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my yellow lab gets yeast in her ears and the vet is recommending a hypo allergenic food from Science Diet that cost $50 a bag! (z/d I think it is called) ANyone know anything else we can use? That is just nuts. We have toddlers and just can't pay that much. I love her dearly and if we HAVE to pay that, we will but there has got the be something else, right?
First of all, did your vet do a thyroid test (T-3 and T-4) to rule out a thyroid problem that could be contributing to the yeast problem?
Second, you do need to feed a quality food--not a grocery store brand and not Science Diet--that has human grade ingredients. You want a high protein food with no corn, wheat, soy, gluten or yeast. Canidae, Wellness and EVO are all good.
Yes, these foods are a bit more expensive, but yeast infections are painful, and your dog is probably miserable. If allowed to progress, the infection will cause serious ear damage that may require surgical removal of the ear canal--a very expensive procedure.
For the ear infection itself, try Zymox ear drops. You can get Zymox online from many retailers much cheaper than you can buy it at a vet. It will clear up most yeast problems within two weeks and for stubborn infections you can use it on an ongoing basis to prevent the infection from recurring.
First of all, did your vet do a thyroid test (T-3 and T-4) to rule out a thyroid problem that could be contributing to the yeast problem?
Second, you do need to feed a quality food--not a grocery store brand and not Science Diet--that has human grade ingredients. You want a high protein food with no corn, wheat, soy, gluten or yeast. Canidae, Wellness and EVO are all good.
Yes, these foods are a bit more expensive, but yeast infections are painful, and your dog is probably miserable. If allowed to progress, the infection will cause serious ear damage that may require surgical removal of the ear canal--a very expensive procedure.
For the ear infection itself, try Zymox ear drops. You can get Zymox online from many retailers much cheaper than you can buy it at a vet. It will clear up most yeast problems within two weeks and for stubborn infections you can use it on an ongoing basis to prevent the infection from recurring.
No...she did not check her thyroid...we have paid $600 to the vet in the last 3 weeks for a check-up and this ear issue. I didn't know what was going on for some months...just that Bella was getting "ear wax" that had a nasty smell. I cleaned it out every other day with QTips, but it wasn't until I took her to the vet and asked about it did I know it was yeast. (I had no idea dogs could get that and I have had dogs all of my life!)
I just bought Natures Recipe. Is this okay? It says it is natural and doesn't have wheat, corn or beef...
As for cleaning...We were given a flush from the vet along with some sort of drops...well, that gave her ear blisters. So we went back to the vet and they changed the flush to Vet Solutions (whatever that is) and they gave me a cream for the blisters and some anti-itch pills.
We love her dearly and just want her to be okay. She doesn't act like the ears hurt or anything...I wouldn't have known there wasn't an issue if I hadn't taken her to the vet and if the smell weren't so bad.
Anyway, thanks for the help.
If her ears continue to ooze brown smelly gunk, please do try Zymox. I've had several dogs with intractable ear problems that wouldn't clear up with anything the vets prescribed. Then I found a holistic vet who recommended Zymox. I paid $10 for one bottle and within three weeks the dogs' ears were clear of inflammation. I get mine at VetAmerica: VetAmerica - Product Search - Criteria: Zymox
Good luck with your girl, and keep us posted on her progress.
Our Sheltie had ear/yeast/skin infections for years and when we wised up regarding dog food ingredients and upgraded last year, wow! No more ear issues, shampoos and ear drops His skin cleared up as well! (Of course we never went back to those "vets" again, either; they pushed that food on our dogs, too.)
I hope you get a refund from that "vet". Show her Internet research and ingredients in that food as well (talk about a conflict of interest for them to be pushing that food on unsuspecting clients and patients they're supposed to be HEALING). That's just wrong to push it on you. These "vets" should actually be liable for all the health issues these bad diets cause.
My own experience with dog health issues and changing my dog's diet has made me a passionate convert to homemade food (real food) for my dog. Much of what Vets are taught about nutrition at Vet school is taught by representatives of the large pet food manufacturing companies.
By feeding better quality food, you will save on veterinary expenses. If you don't want to try homemade, look for a commercial food that uses human grade ingredients, and lists a named meat for the first two ingredients. No corn, wheat or soy products. Grain ingredients should be whole grains. (I think homemade is easier, and generally cheaper).
Best of luck
My Golden (Rip) had cronic problems with yeast. My vet suggested Purina one for sensitive dogs. It is based on Salom. Purina may not be the best food in the world, but it did help my Chloe. THe Zymox is a good sugestion as is frequent washing with vinager and water. Yogert helps, And you might try Tyleson,(Spelling) it's the active ingrediant in " Angel Eyes" for tear staining in Poodles and the like. It is an antibiotic that is effective on yeast which is what most of the eye staning is from. Hope this helps.
I hope you get a refund from that "vet". Show her Internet research and ingredients in that food as well (talk about a conflict of interest for them to be pushing that food on unsuspecting clients and patients they're supposed to be HEALING). That's just wrong to push it on you. These "vets" should actually be liable for all the health issues these bad diets cause.
I second the motion on the Zymox and the link listed is about the best buy you'll find on the stuff!
I think your vet is trying to rope yet another person into buying his Science Diet crap! JMO
In saying that, any decent food will most likely run to close the cost of the SD. But in the long run, it will mean less vet bills.
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His skin cleared up as well! (Of course we never went back to those "vets" again, either; they pushed that food on our dogs, too.) 
