Does anyone have an idea on what to do with a dog that gets chronic ear infections that leads to constant licking of the feet? Vet bills are constant!

Patricia,
It sounds like your dog has an allergy problem. It could be a food allergy or environmental allergy or both. Has the dog done this before? At the same time of the year? What are you feeding? You might try a food change and go to a food with a protein source that your dog has never eaten before and also get a grain free diet. During the food trial the dog must not eat anything but the food, this includes treats or flavored chews or toys. Also your heartworm preventative could have beef in it or be flavored. I have recently changed to Advantage Multi which is topical. If you decide to do a food trial, it usually takes 8-12 weeks. I would continue to treat his eats as you make the food switch. If this doesn't help your dog I would consider seeing an allergy specialist. It has been money well spent for us. Good luck.
Julia

I have a yellow girl that would occasionally have an ear problem and would also lick feet. I was told to switch to lamb & rice or salmon & rice food. It works!Sometimes chicken will cause allegies in some dogs. Also I mix a solution of 1 pint alchohol, 4 tbls boric acid & 16 drops of gentian violet. Pour alcohol into bowl with spout, add boric acid & gentian violet(don't worry if you put a few extra drops to many) Mix together and pour back in alcohol bottle. Poor in ears than massage in for 1 minute. Use paper towel to clean out. Do this two times a day until paper towel comes out clean. It works great to keep ears clear. Use when needed. If your dogs swim alot which mine do, I find ponds are the worst for creating ear problems & ichy skin. You can also use this solution on hot spots when they first appear and it keeps them dry. And they will heal fast! My vet gave me the recipe. Hope this helps.....

Forgot to say shake bottle each time you use (boric acid powder will settle to the bottom).

Temaril P tablets. Expensive, but will take control of all the symptoms.
It is a long term allergy treatment.

It sounds like this dog could have a chronic yeast infection. Your best bet for getting rid of this once and for all is a holistic veterinarian. I have a dog that had chronic yeast and is totally cured now, but it took a combination of food change, Chinese herbs, Malaseb baths, and time to get her straightened out. Traditional medicine with antihistamines and/or prednisone just treats the symptoms, not the problem.