Ear Infections in Dogs: Causes and Treatments

If your dog has ever shaken their head non-stop or scratched at their ear until it was red raw, there is a good chance an ear infection was to blame. Ear infections are one of the most common reasons Australian dog owners visit the vet, and they can range from a mild irritation to a painful condition that affects your dog’s hearing and balance. The good news is that most ear infections are very treatable when caught early. Here is everything you need to know about spotting, treating, and preventing them.

Understanding the Three Types of Ear Infections

Not all ear infections are the same. Vets classify them based on which part of the ear is affected, and the type determines how serious the infection is and how it needs to be treated.

Otitis Externa (Outer Ear Infection)

This is by far the most common type, affecting the outer ear canal — the part you can see when you lift your dog’s ear flap. It accounts for the vast majority of ear infections in dogs and is usually the easiest to treat. You will notice redness, discharge, and a strong odour coming from the ear.

Otitis Media (Middle Ear Infection)

When an outer ear infection goes untreated or keeps coming back, it can spread deeper into the middle ear. This is more painful and harder to treat. Around 16 per cent of dogs with chronic outer ear infections develop a middle ear infection as well.

Otitis Interna (Inner Ear Infection)

The most serious type, inner ear infections can affect your dog’s balance and hearing. You may notice your dog tilting their head, walking in circles, or seeming disoriented. Inner ear infections usually need aggressive treatment and sometimes referral to a veterinary specialist.

What Causes Ear Infections in Dogs?

There is rarely a single cause. Ear infections usually result from a combination of factors that create the perfect environment for bacteria or yeast to thrive.

Bacteria and Yeast

A healthy dog’s ear naturally contains small amounts of bacteria and yeast. Problems start when something disrupts that balance, allowing one or both to overgrow. Bacterial infections often produce a yellowish or greenish discharge, while yeast infections tend to create a dark, waxy build-up with a musty smell.

Allergies

This is one of the biggest underlying causes that many pet owners overlook. Dogs with food or environmental allergies are far more likely to develop recurring ear infections. If your dog gets ear infections frequently, your vet may want to investigate allergies as the root cause.

Moisture

Dogs that love swimming or those that live in humid parts of Australia are particularly prone. Water trapped in the ear canal creates a warm, moist environment where bacteria and yeast flourish. This is especially common during the warmer months when dogs are in and out of the water.

Ear Anatomy

Dogs with long, floppy ears have less airflow to the ear canal, which traps moisture and warmth. Breeds with narrow ear canals or excessive hair growth in the ears face similar challenges.

Other Causes

Foreign bodies like grass seeds (a real hazard during Australian summers), ear mites (more common in puppies), hormonal conditions like hypothyroidism, and excessive ear cleaning can all contribute to ear infections.

Symptoms to Watch For

Dogs are good at hiding discomfort, but ear infections usually produce noticeable signs. Keep an eye out for:

• Head shaking or tilting
• Scratching or pawing at one or both ears
• Redness or swelling inside the ear flap
• Brown, yellow, or bloody discharge
• An unpleasant smell coming from the ears
• Whimpering or pulling away when you touch the ears
• Crusting or scabbing around the ear
• Loss of balance or coordination (in severe cases)

If you notice any of these signs, it is worth booking a vet visit sooner rather than later. Early treatment is simpler, less expensive, and far more comfortable for your dog.

Breeds Most Prone to Ear Infections

While any dog can develop an ear infection, some breeds are genetically predisposed due to their ear shape, skin type, or allergy tendencies:

• Cocker Spaniels — Long, heavy ear flaps that trap moisture
• Labrador Retrievers — Love water and are prone to allergies
• Golden Retrievers — Similar combination of water affinity and allergy risk
• Cavalier King Charles Spaniels — Pendulous ears with poor ventilation
• Shar Peis — Narrow ear canals
• Poodles and Poodle crosses — Hair growth inside the ear canal
• Bulldogs — Narrow ear canals and allergy tendencies

If you have one of these breeds, regular ear checks should become part of your routine. Your vet can show you what a healthy ear looks like so you know what to compare against.

How Vets Diagnose Ear Infections

Your vet will start with a physical examination using an otoscope — a handheld device with a light and magnifying lens that lets them look deep into the ear canal. They will check for redness, swelling, discharge, and whether the eardrum is intact.

In most cases, your vet will also take a swab of the discharge and examine it under a microscope. This cytology test helps determine whether the infection is caused by bacteria, yeast, or both, which directly affects which treatment they prescribe.

For chronic or severe infections, your vet may recommend a culture and sensitivity test to identify the specific bacteria involved and which antibiotics will be most effective. In some cases, imaging such as X-rays or a CT scan may be needed to assess middle or inner ear involvement.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the type and severity of the infection, but most ear infections respond well to proper care.

Ear Cleaning and Topical Medication

For straightforward outer ear infections, your vet will thoroughly clean the ear and prescribe medicated ear drops. These usually contain a combination of an antibiotic, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory. You will typically need to apply the drops at home for 7 to 14 days. Your vet will show you the proper technique — getting the drops deep enough into the ear canal is important.

Oral Medications

More severe infections or those involving the middle ear may require oral antibiotics or antifungal medications in addition to topical treatment. If allergies are the underlying cause, your vet may also prescribe antihistamines or other allergy management medications.

Surgery

In rare cases of chronic, unresponsive infections, surgery may be necessary. Total ear canal ablation (TECA) removes the entire ear canal and is considered a last resort, but it can dramatically improve quality of life for dogs suffering from constant, painful infections.

How Much Does Treatment Cost?

A standard vet consultation and treatment for a simple ear infection typically costs between $150 and $350 in Australia, covering the consultation, ear cleaning, cytology, and medication. More complex cases requiring cultures, specialist referrals, or ongoing treatment can run into the thousands. Surgical intervention can cost $3,000 to $5,000 or more per ear.

This is one area where pet insurance can really take the pressure off, especially if your dog is prone to recurring infections that need multiple vet visits and ongoing medication.

Preventing Ear Infections

Prevention is always better (and cheaper) than treatment. Here are practical steps to reduce your dog’s risk:

• Dry ears after swimming or bathing. Gently pat the outer ear dry with a soft towel and consider using a vet-approved ear drying solution.
• Check ears weekly. A quick look and sniff can catch problems before they become painful.
• Clean ears appropriately. Use a vet-recommended ear cleaner, but do not over-clean. Once a week or fortnight is usually enough for most dogs.
• Address allergies. If your dog has allergies, managing them properly will reduce the frequency of ear infections.
• Avoid cotton buds. Never insert cotton buds into your dog’s ear canal. You risk pushing debris deeper or damaging the eardrum.
• Keep up with vet check-ups. Regular wellness visits give your vet the chance to spot early signs you might miss.

When to See the Vet

Do not try to treat an ear infection at home with over-the-counter products or home remedies. What looks like a simple infection could involve a ruptured eardrum, and using the wrong product can cause serious harm. See your vet if your dog shows any symptoms of an ear infection, if a treated infection does not improve within a few days, or if infections keep coming back.

Early treatment means less pain for your dog, a faster recovery, and a lower vet bill for you. If your dog is one of the breeds prone to ear trouble, having pet insurance in place before problems start means you can focus on getting them the care they need without worrying about the cost.

Frequently Asked Questions