"Purple Stuff" Canine Ear Cleaner

By: Courtney Patach

I have an American Bulldog with super sensitive ears that react to his food allergies! I can ALWAYS tells when he gets a hold of something that he is allergic to. You physically see his ears start to droop, his head starts to tilt, and the uncontrollable itching and scratching at his ears begins.

After numerous ear infections, several vet visits with rather large bills, countless medications, and all sorts of foods I felt as if I was at my wit’s end. It seemed we tried it all and were failing miserably; we’d even discussed ear docking as a medical necessity. However, the tables have turned and we seem to have found a happy balance with his current food (Nutrisca – Salmon & Chickpea formula) and the “Purple Stuff” ear cleaner regimen.

Ingredients:

    16 oz. Witch Hazel
    4 Tablespoons Boric Acid Powder
    16 Drops Gentian Violet Solution 1%

It was a little difficult to mix everything together in the Witch Hazel bottle, like I was told. So, I just mixed everything in a large bowl and funneled the mixture back into the Witch Hazel bottle. You’ll also need to shake the solution every time before you use it!

To easily squirt solution into affected ear canals, you’ll want to purchase a bottle with a small tip.

TREATMENT: Evaluate condition of ears before treating and if very inflamed or sore do not attempt to pull hair or clean out ear at all. Wait until inflammation has subsided which will be about 2 days. Remember to shake the bottle each time before using. Flood the ear with solution (gently squirt bottle), massage gently to the count of 30, wipe with a cotton ball. Flood again on first treatment, wipe with a cotton ball, and leave alone without massage. The dog will shake out the excess, which can be wiped with a tissue. The Gentian Violet DOES stain fabrics!

SCHEDULE:

    Treat 2 x per day for the first week to two weeks depending upon severity of ears.
    Treat 1 x per day for the next 1-2 weeks.
    Treat 1 x per month to maintain (or even less frequently, depending on the dog).

All of these ingredients should be available at your local pharmacy. If the dog is okay with having his/her ears touched and cleaned, the dog should not object to this treatment. The Boric Acid Powder soothes the ears and the Gentian Violet Solution is an anti infection agent.

You should start to see a noticeable difference in a short time. I noticed a difference in the inflammation, head tilting/scratching reduced, and the overall attitude of my puppy seemed to drastically improve within the first week alone!

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