I don't use it, but my friend Deb swears by apple cider vinegar. She uses it to clean her dogs' ears, as well as a lot of other things. I don't think she flushes them with it, but just to wipe them out. Here is an article from Beagle Bay about the Benefits of Apple Cider Vineger.
Apple Cider Vinegar contains cholesterol-reducing pectin and the perfect
balance of 19 minerals, including potassium, phosphorus, chlorine, sodium,
magnesium, calcium, sulfur, iron, fluorine and silicon. Among their vitamins
are: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6,
Provitamin beta-carotene, Vitamin P (bioflavonoids).
In fact, apple cider vinegar contains 93 different components that can help
your body.
Apple cider vinegar is a high-potassium electrolyte balancer; it
re-mineralizes the body and normalizes the blood's acid alkaline balance. It
is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal boosting the immune system. Because of its
ability of breaking down calcium deposits in the joints while
re-mineralizing the bones it is helpful in arthritis and hip dysplasia. It
is a great remedy for digestive problems, urinary tract and kidney
infections and even helps lower blood pressure! Apple cider vinegar has been
known to be an effective detoxifier for obesity and excess mucous.
The following portion is from From Wendy Vollhard:
Apples are nature's mineral gift and contain potassium, phosphorus,
chlorine, sodium, magnesium, calcium, sulfur, iron, fluorine, silicon plus
many trace minerals. When made into cider, the concentration of minerals is
higher and the benefits increase. Every dog home should have apple cider
vinegar. It is one of those items that does almost everything. If your dog
has itchy skin, the beginnings of a hot spot, incessantly washes its feet,
has smelly ears, or is picky about his food, the application of ACV may change things around.
For poor appetite, use it in the food - 1 tablespoon, two times a day for a
50 lb. dog. For itchy skin or beginning hot spots, put ACV into a spray
bottle, part the hair and spray on. Any skin eruption will dry up in 24
hours and will save you having to shave the dog. If the skin is already
broken, dilute ACV with an equal amount of water and spray on. Taken
internally, ACV is credited with maintaining the acid/alkaline balance of
the digestive tract. To check your dog's pH balance, pick up some pH strips
at the drug store, and first thing in the morning test the dog's urine. If
it reads anywhere from 6.2 - 6.5, your dog's system is exactly where it
should be. If it is 7.5 or higher, the diet you are feeding is too alkaline,
and ACV will re-establish the correct balance. If you have a dog that has
clear, watery discharge from the eyes, a runny nose, or coughs with a liquid
sound, use ACV in his or her food. One teaspoon twice a day for a 50 lb. dog
will do the job. After your weekly grooming sessions, use a few drops in his
or her ears after cleaning them to avoid ear infections.
Other uses for ACV are the prevention of muscle weakness, cramps, feeling
the cold, calluses on elbows and hock joints, constipation, bruising too
easily, pimples on skin surfaces, twitching of facial muscles, sore joints, arthritis and pus in the urine. There are also reports that it
is useful in the prevention of bladder and kidney stones. Fleas, flies,
ticks and bacteria, external parasites, ring worm, fungus, staphylococcus,
streptococcus, pneumococcus, mange, etc., are unlikely to inhabit a dog
whose system is acidic inside and out. Should you ever experience any of
these with your dog, bathe with a nice gentle herbal shampoo -- one that you
would use on your own hair -- rinse thoroughly, and then sponge on ACV
diluted with equal amounts of warm water. Allow your dog to drip dry. It is
not necessary to use harsh chemicals for minor flea infestations. All fleas
drown in soapy water and the ACV rinse makes the skin too acidic for a re-infestation. If you are worried about picking up fleas when you take your dog away from home, keep some ACV in a spray bottle, and spray your dog before you leave home, and when you get back.
Take some with you and keep it in the car, just in case you need it any
time. Obviously for major infestations, more drastic measures are necessary.
ACV normalizes the pH levels of the skin, makes your dog unpalatable to even
the nastiest of bacteria and you have a dog that smells like a salad, a
small price to pay!
