Anonymous
Post 07/21/2022 12:46     Subject: my dog's ears...
Our lab has allergy-related itchy ears. Apoquel helps a ton. When we’re on periodic breaks from the apoquel, we use OTC drops called Zymox that help. And like others, we feed Purina Pro Plan sensitive skin and stomach salmon based kibble.
Anonymous
Post 07/21/2022 12:25     Subject: my dog's ears...
We changed food. Tried the expensive Rx dog foods and she wouldn't eat them. Switched to Stella & Chewy's (no chicken) + Cytopoint shots as infrequently as possible. At first Cytopoint was every month. Now I am able to spread them out more before she starts itching.

Also, added PurinaFlora??? probiotics every morning and basically we have gone from a dog who was constantly in the ER to one who only goes for regular stuff and cytopoint shots.
Anonymous
Post 07/21/2022 12:10     Subject: my dog's ears...
Anonymous wrote:What the PP said. Have you tried changing his food? If you are feeding a chicken based food, that could be the issue. Try salmon and rice, or something non-poultry and see if the issue continues. Poor baby.


I have a Havanese who had terrible, repeat ear infections until we got him off of chicken based food. He eats Purina One Sensitive System which is salmon based. He can have the occasional treat with chicken or even a bit of chicken from the table but his food can not have it.
Anonymous
Post 07/20/2022 23:37     Subject: my dog's ears...
Anonymous wrote:Change his food.


Yup
Anonymous
Post 07/20/2022 22:47     Subject: my dog's ears...
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Also spray his ears with rubbing alcohol. He will hate that but it will kill mites if he has any.


Don't do this! I'm sure the vet has already tested for mites.

There are so many dog foods geared towards dogs with allergies that you can try. Purina Pro Plan Sensitive Skin and Stomach Salmon formula has been working well for our dog. Also try giving him a probiotic. The biome in his ears is all out of whack because of all of the antibiotics he has been on and he'll keep getting infections until things are back in balance.

These also seemed to help our dog. https://www.amazon.com/Zesty-Paws-Dog-Allergy-Relief/dp/B071WCV19B?th=1


we have a rescue who had ear infections off and on for the first 2 years we had him. i suspected it was from
getting water in his ears when grooming. even so, switched to this same
food and probiotic. he still gets sniffly when pollen is high, but no ear infections this year.


Be careful with the purina dog food. We were using the same stuff and the last bag we bought was infested with MOTHS! Son googled it and apparently it’s a known issue with purina dog foods. We had to throw all of our dog food away and tear up our pantry cleaning to make sure we didn’t get moths. We switched to that zignature brand that someone else mentioned.
Anonymous
Post 07/20/2022 14:36     Subject: my dog's ears...
Anonymous wrote:My dog is on Cytopoint every 4 weeks. From late April through late July, she's also on Apoquel -a serious flare up always happens around then.

I also changed her diet and ultimately ended up with a prescription diet. It's pricey but her allergic reactions are much minimized now (not gone, though - June always seems especially bad).

She also needs monthly anal gland expressions, probably due to scarred and thickened walls caused by a severe infection back when all this started and we hadn't figured out how to get all this under control.


Our GSD was also on monthly Cytopoint and daily Apoquel for the last year. Recently she was diagnosed with doggy lupus so she's now on a couple of new meds to replace the Apoquel (still getting shots though.) She sees the dermatologist in a couple of weeks again to check how things are going, fingers crossed. We have been battling yeast or bacterial overgrowth for many years. The prescription diet didn't do much for us but she is on premium kibble and canned food - no chicken.
Anonymous
Post 07/20/2022 14:35     Subject: my dog's ears...
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here, thank you. He does eat all chicken-based foods. He also has had constipation and anal gland issues, which now that I'm googling it seems could also be related -- the vet just wants to squeeze the glands and was very vague about *why* it could be happening. I have pretty much solved the consipation and glands issue through supplements, but if changing food could just solve those AND his ear discomfort that would be amazing.

I think I'll try slowly switching him over to another protein and see if it makes a difference.


Nulo Limited Ingredient and Zignature are both good brands that do not use any chicken. GSDs are prone to food allergies/sensitivities and tummy issues(sounds like you have that part under control) so you have to be pretty selective when it comes to what they eat. Stick to single protein foods and treats and definitely avoid the chicken.


Also, try a holistic vet. Their first suggestion would’ve most likely been to switch the food.