Dog Community

Lab ear problem - Malotic?

Posted : 9/17/2006 2:28:40 AM

I am new to the forum and have two labs that I love dearly. Hambone (Ham) is 6 years old and Eggs Benedict (Eggs) has just turned one this last month.

My problem is my 6 year old Ham. As long as I can remember he has had a problem with getting yeast infections in his right ear. No matter how clean I keep it or how many times I use the Malotic that my vet gave me, it keeps coming back.

Now, these boys both do alot of swimming and the Malotic is to be put in their ears before they swim, then after they are done. This is done religiously and I've never had a problem with my youngest (yet)

Both of the boys only eat dog food (we have given them the same brand since they were little), but occasionally I will let them have bread, rawhide bones or treats (by occasionally I mean like once a week if that) I also give them one egg in their food with a little vegetable oil as a treat too about once a week.

Is there anything I can do or something out there better than the Malotic the vet keeps giving me? I mean, it works great - clears it up in about a day - but I am tired of doing it every month or so. I would like to see him get rid of this for good and I am willing to make that work - whatever I have to do.

Thanks for your help and I love it here!!

PS - Looked up this subject and although I saw alot on yeast infections in the ear, there were no hits on the medicine "Malotic" my boy uses.

fuzzy_dogs_mom

Posted : 9/17/2006 12:43:38 PM

I don't have any advice (I'm sure someone who does will be along soon) but I just wanted to say I love those names. []

Joyce

cakana

Posted : 9/17/2006 2:22:35 PM

I have a lab also and when we rescued her, she had a yeast infection in her ear too and continued to have them for the next 2 years. Oddly, it was also her right ear that was the worst too. I could get the problem cleared up, but never for very long. I used every ear cleaner and ointment there is, including the Malotic. I use Oti Calm now and then to clean them, but it's rarely necessary since I changed dog foods. Since we were dealing with other allergy/skin problems, I put her on Natural Balance Duck & Potato and eliminated every treat, including rawhides. Within a week or 2 of the food change, the ear infections completely stopped and it's been over a year and half. The food change didn't clear up all the other skin problems, but the change in ears was remarkable.

labcrab

Posted : 9/18/2006 11:11:24 AM

Hi, Welcome! Love the names.. too cute. What are you feeding the boys? Recurring yeast infections are a sign that something else is wrong. Rather than just treat the symptom (the yeast), you probably want to start looking for the true culprit. Most likely it's some sort of allergy - Atopic, Food or Contact. Does he display any other signs of allergy? For example, does he scratch himself? does he have dischargy eyes? does he ever chew/lick the bottom of his paws? Any pimply bumps anywhere?

Jenny Hoehn

Posted : 9/25/2006 2:23:05 PM

Labcrab - your dog is so cute!!!

They have always eaten the same diet - my husband doesn't believe in changing their food so he has always eaten Purina since he was a pup. We started with the mother's milk puppy chow, then went to the little bites with lamb and rice and that is what he eats all the time.

I have noticed from time to time (usually the beginning of the spring and winter), his hair falls out on his chest a little bit and he gets dry skin there. I always feel something and think it's a bug, but it is always dried skin on his hair - like attached to it. Otherwise, he doesn't itch or have runny eyes or anything like that.

cakana

Posted : 9/25/2006 5:43:43 PM

I can understand your husband not wanting to change foods all the time, but I highly suggest you consider that as a first step. Honestly, changing to Natural Balance Duck & Potato stopped the endless ear problems with my lab. It's certainly worth a try, and you can purchase it at PetCo, so it's pretty convenient. Yes, it's more expensive, but if you compare ingredients, you'll see why and it's well worth it if it helps your dog(s) feel better, right?

Hey...maybe we can start a black lab club [

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