Health A-Z
Ear Infection (Otitis Externa)
Owner and veterinary guidance with linked treatments and source citations.
Ear Infection (Otitis Externa)
Species: Dog
Breeds Affected: All Breeds (dogs with floppy ears or allergic skin disease are predisposed – e.g. Basset Hounds, Cocker Spaniels)
Clinical review: Veterinary reviewer metadata is not available yet.
Guidance by audience
Use the global Pet owner/Vet toggle in the header. Each mode shows only what that audience needs.
For Pet Owners
Quick summary
Otitis externa is an infection/inflammation of the external ear canal. It’s commonly caused by an overgrowth of bacteria or yeast, often secondary to factors like moisture (e.g. after swimming), allergies, ear mites in puppies, or excessive wax. Up to 20% of dogs experience ear infections, and recurrence is common if underlying causes (allergies, etc.) are not addressed. Track appetite, hydration, stool/urine changes, energy level, and symptom pattern over time.
Red flags
Call your vet today: Persistent or worsening symptoms. Emergency now: Collapse, severe breathing issues, seizures, uncontrolled bleeding, or severe pain.
What to expect at the vet
Diagnosis should combine history, exam findings, and condition-specific testing.
Prevention checklist
Reduce preventable risk through hygiene, vaccination/preventives when applicable, and routine veterinary follow-up.
For Veterinarians
Diagnostics
Diagnosis should combine history, exam findings, and condition-specific testing.
Differentials
Differential diagnosis considerations are not available yet.
Treatment considerations
Treatment involves thoroughly cleaning the ear canal and using appropriate medication to eliminate the infection. The veterinarian will examine and often swab the ear to determine if it’s bacterial or yeast (or both). A deep ear cleaning (often under sedation for severe cases) is performed to remove debris. Then a course of topical ear drops is prescribed, containing some combination of an antibiotic (for bacteria), antifungal (for yeast), and anti-inflammatory (steroid) to reduce swelling and itch. In severe or resistant cases, systemic treatments may be added: oral antibiotics or antifungals, and possibly oral steroids to reduce canal swelling. Underlying causes (like allergies) are addressed to prevent recurrence.
Follow-up strategy
Follow-up strategy is not available yet.
What To Do Now
Escalate care quickly if symptoms worsen, persist, or include emergency warning signs.
| Urgency | Signs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Call your vet today | Persistent or worsening symptoms | Call your veterinarian the same day for guidance and exam scheduling. |
| Emergency now | Collapse, severe breathing issues, seizures, uncontrolled bleeding, or severe pain | Seek emergency veterinary care immediately. |
Prevention Checklist
Reduce preventable risk through hygiene, vaccination/preventives when applicable, and routine veterinary follow-up.
Treatments and Medication Links
Use these medication pages as a reference for options your veterinarian may discuss.
Detailed treatment strategy remains in the Vet view to avoid duplicate narrative blocks.
No linked medications are available yet.
Find a Vet Near YouFrequently Asked Questions
FAQ content is not available for this condition yet.
Data Sources
Last updated: February 16, 2026, 11:11 AM UTC
View source list
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Owner_summary · clinical_reference
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/searchresults?query=Ear+Infection+%28Otitis+Externa%29Reference search for condition background. -
Triage · clinical_reference
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/searchresults?query=Ear+Infection+%28Otitis+Externa%29Clinical triage framing. -
Vet_summary · clinical_reference
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/searchresults?query=Ear+Infection+%28Otitis+Externa%29Clinical workflow reference. -
Diagnosis · guideline
https://capcvet.org/?s=Ear+Infection+%28Otitis+Externa%29Guideline discovery link. -
Prevention · public_health
https://www.cdc.gov/search/?query=Ear+Infection+%28Otitis+Externa%29Public health discovery link. -
Treatment_overview · guideline
https://capcvet.org/?s=Ear+Infection+%28Otitis+Externa%29Treatment guideline discovery link.
Revision History
View revision log
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structured_enrichment2026-02-16 11:11 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-16 11:00 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-15 11:11 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-15 11:00 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-14 11:10 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-14 11:00 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-13 11:11 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-13 11:00 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-13 04:45 · etl
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structured_enrichment2026-02-12 22:47 · etl
Related Media
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