Ear Infections in Dogs: Signs, Treatment and Safe Cleaning
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By Dr Duncan Houston
A sore, smelly ear can make an otherwise cheerful dog miserable. Reaching for last month's drops may seem sensible, but the problem inside the canal can be different this time.
The important questions are whether the eardrum is intact, what is growing in the ear and why inflammation developed in the first place.
Quick Answer
Dog ear infections commonly cause head shaking, scratching, discharge, odour and pain. Yeast or bacteria often multiply after another problem, such as allergy, irritates the ear. Arrange a veterinary examination before using drops or flushing a painful ear; a head tilt, loss of balance or marked illness needs urgent assessment.
Why do ear infections keep happening?
Otitis externa means inflammation of the outer ear canal. Infection can be part of that inflammation, but it is not the only possible cause. Allergies, parasites, trapped foreign material and less commonly growths can start the problem. Moisture, canal shape and chronic tissue changes can make it harder to resolve.
The pattern matters. Sudden trouble in one ear after a grassy walk raises concern for a grass seed. Repeated problems in both ears, especially with itchy paws or skin, make underlying allergy more relevant. Neither pattern provides a diagnosis on its own.
The Merck Veterinary Manual's otitis guidance explains why long-term control requires identifying the causes and factors maintaining inflammation.
What does an infected ear look like?
You may notice redness, a wet or waxy discharge, a strong smell, scratching or reluctance to have the head touched. Dark debris does not automatically mean mites, and discharge colour cannot reliably tell you which medicine is needed.
| Signs | Action |
|---|---|
| Mild new scratching or redness without obvious pain | Contact your vet and arrange an examination, especially if it persists or recurs. |
| Discharge, strong odour, repeated shaking or pain | Call today for assessment. Do not wait for the ear to become swollen shut. |
| Severe pain, head tilt, falling, circling or unusual eye movements | Seek urgent veterinary care today; use an emergency service if severe or your clinic is unavailable. |
When is this an emergency?
Go to an emergency clinic if your dog cannot stand, repeatedly falls, has severe uncontrolled pain, collapses or develops other neurological signs. These changes may involve the middle or inner ear, although other neurological conditions can look similar.
Keep your dog away from stairs while arranging transport. Do not put anything into the canal. A suddenly swollen ear flap also needs prompt examination because shaking and scratching can cause a blood-filled swelling.
How will the vet diagnose it?
Your vet examines the ear and, where possible, the canal and eardrum with an otoscope. A sample examined under the microscope helps identify yeast, bacteria and inflammatory cells. Culture may be useful in selected persistent or complicated infections.
If the canal is too painful or blocked to examine, pain control, sedation or anaesthesia may be needed. The Merck owner guidance on ear infections describes why examination, cleaning and treatment need to be matched to the individual ear.
What treatment works?
Treatment may combine anti-inflammatory medication with an antifungal or antibiotic selected for the findings. Not every ear needs all three, and oral antibiotics are not automatically required. Foreign material must be removed and underlying allergy or chronic canal disease addressed.
Follow the exact schedule and return for the recommended recheck. Less smell or scratching does not necessarily mean the infection has cleared. Worsening pain or new balance changes during treatment need prompt advice.
Should you clean the ear at home?
Only clean when your vet has recommended a suitable product and schedule. Eardrum damage can make some preparations unsafe. A severely painful ear may need cleaning at the clinic, and some long-acting treatments require avoiding home cleaning for a specified period.
If cleaning is prescribed, have the team demonstrate the amount and technique. Usually this involves applying the recommended solution, gently massaging the ear base, allowing a shake and wiping only accessible debris. Merck's ear-cleaning instructions warn against pushing material deeper into the canal.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using leftover or human ear drops before examination.
- Putting cotton buds, tweezers or other tools into the canal.
- Using peroxide, alcohol, vinegar or oils as home remedies.
- Continuing cleaning despite significant pain.
- Stopping medication or skipping the recheck because the smell has improved.
How can recurrence be reduced?
Follow an individual cleaning plan, keep water out during active treatment and discuss swimming once the ear has healed. Manage diagnosed allergies consistently and check ears during calm handling. Healthy ears do not need aggressive routine cleaning or automatic hair plucking.
Frequently asked questions
Are dog ear infections contagious?
Most are not passed directly between dogs, but ear mites can spread. Testing helps distinguish the cause.
Can I identify yeast by the smell?
No. Odour and discharge overlap between conditions; microscopic examination is more useful.
Why does my dog keep getting the same infection?
The underlying trigger may persist, the previous infection may not have resolved, or chronic canal changes may be involved. A recheck is more useful than repeatedly changing drops.
Should I clean every day?
Only if prescribed. The right frequency depends on the ear, cleaner and medication being used.
Relieving the current pain matters, but preventing another episode means understanding the cause. Get the ear examined before choosing what to put in it.
For help understanding ear-care instructions and planning follow-up questions, visit ASK A VET™. Severe pain or balance problems need direct veterinary assessment.
