Sheet
Ear infection
Inflammation of the ear canal, often with a bacterial or yeast infection. Mites, allergies or something stuck in the ear can cause it.
Go to the vet now if…
- Head tilt, loss of balance, stumbling, or odd eye movements.
- Can't move one side of the face or close an eyelid properly.
- Severe pain: cries, won't let you touch the ear, or seems very down.
How you notice it
- Head shaking or lots of ear scratching.
- A bad smell from the ear.
- Discharge or gunk in the ear canal.
- A red, swollen or scaly ear.
- Pain or itch: pulls away when you touch the ear.
What to do
- Book a vet visit: the vet needs to look inside the ear and at the eardrum and check the discharge to choose a treatment.
- Don't put anything in the ear: no cotton swabs and no home remedies like vinegar.
- Don't use ear drops or medicines meant for people.
- Follow your vet's instructions exactly for cleaning and treating the ear at home.
- If ear infections keep coming back, tell your vet: they can involve the middle ear.
Does it spread?
- To other dogs: it depends
If ear mites are the cause, other pets living with your puppy may need treatment too. Ask your vet.
How to prevent it
- Keep the ears dry and avoid getting water in them at bath time.
- Clean them only if your vet recommends it, and the way they show you.
Sources
- Ear Infections and Otitis Externa in Dogs - Dog Owner Version (Roman N; full review Apr 2026)
- Mite Infestation (Mange, Acariasis, Scabies) in Dogs - Dog Owner Version (Dryden MW; updated Apr 2026)
- Otitis Media and Interna in Dogs - Dog Owner Version (Roman N; full review Apr 2026)
- 13 Animal emergencies that require immediate veterinary consultation and/or care
- Medication Errors Happen to Pets, Too (Consumer Update, content current as of 13 May 2021)
- Never Give Medications for People to Pets (Bryan L, Pet Health Columns, 19 Sept 2025)
- Nobivac DHPPi lyophilisate for suspension for injection for dogs - Summary of Product Characteristics (last revised Aug 2025, approved Dec 2025)
- Directrices de 2024 para la vacunación de perros y gatos (traducción al español de Squires RA et al., J Small Anim Pract 2024): refugios y preguntas sobre glucocorticoides
- 2022 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines (Ellis J et al., J Am Anim Hosp Assoc 2022) - full text PDF
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Your vet is the one who can tell what's wrong and what to do.