thanks, Terri

you must be really careful because ear mites can cause deafness in worst case.

Here is a link that might be useful: dog ear mites symptoms

Here's an excerpt from an article on pet food and allergies.
Adverse food reactions and food intolerances, hypersensitivities and allergies are popular topics of discussion among pet owners and may affect 8-10% of our pets. These topics also constitute a large portion of the feedback to manufacturers' customer service lines. Complaints can range from vomiting and diarrhea to ear infections to skin and coat problems such as "hot spots," lesions, inflammation, reddening and chewing on feet and legs.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pet food allergies