Finally cracked the code on Biscuit's recurring ear infections (8 months later)

OK so this is kind of a long one but hopefully useful to other beagle or floppy-eared dog people. Biscuit had his 5th ear infection in 8 months and i was basically resigned to just living at the vet. Every time: Otomax, two weeks of cleaning, cleared up, then 6 weeks later we were back. I spent probably $900 on ear infections alone this year.

The breakthrough was when our vet finally referred us to a veterinary dermatologist. Turns out Biscuit has a food sensitivity to chicken - which is in almost every food and treat we were giving him. The infections were a symptom, not the actual problem. We switched him to a hydrolyzed protein food (its expensive, ugh) and its been 14 weeks with zero ear issues. i honestly cried a little when we hit week 10.

If your dog keeps getting the same infection over and over ask about an underlying allergy consult before just doing another round of meds. We wasted so much money treating symptoms.