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Hear here...
 Caroline
Hair has been using this formula I've been using since she got her first Standard Poodle in
1959. It was given to her by a breeder of cocker spaniels - and she can honestly say she has
NEVER had an ear infection in one of my dogs. She have given it to others to clear up existing
infections and given us permission to reprint it on Agilitynet. It is especially good at drying
up the black gunk.
The formula
Ingredients
- 4 oz. zinc oxide powder
- 4 oz. boric acid powder
- 1/2 oz. Iodoform powder
Mix well. Keep in a sealed jar in a cool dry place.
Instructions on use
Place a large pinch of powder in each ear, and
use your finger to work it down. Wait five or ten minutes (I cut toenails) then pluck the hair
out of the ears, being sure to get all the way down. Allow the dog to shake, but leave
the excess powder in the ears. Repeat monthly.
Treatment of an existing infection
Use as described for maintenance, then apply a
fresh pinch of powder to each ear. Wait twenty-four hours, then use a dry q-tip to remove
all the powder and the balls of dried gunk. Put a fresh pinch of powder in each
ear. Repeat daily until the ears are no longer runny. At this point, repeat every other day,
until there is no more runniness, then three times a week, then twice, then weekly, then every
other week, etc. When the ears remain dry for three weeks, go to the monthly maintenance
routine.
How it works
The reason this works so well is that the iodoform powder kills anaerobic bacteria
and fungi which flourish in warm, moist, airless places, like the inside of a poodle's
ear. The zinc oxide and boric acid keep the ear dry, which prevents further infections. In the
days before antibiotics, Iodoform was frequently used in human medicine to pack puncture
wounds where anaerobic bacteria also grow. It may be hard to find because it isn't used much
any more.
Photo: Jensen from Battersea Dogs Home, since re-homed.
Feedback
From Bud Velat
Excellent article. However, is the IODOFORM in the formula harmful if swallowed by the dog?
I was informed that it could be used in between their toes for mites but my questions is that
if they then lick their paws, is there anything harmful to them if some of the powder is
ingested? Anxiously awaiting your reply. (19/11/02)
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