Head shaking, scratching at the ears, rubbing the face on the carpet, or a sour smell from the ears are the most common signs that a dog has an ear problem. Many dogs are treated, improve, and then have the same symptoms again a few weeks later.
An ear infection is rarely just an ear problem. The ear canal is lined with skin, so anything that inflames the skin, especially allergies, can set the stage for infection. Finding and treating that underlying cause is what keeps the infection from coming back.
How to Recognize an Ear Problem in Your Dog
Watch for these signs:
- Frequent head shaking
- Scratching at one or both ears
- Rubbing the face or ears on furniture or the floor
- Redness or swelling at the ear opening
- Odor, discharge, or dark debris in the ear
- Pain or flinching when the ears are touched
Look at the rest of the skin, too. Paw licking, itching elsewhere on the body, or a dull or thinning coat alongside ear symptoms often point to a skin condition such as allergies.
What Causes Ear Infections in Dogs?
Most ear infections involve bacteria, yeast, or both. These organisms normally live on the skin in small numbers and multiply when the ear canal becomes inflamed, warm, and moist. As Dr. Lisa Beagan explains, bacterial and yeast infections are the most common problems we see in dogs’ ears, and the only reliable way to tell them apart is with diagnostic testing, not by how the ear looks.
The question that matters most is what caused the inflammation in the first place. Common triggers, from most to least common, include:
- Allergies: the most common underlying cause of recurring ear infections.
- Moisture: swimming and bathing leave water in the canal, especially in dogs with floppy ears.
- Foreign bodies: grass awns and plant material can lodge deep in the canal, usually causing sudden symptoms in one ear.
- Ear mites: seen mostly in puppies and dogs from shelters or multi-pet homes.
- Hormonal disease: conditions such as hypothyroidism can affect the skin and ears.
Can Allergies Cause Ear Problems in Dogs?
Yes. Allergies are the most common reason a dog has ear infections that keep coming back. Dogs can be allergic to ingredients in their food, to environmental allergens such as pollen and dust mites, or to flea bites, and some dogs have more than one allergy.
Allergic inflammation makes the ear canal a comfortable place for bacteria and yeast to grow. Treating the infection clears the current episode, but if the allergy is not managed, the infection is likely to return. A dog with itchy ears and itchy paws, or with symptoms that recur at the same time each year, should be evaluated for allergies.
A dog who has recurring itching, with or without gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, or soft stool, and whose symptoms continue even in the dead of winter should be evaluated for a food sensitivity.
Why Bacteria and Yeast Need to Be Identified
Bacterial and yeast infections can look and smell alike, and they are treated with different medications. The only way to know which is present is to look at a sample under the microscope. Dr. Beagan values this step because appearance alone is often misleading.
What is ear cytology?
Performing an ear cytology means examining a sample from the ear canal under the microscope to see which organisms are present. The veterinarian swabs the canal, places the sample on a slide, stains it, and looks for bacteria, yeast, and inflammatory cells. The results tell the veterinarian which medication to choose. Repeating the cytology at a recheck shows whether the infection has cleared, is resolving, or needs a different medication. Some ear infections take longer to clear, so organisms that are still present at a recheck do not necessarily mean the treatment is failing, especially if the cytology shows improvement. If the organisms are not decreasing, a culture can identify them and determine which medication will work best against them.
Why Does My Dog Keep Getting Ear Infections?
Recurring ear infections usually happen for one of three reasons:
- The underlying cause, most often allergies, has not been identified or controlled.
- The infection was not fully cleared. Stopping medication when the ear looks better, rather than when a recheck shows it has resolved, allows it to return.
- The organism has changed. A new episode may involve different bacteria or yeast than the last one, so the old medication may no longer work.
Each new episode should be examined on its own rather than treated as a repeat of the last one. As Dr. Beagan explains, skin and ear problems can change over time, and the organisms causing this infection may not be the same as last time. That is why performing a cytology is a useful tool for choosing the right treatment for each episode.
For dogs with recurring ear problems, we often provide owners with products such as a medicated ear cleaner to keep at home. Used at the first sign of trouble, these products can sometimes address a problem early, before it develops into an infection that needs prescription medication. We will show you how and when to use them, and which signs mean it is time for an exam.
What Your Dog’s Skin Can Tell You About Their Ears
Because the ear canal is lined with skin, the ears often reflect what is happening on the rest of the body. When your dog comes in for an ear problem, your veterinarian examines the whole dog, not just the ears, looking at the skin, coat, paws, and overall health.
Your history matters just as much as the exam. You see your dog every day, so tell your veterinarian if you have noticed paw licking, scratching, hair loss, red or bumpy skin, or changes in appetite or stool. This information helps us understand and treat what you are seeing at home. Ear infections combined with these signs often point to an underlying skin condition that needs more than ear medication.
Seasonal Ear Problems Versus Year-Round Symptoms
Timing is a useful clue. Ear and skin symptoms that flare in spring or fall may indicate environmental allergies such as pollen. Symptoms that continue year-round raise the possibility of food allergy or another cause, although environmental allergies can also be year-round. Flea allergy is considered in any season.
Keep a simple record of when symptoms start, how long they last, and what has worked for your dog in the past and what has not. Your veterinarian will have a record of the treatments prescribed, but your notes on how your dog actually responded at home help narrow down the cause and guide the next treatment.
Why You Should Avoid Treating Your Dog’s Ears Without Guidance
Leftover ear medication and over-the-counter products are tempting, but they can do harm. A medication meant for bacteria will not treat yeast, and some ear products can damage the inner ear if the eardrum is ruptured, which can only be checked with an otoscope. Home remedies such as vinegar or hydrogen peroxide can irritate an already inflamed canal. Have the ear examined first, then ask your veterinarian which cleaner to use and how often.
What Happens During a Veterinary Ear and Skin Examination?
The visit starts with your dog’s history: when symptoms began, what has been tried, diet, flea prevention, and any seasonal pattern. The veterinarian then performs a full physical examination, which includes looking into both ear canals with an otoscope, checking the eardrums, and examining the skin and coat.
Based on what is found, testing may include:
- Skin and/or ear cytology: to identify bacteria or yeast.
- Culture: for infections that have not responded to treatment or recur often.
- Hair examination: to look for mites or fungal infection on the skin.
- Blood work: when a hormonal or internal cause is suspected.
Treatment is chosen based on the findings, and recheck visits let your veterinarian monitor progress and adjust the plan as needed until the problem has resolved.
Why Your Dog’s Treatment Plan Should Fit Your Household
The best treatment is one you can give consistently. Some dogs will not tolerate drops in a painful ear, and some owners cannot medicate twice a day. Dr. Beagan considers what the pet will tolerate and what the owner can realistically manage, and depending on the condition, options may include oral medication, long-acting ear medication applied in the clinic, or topical products such as shampoos, sprays, or mousses for the skin. Tell your veterinarian if a treatment is difficult to give so the plan can be adjusted.
Can a Mobile Vet Treat Dog Ear Infections at Home?
Yes. Most ear and skin problems can be diagnosed and treated during a mobile visit. Mobile Pet Vet collects ear samples during the home visit and examines them under the microscope in our office. When cultures or blood work are needed, those samples are sent to an outside laboratory.
Many dogs are calmer at home, which makes examining a sore ear easier and less stressful. Seeing the home also gives the veterinarian useful information about the dog’s routine, diet, and environment.
When Should You Have Your Dog’s Ears Checked?
Schedule a visit if your dog has head shaking or ear scratching that lasts more than a day or two, odor, discharge, or redness, or if ear problems keep returning.
Seek prompt care if your dog is in pain, the ear flap is swollen, scratching has caused wounds, or symptoms are worsening quickly. A head tilt, loss of balance, or unusual eye movements can mean the infection has reached the middle or inner ear and need urgent attention.
What to Remember About Dog Ear Infections
- Most ear infections involve bacteria or yeast, and cytology identifies which one.
- Allergies are the most common reason infections keep coming back.
- Avoid leftover or over-the-counter ear medications until the ear has been examined.
- Finish the full course of treatment and return for the recheck.
If your dog is shaking their head or scratching their ears, Mobile Pet Vet can examine them at home in Annapolis and most of Anne Arundel County.
