Ear Infections In Dogs

Otitis Externa: When Your Dog’s Ears Need Attention

Ear infections, or otitis externa, are extremely common in dogs. They can be caused by bacteria, yeast, allergies, parasites, moisture, foreign material, or a combination of these problems. While an occasional dirty ear may simply need cleaning, an ear that is red, painful, smelly, or producing discharge needs veterinary attention.

How Can You Tell Your Dog Has an Ear Infection?

Common signs include:

* Frequent head shaking

* Scratching at the ears

* Redness or swelling

* A bad odor

* Brown, yellow, or black discharge

* Pain when the ears are touched

* Holding the head tilted or differently

* Rubbing the ears on furniture or the floor

One important point: you cannot always determine the cause of an ear infection just by looking at the ear. Yeast, bacteria, parasites, allergies, and other conditions can look very similar. Examining the ear and evaluating a sample of the discharge under the microscope can help determine the appropriate treatment.

Proper Ear Cleaning Matters

For dogs prone to ear problems, regular cleaning may be helpful—but over-cleaning can actually irritate the ear canal and make things worse.

Use a veterinarian-recommended ear cleaner and follow the directions provided. Place the appropriate amount into the ear canal, gently massage the base of the ear, and allow your dog to shake. Then wipe away loosened debris from the portions of the ear you can safely reach with cotton balls or gauze.

Never insert cotton swabs deep into the ear canal. They can push debris farther down the canal or potentially cause injury.

And remember: if the ear is painful, severely inflamed, or you suspect a ruptured eardrum, your veterinarian should examine the ear before you put anything into it.

What Happens When Ear Infections Are Left Untreated?

Chronic or severe ear infections can lead to significant complications.

One common complication is an aural hematoma. This occurs when blood vessels in the ear flap rupture, often from vigorous head shaking or scratching. The ear flap can become swollen and feel like it contains a fluid-filled pocket. Aural hematomas can be painful and often require veterinary treatment.

Chronic inflammation can also cause the ear canal to become thickened and stenotic (narrowed). In severe cases, the canal can become so narrowed that medications and cleaners cannot adequately reach the affected areas. Long-standing inflammation can lead to permanent changes and, in some cases, surgery may ultimately be necessary.

Don’t Ignore Those Ears!

If your dog is repeatedly shaking their head, scratching their ears, or developing an unpleasant odor, don’t simply keep cleaning and hoping it goes away. Recurring ear infections often have an underlying cause—commonly allergies—and treating the infection without addressing that underlying problem can lead to a frustrating cycle.

Healthy ears should not be persistently red, painful, or foul-smelling.

If your dog’s ears don’t look or smell right, have them checked by your veterinarian. Early treatment can help prevent painful complications and chronic ear disease.

Dr. Cassie Floral City Animal clinic Inverness Fl © Copyrights 2026