My Yorkie/Bichon has stinky ears! Infection?!
 

My yorkie/bichon's ears smelled the day we got him from the breeder. But I shrugged it off because honestly, he is from Pennsylvania Amish country and had spent most of his time in a barn smelling like...well...a barn. I've had him for a little over and month and within the last week, his ears have been smelling kinda sour and definitely smelled worse than when I had gotten him. He has always kinda pawed his face with both front paws, starting from the back of the ears down to his nose but recently it seemed to be getting more directed towards his ears. I read that this could be a yeast infection in his ears since ears aren't really supposed to smell like anything... so I've started to treat him with the home remedy of 1/3 vinegar and 2/3 alcohol. I've been taking a cotton ball and cleaning his ears. I've only done it twice today and I plan on taking him to the vet if he doesn't seem to improve in the next couple of days because if it bacterial and he needs antibiotics, I want him to get on them asap...He's almost 19 weeks old now and I don't want this affecting his hearing for the rest of his life...that would just be miserable for the little guy. Anyone here have any insight on this? Any information would help since avoiding a vet bill would be nice if I'm just overreacting.

Please take your baby to the vet to prevent permanent damage. Sounds very much like an ear infection. If not treated properly, the problem could wind up costing you far more time and money, and your pup even more misery, than if you take care of it now.

Your pup should have a general wellness exam at this time anyway. Is he up to date on vaccinations?

I agree with Maximo, sounds like it's time for a vet check. Your baby is trying to communicate with you, and smells are one way animals communicate. If something smells off, it's time to investigate. The pawing is another indication. I would not home treat, since you say you got him from a place that wasn't all that great, he might have ear mites that could lead to another infection. At the first sign of funky smell, get thy to a vet! You are definitely NOT overreacting, it's so hard to know when we are overreacting, and when we aren't, and in this way Yorkietalk can be so useful, but when in doubt, "overreact." It's better to be "too protective," than not protective enough. :)

The thing is I took him to the vet for the normal exam a week after I got him (10-21-10). And about a week and a half ago (11-8-10), I had to take him in because he was vomiting and had diarrhea. Both times he was there the vet had looked at his ears and said nothing. He is up to date with all of his vaccinations.

My yorkie had the same problem when I got her 2 years ago. Her ears smelled terrible I took her to the vet and she said it was an ear fungus and gave me Zymox-E drops. They work like a charm no more itchy stinky ears. Hope this helps good luck and congrat's on your new Yorkie.

Glad to hear that he has seen a vet for general exam and vaccs. Sorry that the ears will require another trip. I would emphasize for the vet all of the symptoms you have described here and make sure the vet looks into the ear canal with a scope. As Nancy pointed out, it could be mites too. I don't know if they are more difficult to diagnose.

I hope he grows out of this patch of frequent vet visits :( it's frustrating that he keeps needing to go back there.

Ask the vet to swab his ears and do a culture.

If he is from the Pennsylvania/Amish puppy mills, you may have a lot of vet visits in your future. :(