The really sad thing is people generally don't know their bacteria from their fungus...
They are 2 different things that need 2 different treatments! I'll say that again as it needs to be understood.
Bacterial and Yeast infections are different! I've had letters from people saying that the only way to treat a yeast infection is through antibiotics.
This is fundamentally wrong.
Antibiotics kill bad (and good) bacteria.
They do not kill yeast.
For this you need an antifungal.
For any women reading this whose been unfortunate to have had a yeast infection you will have noticed you got a cream, specifically an antifungal like Canisten.
You do not get given antibiotics.
Why, because it won't fix the problem.
Regarding the apple cider vinegar solutions, yoghurt, garlic etc,etc.
(solutions I've used with success), they are all anti-yeast.
If your pet has a dog ear infection vinegar kills yeast spores on contact, which incidentally is what you want to do.
I was told by my vet to go down this route because of the pro-longed use of antibiotics (that didn't work) which were killing my dog.
My new vet told me that although he had a dog ear infection it was being treated all wrong.
In fact, you will often be prescribed an expensive set of ear drops by your vet.
This is almost the same as the apple cider solution I recommend, it's just the price that's different! Having gone down this route and almost lost my dogs to antibiotics I can't help but point out the medical benefits of some of the natural remedies.
It can take time but neither of mine has had a dog ear infection for nearly 3 years.
That's pretty conclusive, more so because before this they had them every 2 months and antibiotics almost every time.
If the yeast infection gets very bad and is left untreated it can become a secondary bacterial infection.
Now antibiotics are not just good, they are essential.
Sadly people group all dog ear infections under the same banner and use the same treatment.
This isn't just bad for your dog but your wallet.
The problem wrongly treated, returns time after time and you spend more...
and the poor dog suffers.
Also remember that no two dogs are the same.
what works for one may not for the next dog.
When you look at a Chihuahua and a Great Dane, then realise they all came from a wolf, it's not hard to see how humankind has been playing with and altering dogs genes for a millennia.
Add to that the fact that we, by and large feed our dogs mass produced "food" it's no wonder they suffer from so many problem.
It's therefore our duties to keep an open mind on what to do with our dogs and stop just blindly following the advise of someone that you probably don't even know.
Closed minds are dangerous minds especially for a dog with an ear infection.