Dog Ear Infections: Symptoms and Treatment

Dog ear infections are common and typically affect the outer ear canal, causing symptoms such as redness, itching, pain, odor, and discharge. These infections can develop when bacteria or yeast overgrow in the ear canal.

Any dog can develop an ear infection, and treatment depends on the underlying cause and severity.

Here’s what pet parents should know about dog ear infection symptoms, causes, treatment, recovery, and prevention.

What Are Dog Ear Infections?

A dog ear infection is one of the most common types of infections in dogs and typically affects the outer ear canal (otitis externa).

Download the medical illustration of dog ear infections.

Small amounts of microscopic bacteria and yeast normally live in a dog's outer ear canal. However, when debris builds up or the healthy ear canal is compromised, bacteria and yeast can overgrow and cause an infection.

Any dog can develop an ear infection, but the five breeds with the highest rate of ear infections are:

• Basset Hounds

• Chinese Shar-Pei

• Labradoodles

• Beagles

• Cockapoos

What Are the Symptoms of a Dog Ear Infection?

Symptoms of a dog ear infection commonly include redness, odor, itching, pain, head shaking, head tilt, discharge, and swelling.

Common signs of dog ear infections include:

• Redness
• Odor (a yeasty, corn chip-like smell)
• Itching/scratching at ears
• Pain
• Shaking of the head
• Head tilt
• Discharge
• Scabs or crusting around the ear flap
• Swelling of the ear flap (aural hematoma)

Dogs may also experience hearing loss or balance issues. Rarely, a dog ear infection may affect a pup’s appetite if your dog is having system-wide effects. Dogs may have an infection in one or both ears.

Types of Ear Infections in Dogs

There are three types of dog ear infections, classified by where the inflammation occurs: otitis externa, otitis media, and otitis interna.

The anatomy of a dog's ear starts outside the head and moves inward as follows: ear flap (pinnae), ear canal, eardrum, middle ear, and inner ear.

Otitis is divided into three types based on the location of a dog’s ear infection:

• Otitis externa: inflammation of the ear canal
• Otitis media: inflammation of the middle ear
• Otitis interna: inflammation of the inner ear

Otitis externa is the most common dog ear infection, as this part of the ear is most exposed to the outside world. Ear infections can be acute (quick onset) or chronic (recurrent).

Dog Yeast Ear Infection vs. Bacterial Ear Infection

A yeast ear infection and a bacterial ear infection in dogs can look the same to the naked eye. To determine the difference, your veterinarian can take a sample of ear discharge and examine it under a microscope to distinguish between bacterial and yeast infections.

Yeast ear infections tend to have a distinct odor and have a darker brown discharge. Bacterial ear infections are usually a lighter brown or yellow color. Most dogs have a yeast infection when they have an otitis externa. Infections of the middle and inner ear are usually bacterial.

What Causes Ear Infections in Dogs?

A dog ear infection can develop when an underlying problem compromises the ear’s normal protective barrier, allowing bacteria or yeast to overgrow.

When the ear becomes moist or inflamed, bacteria or yeast can overgrow and cause an infection.

Common causes of dog ear infections include:

• Foreign bodies (such as grass awn or foxtails) that get into the ear
• Ear mites
• Excessive moisture from bathing or swimming
• Food allergies
• Environmental allergies
• Endocrine issues such as hypothyroidism
• Autoimmune diseases such as pemphigus, lupus, or vasculitis
• Polyps (fleshy growths inside the ear canal)
• Certain types of cancer
• Trauma to the ear

These issues can make the ear canal vulnerable to a bacterial infection and/or a yeast infection.

Aural Hematomas in Dogs

When a dog is in pain and scratching and shaking excessively, an aural hematoma can develop. This is seen in the earflap, where ruptured blood vessels leak blood that clots, causing swelling and pain.

How Do Veterinarians Diagnose Dog Ear Infections?

Veterinarians diagnose dog ear infections by testing ear debris or performing imaging tests to determine the cause and choose the appropriate treatment.

Diagnostic tests may include:

• Cytology: This test uses special stains on the swab of debris to color the microscopic bacterial cells or yeast. Viewing these under the microscope can identify the specific cause of infection.
• Culture/sensitivity testing: This test uses special medium/broth to grow and identify the specific bacteria or yeast that are causing the infection. It also tests which medications will be effective in eliminating the infection.
• Blood testing: This test may be needed to check for endocrine disease as an underlying condition.
• Skull X-rays, CT scan, or MRI: These tests may be needed to assess the extent of severe or inner ear disease in your dog.

How Are Dog Ear Infections Treated?

Dog ear infection treatment depends on the type and severity of the infection and may include topical medications, oral medications, or surgical treatment.

Topical Treatment for Dog Ear Infections

Depending on the infection’s type and severity, an ear cleaner may be recommended that could be medicated or non-medicated.

Typically, cleaning a dog's ears with an ear cleaner will be recommended every day or every other day while treating an ear infection. Ear medications are typically recommended once or twice a day for seven to 10 days, so it’s important to follow your veterinarian’s specific instructions.

Ear cleaner should be used before applying prescribed medications—you don’t want to clean out the medications.

Ear medications will likely come in the form of ear drops with an applicator. Depending on the type of ear infection, ear medications may be an antibiotic, anti-fungal, or both. Some medications also include topical steroids to help with the itch.

Ask your veterinarian if you should wait a certain length of time after cleaning to apply the ear drops.

Oral Treatment for Dog Ear Infections

Depending on the severity of your dog's ear infection, an oral antibiotic, antifungal, steroid, or anti-inflammatory medication may be used.

Surgical Treatment for Dog Ear Infections

Ears that have had severe chronic disease may no longer respond to medical treatments, often because the ear canal is scarred closed. 

The goal of surgery for these dogs is to open the ear canal or sometimes to completely remove all diseased tissue. This procedure is called a total ear canal ablation (TECA) and ventral bulla osteotomy (VBO).

Can You Treat Dog Ear Infections Without a Vet?

While there are no effective home remedies for dog ear infections, an over-the-counter medicated ear cleanser can help a mild infection. Veterinary treatment and prescription medication is often required to restore a healthy ear canal and treat a significant ear infection.

Recovery and Management of Ear Infections in Dogs

Most dogs recover uneventfully from dog ear infections. However, frequent or chronic ear infections may require additional veterinary testing to identify an underlying cause.

Recurring Ear Infections in Dogs

If your dog has frequent or chronic ear infections, your veterinarian will likely recommend additional testing to determine whether there is an underlying cause.

Long-Term Management of Dog Ear Infections

Long-term management may include weekly preventative ear cleaning and/or a diet change, as food allergies can be an underlying cause of infections. 

How To Prevent Dog Ear Infections

Regular grooming, ear cleaning, and ear maintenance can help prevent dog ear infections. Routine ear cleaning is especially important if your dog loves to swim.

Cleaning is best accomplished with a veterinarian-approved ear-cleaning product made specifically for dogs. These products are typically formulated with appropriate pH levels for dogs and contain drying agents.