Question:
Our cocker spaniel has a lot of ear infections. We clean them twice a week. I'm on Social Security so I can't afford a lot of vet bills. Would yogurt help him?.
N.G., Tinley Park, IL Mar 14, 2004
Answer:
Cocker spaniels, because of their abnormally large, furry, heavy ears (a human creation through generations of selective breeding), often suffer from chronic ear infections. In many cases the only relief from suffering is remedial surgery to open up the external ear canal so that the ear can "breathe." The best remedy is for breeders to change show standards and only breed cockers with smaller, less fleshy and furry ears.The following preventive steps can help many cockers with chronic ear problems, which necessitate the use of potentially harmful medications:-- Clip the fur and most of the "feathers" off the ears.-- Tie the ears up over the dog's head while indoors (most cockers get used to this) so that the ear canals can aerate.-- Douche the canals with 1 teaspoon of white vinegar in a cup of warm water every week to dry up moist infections.-- Feed your dog a natural, whole-food, ideally homemade balanced diet, and put a few drops of flaxseed oil and vitamin A in his food every day.
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