Ear Infections In Pets

If your dog keeps shaking their head or your cat is scratching at their ears, you probably want answers fast. Ear infections are uncomfortable, and the early signs can look like simple itchiness, which makes it hard to know when to call your veterinarian.

At Pawtown Veterinary Care, ear infections are one of the more common problems we see. This guide explains what they look like, why they happen, and how they are diagnosed and treated as part of the veterinary services we offer dogs and cats in Bend, Oregon.

Signs of an Ear Infection in Pets

Dogs get ear infections more often than cats, though both can be affected. Most of the time the infection is in the outer ear. It involves the ear canal but does not extend past the eardrum or into the middle ear, which is why pets often do not have a fever. Instead, you may notice:

• Head shaking or scratching at the ears
• Red or inflamed ears
• Discharge from the ear canals, sometimes dark brown
• Pain when you pet or touch the area around the ears

What Causes Ear Infections in Pets

Ear infections usually start when something disrupts the normal lining of the ear canal. Once the lining is disrupted, yeast or bacteria can overgrow. Both are very itchy, and both can cause discharge.

Allergies are one common cause. They can be environmental or food related, and environmental allergies involve inhaling pollen from grasses, trees, and plants. If your pet seems itchy overall, our post on why pets get itchy and whether it is allergies may help. Another reason dogs get ear infections is water in the ears.

Ear mites are another possible cause of itchy ears, but they are much less common than infections. They show up more often in cats and kittens than in dogs and puppies. For a veterinary school overview of canine ear infections, see Texas A&M’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

How Ear Infections Are Diagnosed and Treated

Ear infections are diagnosed by an exam with your veterinarian. The ears are looked at with an otoscope to check the canals for debris or foreign material. An ear cytology is also performed by taking a sample from the ears and looking at it under a microscope. This step helps make sure the right treatment is started.

Most ear infections are treated with topical medications. Some are applied in the office, while others are given at home. Sometimes oral medications are prescribed to reduce pain or inflammation.

Recurrent Ear Infections

Some dogs with recurrent ear infections need their ears flushed and cleaned periodically at home. Other dogs need allergy medications to reduce how often infections return.

Schedule an Ear Exam for Your Pet

If your dog or cat is shaking their head or scratching at their ears, our team at Pawtown Veterinary Care is here to help. You can learn more about our dog checkups and cat checkups. We are open Monday through Friday, 8 am to 5 pm. Reach out through our contact form to get your pet seen.

Ear Infection FAQs