My dog's ear has a foul odor despite cleaning. What can I do?

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. The odor you are smelling could be due to an ear infection or ear mites. I would recommend having a veterinarian examine the ears so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is likely due to an ear infection. I recommend that you have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Your veterinarian would be able to check what type of infection is present and treat accordingly. Usually this resolves with topical therapy. Good luck and have a good night!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is likely an ear infection and I am afraid that there is likely an underlying allergy causing him to scratch a lot and continue to cause further trauma to the ear. I highly recommend that you have him evaluated as soon as possible as this is likely causing him a lot of discomfort. They would be able to diagnose this and start therapy. Medications such as steroids may help decrease the itch. You may use the e-collar to prevent further self-trauma. Best of luck!

If the ears have never been tested or swabbed at the veterinarian's clinic, then I would recommend having this done. Sometimes there is only a small amount of debris in the ear canals with a mild infection and the ears do not always appear red or inflamed. A small amount of yeast can cause stinky ears. If the ears are clean of infection, then I would recommend using a weekly ear cleaner such as Epi Otic or Zymox otic cleanser. I hope this helps! Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Copper. It looks like he has an ear infection. Ear infections in dogs are commonly caused by yeast or bacteria. He does need to see a vet for this to have it treated. Please do not try any "home remedies" you may find on the internet. Some of them are frankly dangerous and make things so much worse. Have him seen by a vet first thing Monday. I hope this helps!

I'm so sorry that Shadow's ear is hurting. From the appearance of the picture, I presume that the discharge is coming from the ear canal. Unfortunately, there isn't any way to determine what is causing an ear infection except for performing an ear cytology. An ear cytology is when your vet takes a sample of the discharge from the ear and looks at it under a microscope. They can then determine if the infection is caused by yeast or bacteria or both and determine the best way to treat it. I wish I had another answer for you, but I think it's time to take Shadow to the vet for an examination and ear cytology. I would not recommend cleaning the ear before taking him in, so your vet can get an accurate sample of the ear discharge. Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The short answer is not necessarily. That is especially true if if Buddy's ear infection is severe and actually not sensitive to the ear cleanser or antibiotics used initially which would be required if they as I recommend that you have Buddy evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Your veterinarian would be able to check what type of infection is present and treat accordingly. Usually this resolves with topical therapy. Good luck and have a good day!