Dog Ear Infections: When Burlington Owners Should See the Vet

The August calls sound almost the same. A dog comes home from the lake, shakes its head a few times, and by evening won’t leave one ear alone.

Someone on Brant Street picks up the phone and describes a smell. Then a head that tilts, a paw that keeps digging, a dog that flinches when the ear gets touched.

By mid-August we hear a version of this most weeks. Warm, humid days and all that swimming send water into ear canals that would rather stay dry.

Call us if your dog’s ear stays red, smelly, itchy, or painful for more than a day, or if you see discharge or constant head shaking. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, otitis externa, meaning inflammation of the ear canal’s lining, is the most common ear-canal disorder in dogs, and its signs include head shaking, a foul odour, and discharge.

If this is happening right now and your dog has a sudden head tilt, is losing balance, stumbling, or has an ear swollen shut and clearly painful, call us at (905) 336-4002. After hours, you can reach the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661 or find urgent options on our after-hours care page.

How do I know if my dog has an ear infection?

Most owners notice the behaviour before anything else. The Merck Veterinary Manual lists head shaking, a foul odour, red or swollen skin, scratching, ear discharge, and scaly skin as common signs. A dog that suddenly guards one ear, or leaves a smell on a favourite cushion, is usually telling you the canal is irritated.

The ear itself gives you the clearest read. Lift the flap and look for redness, a waxy or dark discharge, or a yeasty, sour smell that wasn’t there last week.

Pain is the sign we take most seriously. If your dog cries, pulls away hard, or won’t let you near the ear at all, that’s a reason to book a visit rather than wait it out.

We see the summer version of this constantly at our Brant Street clinic, usually a week or two after the weather turns hot and the swimming picks up. A dog that spent the weekend in a Halton backyard pool and starts shaking its head on Monday fits the pattern almost perfectly.

Can a dog ear infection go away on its own?

It’s not something we’d count on. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that bacterial and yeast ear infections usually need repeated vet rechecks until no infection shows, often 2 to 4 weeks. A mild irritation might calm down, but an established infection tends to dig in and get harder to clear the longer it waits.

The trouble is what’s growing in there. The Merck Veterinary Manual explains that the yeast Malassezia pachydermatis lives in small numbers in healthy dog ears but multiplies quickly once otitis externa sets in.

Home fixes can backfire, too. The same manual warns against irritating home remedies such as vinegar mixtures, which can worsen the swelling and secretions you’re trying to settle.

If you’ve already looked in the ear and something seems off, that’s the right moment to have us take a proper look. A quick exam and, when needed, a look under the microscope through our diagnostics service tells us whether we’re dealing with yeast, bacteria, or something else.

What happens if a dog ear infection goes untreated?

The infection can move deeper. The Merck Veterinary Manual reports that middle ear infection usually spreads from the outer canal and is found in over half of dogs with recurrent outer-ear inflammation. Left alone, a surface problem can reach the middle and inner ear, where the stakes climb quickly.

The inner ear is where it gets serious. The Merck Veterinary Manual describes otitis interna, an inner-ear infection, causing a head tilt toward the affected side, along with balance and coordination trouble.

Because nerves to the face pass through the middle ear, an affected dog can develop facial paralysis. The same manual notes that long-term inner-ear inflammation with a ruptured eardrum has a lower chance of full recovery.

Treatment also gets longer once the infection is deep. For otitis media or interna, the manual reports vets commonly prescribe oral or injectable antibiotics for 3 to 6 weeks.

A dog that’s stumbling, circling, or holding its head to one side needs to be seen promptly, and our critical care team is set up for exactly those cases.

Why does my dog keep getting ear infections?

Recurring infections usually point to an underlying cause. The Merck Veterinary Manual names allergies, including atopic dermatitis and food reactions, as a primary driver of ear disease. Parasites, trapped debris, and a dog’s own ear shape can all play a part, which is why the same ear keeps flaring.

Atopic dermatitis is a plain way of saying environmental allergy, the kind that shows up as itchy skin and ears. When the allergy flares, the ear canal gets inflamed and becomes a friendlier place for yeast and bacteria to grow.

Ear shape matters too. The Merck Veterinary Manual lists floppy, pendulous ear flaps, narrow canals, and hairy canals among the traits that make some dogs more prone to trouble.

Prevalence backs this up. Merck Animal Health reports that up to 1 in 7 dogs seen in practice will develop otitis externa at some point, with environmental allergies the most common cause.

If your dog is a repeat customer for ear trouble, chasing the allergy usually matters more than treating the ear over and over. Our allergies and dermatology service exists for that longer-game problem.

Can swimming cause ear infections in dogs?

Water is a big part of our summer caseload. The Merck Veterinary Manual lists excessive moisture in the ears, from the environment or swimming, as a predisposing factor for otitis externa. A warm, damp canal after a lake or pool day is exactly the setting where an infection likes to start.

This is why August is our ear season. Burlington dogs spend the summer in Lake Ontario off the Aldershot shoreline and in the city’s leash-free parks, and the City of Burlington runs several off-leash areas, including Bayview Park near the water.

Drying makes a real difference. The Merck Veterinary Manual advises keeping water out of the ears during baths and using vet-recommended drying agents for dogs that swim often.

A soft towel and a gentle wipe of the outer ear after a swim is a small habit that saves a lot of Halton dogs a miserable week in August.

Can I treat my dog’s ear infection at home?

Cleaning has a place; guessing at treatment doesn’t. Cornell’s Riney Canine Health Center recommends a routine ear cleaning after the ears get wet, such as after swimming or bathing. But treating a suspected infection without knowing what’s in the ear, or whether the eardrum is intact, can do more harm than good.

Cornell’s Riney Canine Health Center is clear on technique. Skip the cotton swabs, which can push debris deeper into the canal, and stop right away if your dog seems to be in pain during a cleaning.

More is not better. The same centre notes that overcleaning healthy ears can cause irritation on its own, so a routine clean is only needed when you actually see dirt or debris.

There’s a safety reason to leave medicated drops to us. The Merck Veterinary Manual stresses the importance of confirming the eardrum is intact before any topical treatment goes in, and that’s not something you can check at home.

So clean gently, dry after swims, and leave the diagnosis and the medicated drops to us.

How long does it take for a dog ear infection to clear up?

Give it a few weeks, and expect a recheck. The Merck Veterinary Manual reports that bacterial and yeast infections usually need repeated visits until the ear is clear, often 2 to 4 weeks. Long-term cases can run months, and a small number of dogs need ongoing management for life.

The recheck is the part owners are tempted to skip. The ear looks better, the smell fades, and the drops get set aside a few days early.

That’s often how a mild infection becomes a stubborn one. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that deeper middle or inner-ear infections commonly need 3 to 6 weeks of antibiotics, a much longer road than an early outer-ear case.

Finishing the full course and coming back for that last look is what actually closes the file. It’s the difference between one visit in August and a recurring problem that follows your dog into the fall.

Frequently asked questions

What does a dog ear infection smell like?

Owners often describe a sour, yeasty, or downright foul odour coming from one ear. The Merck Veterinary Manual lists a foul odour among the common signs of otitis externa, usually alongside head shaking, redness, and discharge. If a smell you can’t ignore is coming from your dog’s ear, it’s a good reason to have us look.

Do certain dog breeds get more ear infections?

Yes. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that breed patterns for ear infections mirror those for skin and allergic disease, with allergies common in retrievers and terriers. Ear shape adds to it, since floppy, pendulous flaps and narrow or hairy canals trap moisture and debris more easily than open, upright ears.

Should I clean my dog’s ears after a swim in Lake Ontario?

A gentle dry and wipe is a good habit. Cornell’s Riney Canine Health Center recommends a routine ear cleaning after the ears get wet, such as after swimming or bathing. For Burlington dogs that swim through July and August, drying the ears afterward helps keep moisture from settling in the canal.

Are cotton swabs safe for cleaning dog ears?

No. Cornell’s Riney Canine Health Center advises against cotton swabs because they can push debris deeper into the ear canal. If your dog seems to be in pain during any cleaning, the same centre says to stop and check with your veterinarian rather than push through it.

How often should healthy dog ears be cleaned?

Less than you might think. Cornell’s Riney Canine Health Center notes that for a dog with healthy ears, a routine clean is only needed when you see dirt or debris, since overcleaning can irritate the ears. Dogs with floppy ears may need cleaning a little more often.

Is a sudden head tilt an emergency?

Treat it as urgent. The Merck Veterinary Manual associates a head tilt toward one side, plus balance and coordination trouble, with inner-ear infection. Call us at (905) 336-4002 or reach after-hours care if your dog suddenly tilts its head, stumbles, or seems disoriented, since deeper infections need prompt attention.

If your dog has been shaking its head since the last swim, a quick ear check is worth the trip. Our team on Brant Street would rather catch a small irritation now than treat a deep infection a few weeks from now.

Request an appointment

This article is educational and isn’t veterinary advice or a substitute for an exam. If you’re worried about your pet right now, call us at (905) 336-4002 or your nearest emergency veterinary hospital.

Sources

Veterinary manuals and clinical references

1. Merck Veterinary Manual (Dog Owners), “Ear Infections and Otitis Externa in Dogs.” https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/ear-disorders-of-dogs/ear-infections-and-otitis-externa-in-dogs
2. Merck Veterinary Manual, “Otitis Externa in Animals.” https://www.merckvetmanual.com/ear-disorders/otitis-externa/otitis-externa-in-animals
3. Merck Veterinary Manual (Dog Owners), “Otitis Media and Interna (Middle and Inner Ear Infections) in Dogs.” https://www.merckvetmanual.com/dog-owners/ear-disorders-of-dogs/otitis-media-and-interna-middle-and-inner-ear-infections-in-dogs

University veterinary resources

1. Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Riney Canine Health Center, “How to Clean Your Dog’s Ears.” https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-topics/how-clean-your-dogs-ears

Veterinary science and prevalence

1. Merck Animal Health, “Canine Otitis Externa in Dogs: Prevalence, Symptoms and Care.” https://www.merck-animal-health.com/news-and-insights/featured-stories/canine-otitis-externa-in-dogs-prevalence-symptoms-and-care/

Local resources

1. City of Burlington, animal services and leash-free parks. https://www.burlington.ca/