Anyone know how to get Otomax for dog ear infections?

[HamdenRice]

My Golden was diagnosed with an ear infection about 2 years ago. He prescribed Otomax, which cleared it up. The vet said that because of his floppy ears, however, it was likely to recur, and was common and recurrent in Goldens. He said if it recurs, just redose with Otomax.

I called and asked for the prescription, and the receptionist said that because the dog hasn't had a check up over a year, they couldn't prescribe Otomax without a checkup -- which means without about a $100++ additional cost. (His shots are up to date.)

I realize there's a recession on, but this seems to me excessive as a way for a vet to drum up business. I just want a $20 bottle of Otomax ear drops.

Has anyone had any luck getting this stuff? I heard there are mail order places in Canada, but that in the U.S., there is no way to get it without going through a vet.

Any ideas?

[China_cat]

1. There's an otc that has all the same ingredients

But here's a link to a place to get it without a prescription.

http://med4.com/drugs/55/order-otomax-without-prescription.html

[HamdenRice]

2. Thanks! Can you tell me what the OCT medication is? nt

[China_cat]

3. I thought we still had some but don't

and I don't remember the name. Sorry. We had a dog whose earflaps were so tight to his head that he kept a horrible ear infection for years. At first just intermittent but the last 4 or 5 years of his life it was constant. We used to order the cleaner online, same ingredients as the Otomax but it was about $25 for -2- bottles. We had to clean his ear every day and he was on cipro and prednisone for the last 3 years of his life just to keep it to a level where he would be comfortable. He lived to the age of 14, which is pretty good for a large dog (briard/beardie cross).

Some tips, from having lived with this for years. Find a way to pin the dog's ears up so the canals can air at least an hour a day. Shave the hair off his ears and behind and under. You don't have to go too far but getting rid of the hair around the ear will also help with air flow and that helps keep the infection under control. Don't let your vet keep giving you the same antibiotics for it. Ask him to change them. Even dogs build up a tolerance. (And some vets get so fixated on one med for a problem that they don't see that another might just work better.) Whatever you do, don't slack off on the cleaning regimen.

Good luck. I know how frustrating this can be.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

4. I googled Otomax and found that

clotrimazole is the main ingredient in Otomax. Lookes like it is an ingredient in various OTC fungicides - yeast infections, jck itch, etc.

I also found this site which lists a home made ear cleaning preparation which may be of interest to you


http://www.zimfamilycockers.com/EarCleaner.html

[MadMaddie]

5. I have a Visla/Pit mix and he has floppy ears and has constant

ear infections. We use Otomax also, we also have been prescribed an ear rinse called Alcetic Ear Rinse 4oz. The rinse allows you to squirt it into the ear let him shake his ears to get some of the gunk out and then use the Otomax. Use soft cloths to wipe the gunk out.I also use very long qtips, I have been using them for a long time so if you do be careful not to go to deep in the ear. I only clean what I can see.

To reduce the number of ear infections you may want to look at what you are feeding your dog.

If you have been feeding your dog a certain type of protein (Chicken, Turkey, Beef) you may want to change his diet. It is possible that he has developed an allergy to the protein.

If you feed your dog certain types of flour you dog may have allergies to that also.

We feed our dogs Trout and Sweet Potatoe kibbles and it has helped a great deal. For treats if we can't find biscuits that are appropriate we feed him dog food kibble's as treats.


Good Luck!

[Holly_Hobby]

6. I use Zymox for ears

It's over-the-counter, but it WORKS. It's enzyme based, with cortisone for fast healing. It's also available without the cortisone.

I used this ONCE on my Cocker after years of treating his ears, and he never had another ear problem. I also used it on a Sheltie rescue that had severe black wax, and it all came out, never to return. It IS messy, though, so try to cover the dog's head with a towel while he shakes it out. Your dog's ears will need to be washed with a mild soap when the treatment is done, it's oily.

And I agree with the poster above to reconsider what you're feeding.

Zymox - 1.25 oz - Otic Enzymatic Solution

Aids in the treatment of acute and chronic otits externa due to bacterial and yeast infections. Contains 3 active enzymes that have been shown to be antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral.

Ingredients include natural enzymes, lysozym, lactoferrin, lactoperoxidase with 1.0% hydrocortisone.

Directions:

Apply liberally to fill ear canal. Gently massage and work into infected area. Wipe to remove excess. Treat once a days for 7 days, 14 days for chronic infections. Do not use in conjunction with other topical ear medications or ear cleaners.

Product Number: 50420

Price: $12.95

http://www.kvvet.com/KVVet/productr.asp?pf%5Fid=50420&gift=False&HSLB=False&mscssid=0089F21F519CB94C2C94EF1EB69AE68B

P.S. - Read the reviews on Amazon on Zymox ear products. It's effective for nearly everyone who's tried it:

http://www.amazon.com/review/product/B0002XIYXA/ref=cm_cr_dp_all_helpful?%5Fencoding=UTF8&coliid=&showViewpoints=1&colid=&sortBy=bySubmissionDateDescending

[HamdenRice]

7. Holy Cow! Thanks to everyone!

Thanks especially for the alternatives to otomax. After looking at the home remedies, I noticed that several remedies include vinegar, and saw several testimonies about how it worked. The remedy that included alcohol seemed a little extreme. A doctor friend of mine always says, start with the least agressive treatment.

One home remedy was vinegar and water. I tried it, twice a day for three days. Before that, I clipped all the fur that seemed to prevent air circulation. I cleared out the gunk and the redness has decreased dramatically. The smell is gone also, and the dog has stopped shaking his head and scratching.

I'm amazed that this simple remedy seems to be working. My vet had said that my ear wash was good because it was acidic and that yeast doesn't do well in an acidic environment. It seems that vinegar is a great, low impact, non-agressive first step, quite a bit more acidic than commercial ear wash.

Thanks everyone for your advice and I'll keep you all posted.

[CountAllVotes]

8. you can buy it online here:

http://www.1800petmeds.com/Otomax-prod10108.html

[HamdenRice]

9. I don't think so

I tried 1800petmeds by phone a few months ago. They said they need a prescription from the vet -- which seems like a kind of silly business model, because in most circumstances, if I were going to the vet, I'd just get the meds from him.

Their model is that you go to your vet, get the prescription from him (for the drug that your vet obviously wants to sell you directly himself), fax the prescrption to petmeds, and then get the stuff in the mail.

[CountAllVotes]

10. I've used it before

it was for tapeworms. I did not require an RX from the vet however. Sorry for any confusion created.