Being of a scientific nature without using proper scientific methods, I decided I want to use a commercial ear cleaner to see how my homemade recipes stack up to it.

Everywhere I read, people are recommending Epi-Otic Advanced Care (Including Carolina's Mom, thank you!). So I swing by the petstore and get the run around. Grrrrr. First it was 'you can only get that at the vet.' Well you have a vet office here, can I pick it up here? So they call the vet tech out and its "Oh, they don't make that anymore" (Oh, I don't buy that for a second!) then it was "in order to purchase an ear cleaner, you need a prescription which requires an office visit."

Ha! Fine, I'll order it off Amazon. In the mean time, I got a an OTC version, which I picked up for $6.00. It's small, 4 oz, and Bear deals with it better if I soak a cotton ball so I doubt this bottle will last long.

Other than that, this extra handling is doing wonders for his training. I was able to trim his paws (first time) with little to no frustration, and fidgeting. I put him in a down stay, put a treat on my thigh, and after each snip, he got his treat. I'm so proud of him!

As of right now, he's ears look normal. No smell, no itching, no redness. I will keep up on the weekly cleanings (probabely twice a week for now) and I'm thinking of treating him with the concoction once a month, or as needed.

Thank you ALL for helping and bearing with me while I figured this out. I really really really appreciate.

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With the ear cleaning solutions, don't just wet the ball. Really fill up the ear canal with the stuff. You need it to trickle down the canal so you can massage the base of the ear (where the lower part of the canal is) and break up any gunk that's down there. The fluid helps flush out any debris. When I say this, I am specifically quoting two separate vets who've said exactly the same thing to me when demonstrating a proper ear cleaning.

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Thanks!!! I've been soaking the ball to the point of dripping then squeezing it as I put it in the ear. Ideally, i want Bear to sit still enough for me to pour the liquid straight in his ear so i can fill the whole canal up. He's a work in progress but I think, behavior-wise, he's doing great for being so young and having such little experience with this type of handling. I thought handling his ears alone would desensitize him to ear cleanings but touching the ears and pouring liquid in them are two completely different sensations. You live and learn. Lol.

I really really appreciate everyone's help and suggestions. I ordered some epi-otic from Dr. Fosters & Smith (i think) website. It was the cheapest price I could find online.


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I use the Epi-Otic stuff on my guys and I really like it

My Vet recommended putting the ear wash directly into my boy's ears, flushing so to speak, once a week. Rub/ massage the ears for a few minutes to work any matter (junk) in the ear loose, allow your dog to shake it's head a few times. Then take a clean cotton ball and wipe out ears.

As a maintenance I use a cotton ball soaked with the Epi-Optic cleaner once or twice a week or as needed. Normally if I've flushed out his ears once a week, I don't need to do anything more to them unless I've given him a bath or he's been swimming. During the summer months my guys go swimming 3-4 times a week.

I was confused in the yeast infection aisle as well. I had the "recipe" on a piece of paper in my hand and took it to the pharmacist at CVS and explained what I needed it for. She had a generic tube behind the counter for only $4.99.