What Are Dog Ear Infections?

“Ear infection” is a general term for infections that can be found in the outer, middle, or inner ear. They can occur in one or both ears, symptoms can appear suddenly or may be long term, and are the result of some sort of inflammation in the ear.^1,2 If outer ear (otitis externa) infections are left untreated or poorly managed, they can spread to the middle ear (otitis media) and inner ear (otitis interna). This could lead to permanent hearing loss.¹

Read on to learn more about the symptoms and causes of ear infections in dogs, how to prevent them, and how to treat them.

Dog Ear Infection Symptoms

There are several warning signs for ear infections in dogs. If your pet seems visibly uncomfortable or they’re developing new behaviors toward their ears, consider taking a look. If you’re unsure, give your veterinarian a call to see what they advise.

Some signs of ear infections in dogs include:²

• Frequent ear scratching or head shaking
• Ear pain or itchiness
• Foul ear odor
• Ear swelling or skin redness
• Ear crusts and scabs
• Ear discharge

If the ear infection progresses deeper into their ear, your dog may develop otitis media or otitis interna. In addition to the signs of outer ear infection, new symptoms can include:¹

• Balance issues or lack of coordination
• Tilting the head to one side
• Drooping of the eyelid or sinking of the eye into the socket on the affected ear’s side
• Eardrum damage

Middle and inner ear infections could cause hearing loss and vestibular disease.¹ So if you notice symptoms worsening, it’s a good idea to contact your vet immediately. Dogs' ears can be highly sensitive when infected, and treating a possible infection yourself could do more harm than good.

What Causes Dog Ear Infections?

Some common causes of ear infections include:^1,2

• Allergies
• Parasites (like ear mites)
• Foreign objects or injury
• Bacteria
• Yeast
• Excessive moisture

Dogs who spend time in the water and breeds with long droopy ears, such as cocker spaniels or hounds, can be more prone to otitis externa.³

Dog Ear Infection Diagnosis

For outer ear infections, your vet will perform a visual exam to check for inflammation and other signs. If your dog is experiencing pain or has an inner ear infection, your vet may sedate them to make sure they’re safe and comfortable through the exam.²

Many vets will also do an ear swab test to check if any kinds of bacteria or parasites are present. For more severe ear infection cases that cause balance or hearing issues, X-rays or biopsies may also be necessary. Dogs with ear infections may have an underlying condition, like allergies or ear canal tumors, so allergy tests and blood work may be included to help identify the underlying cause.²

This was the case for California French bulldog, Brad, who, at one-year-old, had allergies his owners suspected were causing recurring ear infections. Fortunately, their MetLife Pet policy reimbursed them over $850 on a nearly $950 vet bill to examine and diagnose the issue.⁴

Dog Ear Infection Treatment

Treating otitis externa involves cleaning and treating the cause of the infection and managing any related issues — like allergies or dog ear hematomas from scratching. The most common methods of ear infection treatment include ear cleaning for a period of time and topical and/or oral medicine (antifungals, antibiotics, pain medication, etc.).²

The kind of medication needed depends on the type of infection (i.e., bacterial, parasitic, fungal, etc.). An anti-inflammatory is often included to relieve pain and inflammation. In some cases, dogs with painful ears may need to be sedated or anesthetized for immediate treatment.² Chronic ear infections or otitis media could also require surgical treatment to help with drainage and allow the infection to resolve.¹

Treatment must continue until all infection is gone, which could take 2 – 6 weeks and may involve periodic rechecks.^1,2 Treatment for chronic ear infections may be ongoing, and if neurological or nerve problems developed due to the infection, they could be permanent.¹

How To Prevent Ear Infections in Dogs

Doing what you can to prevent ear infections may save you money and your dog some discomfort. Here are a few tips:²

• Keep your dog’s ears dry. Use drying agents if your dog swims a lot and to prevent water from getting in your pup’s ears during a bath. This can help prevent swimmer’s ear in dogs.
• Pluck or clip hair that’s in and around the ear canal to keep the ears well ventilated. Consult with your veterinarian before doing this.
• Clean and check your dog’s ears regularly, and seek veterinary treatment if you think your dog is showing early symptoms of an ear infection.
• Manage underlying health conditions.

Cleaning your dog’s ears is typically the first step toward ear infection treatment and prevention. Your vet will give you instructions when leaving their office if your dog has been diagnosed with an infection, as there are differences in care depending on your dog’s breed and your vet’s advice.

Unless your vet says otherwise, you shouldn’t clean your dog’s ears too often — and some dogs may never need their ears routinely cleaned. Cleaning too frequently can cause ear canal irritation and could lead to infection.⁵

MetLife Pet Can Help You Cover Costs for Ear Infections in Dogs

Dog ear infections can get pricey between diagnostics, medications, and potential surgery. Getting a dog insurance policy with MetLife Pet before a health concern becomes a pre-existing condition can help offset the cost of care for your furry friend — just like these MetLife Pet policyholders:

• Sunny, a Siberian husky from California, was reimbursed over $350 for her ear infection medications that cost nearly $400.⁶
• Portia, an American bulldog from Pennsylvania, needed surgery to treat her ear infection. It cost almost $4,900, but she was reimbursed over $3,400.⁷
• Curly, a miniature schnauzer from New Hampshire, was diagnosed and treated for an ear infection. The vet bill was more than $1,200, but he was reimbursed over $1,100.⁸

See if pet insurance is worth it for you and your pup by getting your free, personalized quote today.