My puppy (well, 8 isn't actually a puppy, but she is to me) has "stinky ear". I heard that you can use a mixture of 50/50 vinegar and water and an eye dropper and either cotton swabs or a cloth to clean out their ears. Is this true?

I googled and came up with the following link that recommends rubbing alcohol. That is what I'd probably try since it will dry out once inside the ear. Vinegar and water, not sure? and I'm afraid to put things into the ears in case of infection spreading -- alcohol shouldn't cause any problems but ... ? Also, it might sting though so I'd have someone hold her muzzle closed while she is laying down and so that you can drop a few drops in.

Stinky ear syndrome@Everything2.com

I'd definitely take the dog to the vet if it doesn't get better within a few days. I used to work at a vet's office and very very often, dogs would get Foxtail Grass seeds buried very far down in the ear canal and the only way to remove them was to sedate the dog and so that the vet could reach in and remove the seed. Ouch.

I hope it gets better!

We had a beagle that was always having ear problems. (just like two of my kids) The vet showed me how to clean the outside ear with alcohol and a cotton ball.

Had a Bassett several years ago. The vet had us use OTO drops. Put them in the ear and when the dog would shake his head the gunky stuff would come out and I'd clean the outside of the ear. I wouldn't recommend putting anything in the ear without the vets okay.

I would think alcohol would "burn". But I am probably wrong. Thanks Cuthie for the link. Going to check it out now.

I am looking for something more for maintainance. I have some medicine for her ears I believe it is a fungicide. The vet gave it to me when I took her for the stinky ear. I would have sworn she said vinegar and water. I think it was because vinegar kills bacteria and takes care of the odor.

Again, I could be wrong.

ETA: Ya know, I am feeling a little uneasy about all this. I don't want to hurt her. I think I am going to go to Petcare Warehouse and get some ear cleaning solution made for dogs and ask the clerk to show me how to use it.

I have had 2 beagles, and my vet said NEVER to use alcohol.

This is what I use: Cat ear health: Ear Clens® Solution for Cats at Drs. Foster & Smith: cat ear care

Holly

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Forgiveness is love in its most noble form. -Anonymous

"Stinky ears" are the most common sign of an ear infection. Another is constant itching. Dogs don't show pain in the same way that we do, either. So you may not notice it until it gets pretty bad. Take your dog to the vet right away. They will take care of the situation and show you the proper way to take care of your dog's ears. They also have many different types of solutions that you can clean your dog's ears with. I wouldn't recommend using any home remedies on animals. It just isn't a good idea. We have been lucky and have only had one ear infection so far (he is 3 years old now). In the summer after he goes swimming I put some drops in his ear to prevent ear infections. I can't remember their name now - something with a "Z" . . .

Well I still have the cream that the vet gave me last time for her ears. It goes in after you clean them. It's supposed to clean infection out. So I will just clean them as best I can and put the medicine in.

Thanks for the link to the solution, haynes94

Sorry for the alcohol suggestion... I would never want to hurt your dog.

I think that you have a great plan in your post #9.

I'd still call the vet. We really did get a LOT of dogs in with Foxtails in their ears... really low down in there.

I also have Beagles.

My male takes good care of the female's ears, as he is constantly licking them.

We have a standing prescription at the vet office, just in case, for an ear antibiotic (since Beagles have long, floppy ears, they are prone to infection - yeasty infections - since the ears don't allow for much circulation.

I also have a bottle of K-9 Liquid Health Ear Solutions Ear Cleaner (Use to dry ear canal, helps to reduce ear odors) that contains Isopropyl Alcohol, Boric Acid, Genetian Violet, and Colloidal Siver. My vet, at the last checkup, said that our dogs ears look great and if I am using this ear cleaner to continue using it when needed.

I paid $12.99 for it at the local feed store.

I agree with the other posters, about taking your dog to the vet if he is itching his ears frequently. He may need a prescription med such as Otomax, to kill bacteria in the ear.

First off, no..he isn't scratching or tilting. He's behaving perfectly normal. I just noticed that when I get really close to him and rub his hears, I get that smell. He's an otherwise very healthy happy dalmatian. Now you see why the "no floppy ears" thing. He doesn't have them. At least not as bad as a beagles..LOL.

Anyway, my plan is to call the vet and ask her to tell me exactly what she would do so far as getting the ears clean. She showed me when we were in last time and she cleaned them. Hence, the procedure I mentioned in my original post re: the cotton balls or cloths and the vinegar and water. But you guys have me doubting my memory so I will call her.

I found the tube of cream. It;s called MalOtic. It has a real long snout that you can stick inside the ear. You're supposed to start way inside and squeeze it out until you are all the way at the tip of the inside of their ear. Then you rub it so it gets in all the cracks etc. I was told by the vet to use that after every cleaning.

I have a basset and I clean his ears with hydrogen periodex on a cotton square and then repeat with a dry square to make sure his ears are dry. I do this every week, and I am always amazed how much gunk comes out of his ears.

Same here, only we have a boxer whose ears haven't been cropped. I only use a couple of tissues at a time and wipe his ears out. I cannot believe some of the stuff that comes out of his ears. Then I will put a little hydrocortisone ointment in his ears to keep them from itching sometimes. I can tell he doesn't like me cleaning his ears out, because he will put his head down and kind of grit his jaw a little. He sure doesn't mind getting a treat in the end of it though .