How to treat ear infection in dogs

Part of caring for your pet is being on the lookout for signs that something may be going on with their health. Those signs may be different from symptoms of the same condition in humans. For example, have you ever noticed your dog shaking its head or repeatedly scratching its ears? This behavior could signal an ear infection, also known as otitis. Dogs are even more prone to ear infections than their owners due to the shape of their ear canals. In fact, dog ear infections are one of the most common reasons for a visit to a veterinarian. 

Signs of ear infection in dogs

Ear infections can be very painful and dogs can’t tell us when they are suffering. It’s up to pet owners to be aware of the signs of an ear infection. These include: 

• Head shaking, head tilting, pawing, or scratching at the ear 
• Redness and swelling in ear canals
• Pulling away or yelping when ears are touched
• Discharge in the ears that can be colored yellow, green, brown, or black
• Odor (yeast infection in dogs ears will give off a sweet or musty smell)
• Failure to respond when called (this could indicate hearing loss)

“The most common sign of an ear infection in a dog is shaking of the head,” says Jamie Whittenburg, DVM, the director of Kingsgate Animal Hospital in Texas and a veterinarian at seniortailwaggers.com. “Many dogs will also scratch at their ears with their paws or rub the ears on the floor.”

Causes

Common causes of ear infections are an unhealthy buildup of bacteria, yeast, or a combination of both in a dog’s ear canal. There are many contributing factors to dog ear infections such as: 

• Allergies
• Moisture in the ear canal (sometimes due to bathing or swimming)
• Autoimmune disorders
• Foreign bodies (such as foxtails and grass awns)
• Injury to the ear canal
• Excessively narrow ear canals due to the physical traits of some breeds

Ear mites are commonly thought to contribute to dog ear infection and while this may be true for cats and sometimes pup’s ears, it is unusual for adult dogs. “As a practicing veterinarian of 17 years, I have never seen ear mites in a dog,” says Dr. Whittenburg, who says she sees five to six dogs with ear infections each week.

Diagnosis and when to see a vet

“If you notice anything unusual about your dog’s ears, it’s best to get your veterinarian to check them over,” says Jamie Richardson, BVetMed, the head of veterinary medicine at Small Door Veterinary. If your dog is showing signs of painful ear irritation, the problem is not likely to go away on its own. Additionally symptoms of an ear infection mirror other ear issues, such as polyps or tumors, allergies, hematoma, or even neurological disease. 

How to treat ear infection in dogs

A veterinarian will determine what type of ear infection your canine companion has, and that will determine the appropriate treatment. There are three kinds of dog ear infections; otitis externa (outer ear), otitis media (middle ear), and otitis interna (inner ear infection). The most common type of ear infection for a dog is otitis externa (or outer ear infection).

“Your veterinarian will be able to determine the best treatment plan to relieve the inflammation, reduce pain, remove debris, and resolve the infection,” says Dr. Richardson. “This may be done with a combination of antibiotics and antifungals, cleaning agents, and steroids, which relieve the itching and swelling.” 

It’s important to note that veterinary medications are specially formulated for animals and that  while some medications (such as antibiotics) are prescribed to both humans and animals, the formulations and dosage varies widely. Humans and animals metabolize medications differently, and certain human meds can be toxic for animals. Medications for dog ear infections should only be administered as prescribed by your vet. If a prescription is available at your local pharmacy, you may be able to use your SingleCare card to save.

RELATED: Can I use SingleCare for pet medications?

Some medications your veterinarian may prescribe to treat dog ear infection may include: 

1. Ear drops

Ear drops are often used to treat animals with chronic ear infections. These medications are applied directly into the ear. Some are administered multiple times a day and some are long-acting medications that are administered once by your veterinarian. Many are a combination of an antifungal, corticosteroid, and antibiotic. Examples of these medications include:

• Mometamax
• Claro
• Otomax
• Posatex 
• Surolan
• Osurnia

2. Antibiotics

Depending on which type of ear infection your dog has, oral antibiotics may be used to treat certain bacterial infections. Although these are available at human pharmacies, dogs require canine-specific dosages that require a veterinarian’s diagnosis and prescription. Antibiotics used to treat bacterial ear infections in dogs include: 

• Augmentin (amoxicillin-clavulanate)
• Enrofloxacin 
• Cleocin (clindamycin)
• Cefpodoxime

3. Anti-fungal ointments and oral medications 

Oral antifungal medications and topical antifungal ointment or creams may be used to treat dog ear infections that are fungal in nature and may include: 

• Sporanox (itraconazole)
• Miconazole
• Ketodan (ketoconazole)

4. Anti-inflammatory medications

Over-the-counter NSAIDs such as Advil (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen) and products containing acetaminophen (such as Tylenol) should never be given to dogs, as they can cause serious health issues. NSAIDS are not typically used in combination with corticosteroids due to risk of stomach ulcers when these two types of medications are used together. Because corticosteroids are a common part of combination ear medications, it is important to only use canine NSAIDs after recommendations from your veterinarian. Examples of NSAIDs that are safe for dogs and available through a veterinary prescription include: 

• Galliprant
• Carprofen
• Meloxicam
• Deracoxib 
• Firocoxib

5. Surgery

In severe cases when ear infections are chronic and don’t respond to medical therapy, surgery may be required. For example, veterinarians may offer a total ear canal ablation (TECA), a procedure that removes the vertical and horizontal ear canals down to the level of the middle ear.  

RELATED: Should you get pet insurance?

Natural or home remedies

Dog ear infections will not go away on their own, and trying to treat them at home with natural remedies likely won’t work—and may even worsen the infection. “If the ear issue has progressed to an actual infection, I do not recommend any at-home or over-the-counter remedies,” Dr. Whittenburg says. “Ear infections require appropriate prescription medications to clear.”

Dr. Richardson agrees and notes that recommendations online that suggest treating dog ear infections with vinegar or hydrogen peroxide will further irritate the inside of a dog’s ear and could lead to more damage. “We recommend visiting your veterinarian whenever you notice something amiss about your dog’s ears,” Dr. Richardson says. “Ear infections do not typically resolve on their own and if left untreated, may permanently damage or rupture the eardrum, which can lead to deafness.”

Prevention

Keeping the ears clean and dry can help prevent dog ear infections; especially in breeds with floppy ears that can trap moisture such as retrievers, basset hounds, and cocker spaniels—as well as any dog that swims frequently. This usually involves using a cleanser in the ear canal and massaging at the base of the ear. Ask your veterinarian about the right cleaning solution to use and the best way to clean your pet’s ears.

For dogs with recurrent ear infections, it’s important to get to the underlying cause of the issue. “Ear infections in dogs are most often a result of underlying conditions such as allergies, autoimmune issues, or hypothyroidism. These issues must be diagnosed and controlled, in addition to successfully treating the ear infection, to ensure there isn’t a recurrence,” says Dr. Whittenburg. For example, omega-3 fatty acids may help to strengthen skin’s barrier function and can be helpful for pups whose allergies make them more vulnerable to ear infections. 

It’s also important to simply be aware of any changes in your dog’s ears. “The best thing you can do to prevent ear infections is to inspect your dogs’ ears regularly,” says Dr. Richardson. “Look for changes in skin color, condition, and temperature, and sniff your dog’s ears to check for odors. While it may seem odd, you should know what a healthy, clean, dog ear smells like so you can tell when something may be off.” 

Bottom line: Our pets depend on us for their care. If you notice anything unusual about your dog’s ears, make an appointment to see your veterinarian right away so your pet can get the help it needs to feel better.