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My dog has an ear wound. What home care can I give before a vet?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 2 years old | 28 lbs

My dog has a wound on his ear. How can I best treat it at home?

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Andrea

Veterinarian

Published on September 2nd, 2019

Although this seems like an easy question to answer, this might actually be complicated. This wound on an ear could be from many things- is he shaking his head because of an ear infection? Is he scratching because of allergies? Has he recently had a rabies vaccine or been ill? You may not be able to treat this wound without finding out about these possible problems. Also, you may need antibiotics, steroids or other special meds to get this to heal.
At home, you can keep the area clean, use a warm washcloth to remove the crusting and apply something like Neosporin to the wound.
Other than that, you need to see your vet for more diagnostics and treatment.

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Megan, DVM, CVA
Veterinarian
Published on February 11th, 2019
You can put a little Neosporin or coconut oil to help soften them and help them heal. I would try to keep her from flapping her ears too much or scratching them. if she is flapping them a lot, you can buy a "no flap ear wrap" online. If she is scratching it a lot, I would put a cone collar on her.

If they aren't healing or really bothering her, I would have your vet take a look at them to ensure she doesn't need antibiotics or pain meds. I would not give any human pain meds as most are toxic to dogs. I hope this helps!
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Tomasz Wnuk
Veterinarian
Published on June 4th, 2020
Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. There is a skin wound, which is possibly infected. Wounds in this area are often self-inflicted by cats by excessive scratching. You should clean it twice a day with 4% chlorhexidine solution (available from pharmacies) for 3-4 days. If the would does not get better, you will have to take Snowflake to your local vets. If your cat is scratching the ear excessively, he may have ear canal infection and he would need a course of ear drops with antibiotics from your regular vets.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By David Elbeze, DVM, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Published on May 30th, 2017
It's very likely that he has done it to himself by scratching his ear, which usually happens when a cat has an ear infection. you need to take him to the vet in order to get it checked and treated, he will probably need an antibiotic ear drops.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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