How do you keep your spaniel/spaniel crosses from getting ear infections from swimming in water? Health

I need help if you will,

Louie fell into a frozen lake a couple of weeks ago - he is fine, no harm done - just a hurt ego on my part as I thought his recall was up to standard anyway he has an ear infection now - one that has took a couple of weeks to brew up.

So my question is - as I would like to get him into water retrieving or just for fun when we go for a long walk near the lakes (when they aren't frozen!)..how do you keep your spaniel/spaniel crosses from getting ear infections from swimming in water?

I know one answer (keep them out) but he is part lab too - so it's in him to swim..

Thanks

Why are you assuming that his dip and the ear infection are linked?

My Lab swims often in vile cold water and has never had an ear infection, I would not assume a link at all ... ear troubles that I have experienced with my dogs tend to be food allergy related ...

I have had 4 weimaraners which have floppy ears and all of whom swim regularly in lakes etc and none of them have had ear infections since 1993, neither has my GSD who is the Mark Spitz of the local lakes!

So it might not be anything to do with the water.

The vet said it could be that water had got deep into the canal despite me drying him off with the towel I took with me..

It's the only thing I could think of that's caused it. He hadn't been near water since.

It wasn't a food allergy as it's started way after I've changed his food - although if it continues - I will change his food back. I mentioned it to the vet and he said by the state of his ears it was more likely the water that's caused it - but he's back at the vets in a week or two if the drops don't work so I will ask again about the food...

Misty, springer cocker x, and Gracie, springer, swim all the time and I've never had an issue. Gracie avoids swimming if she can, she generally likes to be clean and dry, but Misty dives in headfirst!

Not really very helpful, but it might just be a coincidence that he got an ear infection so close to swimming in the water. His ear infection may have been caused by something else?

Probably not of great help here either but my spaniel actually swims underwater to retrieve things and is always in water whether it's clean or mucky and she's never had issues with her ears as a result. The only time she has had an infection was due to mites but if it was that in your case it would have been obvious I would think. I am sure somebody with more expertise will come along and give you something to work with. I hope his ears clear up soon.

I wouldn't get too hung up on the Spaniel thing here - nor would I attribute it to his 'dip' in the lake.

My Springers have probably had more ear issues than the other dogs I've had but the same general rule applies in terms of how to prevent issues (keep them clean) and of course how to treat should a problem arise.

Firstly ensure all the hair inside the ear is trimmed short to allow the air to circulate well and secondly always make sure the ears are well dried after a swim.

My last Springer used to go diving and her ears were fine until middle age when the infections got so bad in her ears she went permanently deaf.

It's not necessarily always breed related, my current Springer has no problems with her ears, but the Wire Vizsla only has to swim a couple of times befoe he needs his ears seeing to.

Thanks for the replies, I didn't mean to say it was the springer in him - but that's where his ears come from lol.

I'll keep an eye out on it, I have just changed his food over so it could be that but that was a couple of weeks before the icy lake incident where he went in head first - so when I told all this to the vet he said it could be that some of the water had gotten right down into his ear and I missed it when I dried them, as Benjie went in also (although I am not sure his ears went under the water or his head for that matter) I will keep an eye out on Benjie and if he doesn't develop anything and Louie's infection continues, then I will have to change his food again.

The Canaural is working well though - his ears are a lot less angrier and he isn't shaking them as often as he was. So unless the infection comes back -for now I think it's the water, as he has only ever been in the sea (paddling though) and once in other fresh water (without salt)

But thank you - I will take the tips and add them to my weekly/monthly list of health checks (yes I have one for the dogs)

My cocker and my collie x springer both swim in water that is v dirty and never get infections. I trim the hair in their ears so they don't get too hot to help prevent a breeding ground. Dont know if this is the reason but neither of them have had infections and they are three and four.
ATD x

my springers swim in water but never have ear infetions and my weim cross springer hates water!!

I've never had an infection with my lot neither and Jessie is a real water baby. They do tend to only swim in fairly clean water (there are some crystal clear lakes round here) but thats just a preference of mine.

It's something i've never given a thought to TBH.

Maybe I just have the odd dog that gets ill - great!

I do think it's just a one off - he was always in the sea as a pup (12 weeks) and he did go swimming in Rother Valley at 5 months - don't think he got his ears wet.

I don't think it's his food as most of the ingredients are basically the same as his old one - it's just a different name.

Maybe I just have to clean his ears weekly/fortnightly as a precaution...

Thanks guys

Yeh, i'd agree its unlikely to be due to the dip in the lake- my collie dives in head first, completely submerging herself- she has never had a problem.

If it reoccurs i would look into his change of diet.

Yup - thats the plan, although these drops seem to have cleared it up - that and not going out until midday when the temperatures a little warmer and the rest of the time it's toilet on the garden and some playing and training.

I explained all this to the vet and he said I could've missed some water that had gotten right down into his ear canal and with the wind - thats how it could've happened but I dunno - maybe it's just a one off

Thanks everyone. Will keep you posted.