This may be off the wall but I heard once that the same cell that are in the anal sac are in the ear. Therefore getting the anal sacs removed could improve the ear cells and stop ear infections. It might be worth asking your vet about. 
greek,
It is interesting that you mention that, because when Betti came to me last fall she had a horrible anal gland infection and subsequently developed an ear infection. We saw her mother and she, too, suffered from ear infections and was receiving treatment.
I will have to look into that.
Betti's ear infection is back.
Cuttles -
I am going back in for the ear ointment. I don't know what else to do. First the vet treated the left ear and said it was not spreading to the right ear, but as soon as the left ear healed, the right ear was grossly infected, too.
Betti has really "thick" folds in her ears. I believed that is causing a build-up of bacteria and moisture, but our vet insisted that dogs do not get ear infections from having "big" ears. Perhaps he was overlooking my analogy and assuming I meant "big ears" like an Irish Setter or Blood Hound.
Anyway, I heard about this stuff that can be put in the ears to dry them out. This can be done after baths and swimming, etc. I want to try that, too.
I think you may be right when you say it is a condition they have "for the rest of their lives", because Betti's mother suffered from frequent ear infections, too. Now that I realize that, I am searching, too, for something to prevent us from going to the vet.
