Here are some frequently asked questions about this solution:
*Is it safe to use on my dog? Yes - as long as the ear drum is intact and there are no open sores, scratches, punctures, or wounds in the dog's ear. For example, if your dog has scratched his ears and the skin is broken, it would not be a good idea to use this solution until that wound has healed. The alcohol will sting and the boric acid could have a path to the bloodstream. Also, please be careful not to accidentally get any of the solution in your dog's eyes.
If your dog's ear drum has ruptured or been punctured, the solution should not be used. Therefore, if you suspect an ear drum problem, which are uncommon, it's best to have your vet do an examination before using this solution.
*Boric acid is used in some roach killing products. Can it poison my dog? As long as there are no sores, wounds, etc. in the ear the boric acid will not get in to the dog's system and is safe to use. Also, you don't want your dog licking or drinking, but it's safe to use in the ear. If he shakes his head and some solution gets on his coat, wipe it off so he doesn't lick it.
*In the store I've seen isopropyl alcohol that is 70% alcohol, and I've also seen some that is 90% alcohol. Which should I get? The lower the concentration of alcohol, the more diluted with water it is. Water is bad inside dog ears... so you want to get the highest alcohol concentration you can find. I've heard of 99% isopropyl alcohol, although I've never seen it in my local stores. I buy 90% isopropyl alcohol from Walmart..
*The products all say "not for internal use" yet you are asking me to insert these in my dogs ear! Are you nuts? It's like the difference between putting soap in your mouth and in your belly button. As long as the ear drum is intact, the ear canal is a sealed cavity. The ear cleaning solution goes in, it gets squished around, and then the dog shakes his head and all the ear cleaning solution comes out.
*Should I use a cotton ball, q-tip, Kleenex, etc. to clean out my dog's ear? If there is a lot of "gunk" inside the ear... yes, feel free to use something to help clean all that stuff out of there. Once you've done this for a few days in a row, you'll get all the big stuff out of there and the flushing action of the ear cleaning solution will do the rest.
*Is this only for dogs with an ear infection in progress, or can I use it to prevent an ear infection? you can use it weekly or bi-weekly to help prevent your dog from getting an ear infection. On dogs that are currently experiencing an ear infection, use it daily.
*I've been using the ear cleaning solution for several weeks, but my dog still has an ear infection. Now what? This solution has been used successfully on many dogs, but if the infection appears severe, please take your dog to a vet for treatment.
PLEASE NOTE: The boric acid is an important ingredient, so use the recipe as written. Because boric acid can be used in the manufacture of certain illegal drugs, most drug stores do not leave it just sitting out on the shelf with their other products. No prescription is required, but it is usually kept behind the counter, so you may have to ask for it. Another option, of course, is to purchase it from Amazon.
AMAZON LINK
Thanks!
*Is it safe to use on my dog? Yes - as long as the ear drum is intact and there are no open sores, scratches, punctures, or wounds in the dog's ear. For example, if your dog has scratched his ears and the skin is broken, it would not be a good idea to use this solution until that wound has healed. The alcohol will sting and the boric acid could have a path to the bloodstream. Also, please be careful not to accidentally get any of the solution in your dog's eyes.
If your dog's ear drum has ruptured or been punctured, the solution should not be used. Therefore, if you suspect an ear drum problem, which are uncommon, it's best to have your vet do an examination before using this solution.
*Boric acid is used in some roach killing products. Can it poison my dog? As long as there are no sores, wounds, etc. in the ear the boric acid will not get in to the dog's system and is safe to use. Also, you don't want your dog licking or drinking, but it's safe to use in the ear. If he shakes his head and some solution gets on his coat, wipe it off so he doesn't lick it.
*In the store I've seen isopropyl alcohol that is 70% alcohol, and I've also seen some that is 90% alcohol. Which should I get? The lower the concentration of alcohol, the more diluted with water it is. Water is bad inside dog ears... so you want to get the highest alcohol concentration you can find. I've heard of 99% isopropyl alcohol, although I've never seen it in my local stores. I buy 90% isopropyl alcohol from Walmart..
*The products all say "not for internal use" yet you are asking me to insert these in my dogs ear! Are you nuts? It's like the difference between putting soap in your mouth and in your belly button. As long as the ear drum is intact, the ear canal is a sealed cavity. The ear cleaning solution goes in, it gets squished around, and then the dog shakes his head and all the ear cleaning solution comes out.
*Should I use a cotton ball, q-tip, Kleenex, etc. to clean out my dog's ear? If there is a lot of "gunk" inside the ear... yes, feel free to use something to help clean all that stuff out of there. Once you've done this for a few days in a row, you'll get all the big stuff out of there and the flushing action of the ear cleaning solution will do the rest.
*Is this only for dogs with an ear infection in progress, or can I use it to prevent an ear infection? you can use it weekly or bi-weekly to help prevent your dog from getting an ear infection. On dogs that are currently experiencing an ear infection, use it daily.
*I've been using the ear cleaning solution for several weeks, but my dog still has an ear infection. Now what? This solution has been used successfully on many dogs, but if the infection appears severe, please take your dog to a vet for treatment.
PLEASE NOTE: The boric acid is an important ingredient, so use the recipe as written. Because boric acid can be used in the manufacture of certain illegal drugs, most drug stores do not leave it just sitting out on the shelf with their other products. No prescription is required, but it is usually kept behind the counter, so you may have to ask for it. Another option, of course, is to purchase it from Amazon.
AMAZON LINK
Thanks!