Ear disease is one of the most common reasons dogs are seen by a vet. It can affect the outer, middle, or inner ear and may be caused by allergies, parasites, foreign material, excessive earwax production, growths, or underlying skin disease. Bacterial and yeast infections often develop because of these underlying problems rather than being the primary cause. Without appropriate treatment, ear disease can become painful and recurrent, and in severe cases may lead to permanent damage to the ear canal or hearing.
Dogs with ear disease may show a range of signs, including:
Head shaking or scratching at the ears
Red, inflamed or swollen ears
A bad smell from the ears
Brown, yellow or black discharge
Pain or sensitivity when the ears are touched
Holding the head to one side or loss of balance in more severe cases
Contact your vet if your dog is shaking its head, scratching its ears, has redness, discharge or an unpleasant smell from the ears, or seems painful when the ears are touched. Early treatment can help prevent the condition from becoming more painful or difficult to treat.
Your vet may recommend:
Examination of the ears using an otoscope to assess the ear canal and eardrum, where possible.
Microscopic examination of ear discharge to identify bacteria, yeast or ear mites.
Laboratory culture of ear discharge in recurrent or difficult-to-treat cases to help select the most appropriate medication.
Sedation or anaesthesia if the ears are too painful to examine thoroughly or require cleaning.
Further investigations in dogs with recurrent ear disease to identify underlying causes, such as allergies.
Treatment will depend on the underlying cause and may include:
Ear drops to reduce inflammation and treat bacterial or yeast infections.
Ear cleaning, either at home or by your veterinary team where appropriate.
Treatment for underlying causes such as allergies, ear mites or foreign material in the ear canal.
Pain relief or anti-inflammatory medication if the ears are sore.
Sedation or anaesthesia to allow thorough examination and cleaning of severely affected ears.
Surgery may be recommended in some dogs with chronic ear disease, growths or other conditions that cannot be managed with medical treatment alone.
Although not all ear disease can be prevented, the following measures may help reduce the risk:
Check your dog's ears regularly for redness, discharge or an unpleasant smell.
Keep the ears clean if advised by your veterinary team, particularly in dogs prone to ear problems.
Use effective parasite prevention as recommended by your vet.
Manage underlying conditions, such as allergies, to help reduce recurrent ear disease.
Seek veterinary advice promptly if you notice early signs of ear discomfort.
The outlook for most dogs with ear disease is good when treatment is started promptly, and any underlying cause is identified and managed. However, some dogs develop recurrent or chronic ear problems that require ongoing treatment and monitoring. Early veterinary attention can help prevent long-term damage to the ear canal and improve your dog's comfort and quality of life.
Written by Gillian Burkhill, Veterinary Surgeon, Animal Trust Vets CIC | Published September 2026 | Review date September 2029 | This advice is for UK pets only and is not a replacement for seeing a vet
