My dog has ear wax buildup. Is it serious? How can I treat it?

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! Poor Boo! The most common reason for extra moisture and wax build up in the ear is an ear infection. Ear infections are caused by bacteria and/or yeast build up which can be from allergies or just extra moisture. Ideally Boo should see your Vet to have the cause identified and appropriate drops prescribed to get rid of the infection. Ear infections are treated topically in dogs and cats. You can try this ear cleaner. I would clean out the ear every other day for 2 weeks. If there is no improvement or he worsens he should see your Vet. I also attached a video on how to clean the ears. I hope this helps and I wish Boo the very best! https://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=24165 https://www.drsfostersmith.com/pic/article.cfm?dept_id=&aid=165

This sounds quite uncomfortable for Maybelline! Oftentimes a buildup of dark brown debris occurs with ear infections from bacteria and/or yeast. Ear cleaners can help get rid of the bigger pieces of debris, but only prescription based medications will treat the actual infection. Maybelline should see her vet so that her ears can be examined and have a cytology performed to determine the infectious agents causing her infection. From there, your vet will be able to prescribe the most appropriate medication for her.

Such an excessive amount of ear wax is not normal. It is likely that there is some irritation in the ear (possibly infection/fungal, bacterial or parasitical) that is causing the discharge. A terrible odor is usually a sign of a bacterial infection. I strongly recommend you take Beethoven to your vet for an ear exam, ear cleaning and, if needed, treatment.

This could be a sign of an ear infection in Max. Ear infections typically result from yeast or bacteria in dogs and can be itchy and painful. I'd recommend having Max examined by a veterinarian so his ears can be checked out. The veterinarian can take an ear swab to determine what type of infection is present and what medication can be used to treat it. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

There are a number of ear cleaners on the market, both OTC and prescription-based. For heavy wax buildup I like Cerúmenes, which should be available from your vet. I’m not familiar with cases of dogs that have so much wax they need surgery to remove it, so I wonder if your dog actually has recurring ear infections. If this is the case it’s not unusual for them to need deep cleanings under anesthesia. In these cases usually allergies are he underlying cause and these must be controlled in order to get the amount of debris in the ears under control.

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!

The yellow pus is compatible with a bacterial infection of the ear canal. Immediate check up and antibiotic ear drops are required to confirm this clinical suspicion and treat appropriately. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further. If this answer was helpful please let us know, this will be used to improve our service!