Why Does My Dog Keep Getting Ear Infections?
You’ve cleaned the ears. You’ve used medication. Things improve.
Then a few weeks or months later, the scratching, smell and discharge return.
Recurring ear problems can be frustrating, but the important question isn’t only:
“How do we treat this infection?”
It’s also:
“Why does it keep happening?”
What does an ear infection look like?
Otitis externa involves inflammation or infection of the external ear canal and is one of the more commonly encountered infections in dogs.
Signs can include:
- Head shaking
- Scratching at the ears
- Redness
- Pain
- Bad odour
- Black or yellow discharge
With longstanding inflammation, the ear canal can eventually become thickened and narrowed.
Why do some dogs keep getting them?
Sometimes moisture, ear anatomy or foreign material contributes.
But recurrent ear disease may also have an underlying driver, including allergic skin disease.
Simply repeatedly treating secondary bacteria or yeast without identifying contributing factors can mean the cycle continues.
What should owners avoid?
Avoid repeatedly putting leftover ear medication into a painful ear without having it assessed.
Different problems can look similar from the outside, and the eardrum and ear canal may need examination before appropriate treatment is selected.
Likewise, aggressive cleaning can make an already inflamed ear even more uncomfortable.
What can you do?
Get familiar with what your dog’s normal ears look and smell like.
Then changes become much easier to recognise.
If your dog swims frequently or has recurrent ear problems, ask your veterinarian whether a preventive cleaning routine is appropriate for that particular dog.
What We Often See in Practice?
An ear infection is sometimes only the visible part of the problem.
When infections repeatedly return, finding the underlying reason can be more important than simply finding another bottle of ear drops.
One Thing Every Pet Owner Should Remember
When an ear problem keeps returning, ask why—not only how to treat it.