Dog shaking head a lot - possible ear infection

[BookGoddess]

My floppy eared dog is shaking her head more often than usual. I think when I gave her a bath last week I must have gotten some water in her ear. She used to have ear infections in the past when water got trapped in her ears. We've been careful to avoid her ears when we bathe her, but last week I was trying to get her face clean and I think she got more water than usual in her ears. I turned the ears inside out after the bath so they would dry, but I guess that wasn't enough.

I won't be able to see the vet until next Friday at the earliest.

Is there something I can do in the meantime to help her? Is there something over the counter or natural that I could use? The ear looks reddish and moist. It's also one ear that's like this, not both.

She's eating and acting normally.

[Chamomile Girl]

nak

infuse some olive oil with garlic and put it into the ear. Works well.

[BookGoddess]

Thanks. We have both those at home. When you say "infuse"..er exactly how do I do that?
How long do I keep the garlic in the oil? Do I need to crush it or cut it first?

[stardogs]

I've heard VERY good things about the Blue Power ear wash here: http://www.itsfortheanimals.com/BLUE.HTM - be aware that the wash does stain so make sure you don't mind your dog's ear being purple for a bit and that you do it somewhere easily cleaned.

[BookGoddess]

Thanks! I'll look into it and I also googled garlic infusion as well.

[plantnerd]

If it's yeasties you could try a dilute white vinegar solution- 1 part vinegar to 3 parts warm water. Use it to clean the ear with cotton balls.

[BookGoddess]

I think it might be yeast and not a bacterial infection. I've tried the vinegar remedy. I think it's helping.

[Mom2M]

We use this when our dogs start shaking their heads or pawing at their ears.http://www.amazon.com/Bio-Groom-Ear-.../dp/B0002ASSY8
Usually I pour some into his ear and keep him lying down for a few minutes so it soaks in, then I put it on a cotton ball and really wipe out every single crevice.
It works well and they don't mind it.

[babygirlie]

cold hair dryer?