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Otitis Externa (Ear Infection) in Dogs

Inflammation of the external ear canal, extremely common in dogs especially those with floppy ears. Can be caused by bacteria, yeast, allergies, or foreign bodies.

Last updated: 2026-05-10

Severity

mild

When to Act

See Vet Soon

Symptoms & Signs

Ear scratching

Persistent scratching at one or both ears, often intense.

Always present

Head shaking

Frequent, vigorous head shaking or head tilt to one side.

Always present

Ear discharge

Brown, yellow, or bloody discharge with an unpleasant odor.

Very common

Redness and swelling

Visible redness of the ear flap and ear canal opening.

Very common

Pain when ears touched

Dog yelps, pulls away, or becomes aggressive when ears are handled.

Very common

Behavioral Changes to Watch For

Pets can't tell us what's wrong. These behavioral changes are often the first clues that something is wrong.

🐾 Rubbing head on surfaces

The dog rubs the side of their head against furniture, carpet, or the ground to relieve ear discomfort.

What You May Notice:

Your dog drags their head along the sofa or carpet, or constantly rubs an ear with a paw.

🐾 Irritability when head is touched

Chronic ear pain can make a normally friendly dog become snappy.

What You May Notice:

Your dog growls when you try to pet their head, when they previously enjoyed it.

Causes & Risk Factors

Causes

  • •Bacterial infection (Staphylococcus, Pseudomonas)
  • •Yeast overgrowth (Malassezia pachydermatis)
  • •Underlying allergies (atopic dermatitis, food allergy)
  • •Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis) — more common in puppies
  • •Foreign body (grass awn, foxtail)
  • •Excessive moisture (swimming, bathing)

Risk Factors

  • ⚠Floppy-eared breeds: Cocker Spaniel, Basset Hound, Labrador, Golden Retriever
  • ⚠Dogs with hairy ear canals: Poodle, Schnauzer
  • ⚠Frequent swimming
  • ⚠Concurrent skin allergies

How It's Diagnosed

  • 1Otoscopic examination to visualize the ear canal and tympanic membrane
  • 2Ear cytology — microscopic examination of discharge to identify organisms
  • 3Culture and sensitivity testing for chronic or recurrent cases
  • 4Rule out underlying allergies with elimination diet trial

Treatment Options

home care

Ear Cleaning

Thorough but gentle cleaning of the ear canal to remove debris and allow medication to penetrate.

Steps

  1. 1.Use a veterinary ear cleaner (Epi-Otic, TrizULTRA)
  2. 2.Fill the ear canal with cleaner and massage base for 30-60 seconds
  3. 3.Allow the dog to shake out excess
  4. 4.Gently wipe visible debris with cotton ball (never Q-tips deep in the canal)

Expected Outcome

Clean ear canal ready for medication application.

Precautions

  • !Never insert Q-tips deep into the ear canal — you can rupture the eardrum
  • !Do not clean if the eardrum may be ruptured (confirmed by vet)
medication

Topical Ear Medications

Medicated ear drops combining antibiotic, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory agents.

Steps

  1. 1.Apply prescribed drops after cleaning
  2. 2.Massage ear base to distribute medication
  3. 3.Complete the full course (7-14 days) even if symptoms improve
  4. 4.Recheck with vet to confirm resolution

Expected Outcome

Resolution of infection within 7-14 days for uncomplicated cases.

Precautions

  • !Only use medications prescribed for your specific dog
  • !Do not use leftover medications from previous infections

Common Medications Used

MedicationUsageImportant Notes
OtomaxBroad-spectrum ear ointment for bacterial and fungal otitisContains gentamicin, betamethasone, and clotrimazole. Apply after cleaning.
MometamaxSingle-dose ear treatment for otitis externaNot for dogs with ruptured eardrums.

Prevention

  • ✓Regular ear checks (weekly)
  • ✓Dry ears thoroughly after swimming or bathing
  • ✓Routine ear cleaning for predisposed breeds every 1-2 weeks
  • ✓Manage underlying allergies
  • ✓Keep ear hair trimmed in hairy-eared breeds

When to See a Veterinarian

  • ⚠️Ear discharge with foul odor
  • ⚠️Dog shows pain when ears are touched
  • ⚠️Head tilt or loss of balance (may indicate middle/inner ear involvement)
  • ⚠️Symptoms persist after 3-4 days of treatment

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use human ear drops on my dog?
No. Human ear drops may contain ingredients harmful to dogs. The pH of dog ear canals differs from humans. Always use veterinary-prescribed medications.

Prognosis

Excellent for acute cases. Chronic or recurrent cases require identification and management of underlying cause (usually allergies).

References

  • [1] American College of Veterinary Dermatology — Otitis Externa Guidelines

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