Petco Text Logo
Petco Pet Logo

  • Two Easy Ways to Start Earning Rewards!

    rewards header
    Become a member today!
    Members-only pricing and offers, personalized care notifications, Vital Care points back on every purchase and more!
    Already a member? Sign in
    Petco Pay LogoBecome a credit card member today!

    Earn 2X Pals Rewards points at Petco
    when you use Petco Pay!

    APPLY NOW
    Learn More About Petco Pay Benefits

My dog has painful ear sores after infections. What can I do?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Toy Poodle | Female | spayed | 13 years and 4 months old | 9 lbs

My toy poodle has had consistent ear infections the past 6 months. Our vet has given her Motazol each time and it DOES clear up the infection. However, even though she currently does not have an ear infection, she does have ulcerated sores in her ears. They must be so unbelievably painful, because she goes crazy if we try to put Neosporin on them, and even have to muzzle her. The vet told us to do this. This is not helping the sores at all. What else can we do to heal these sores?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Dr. Strydom, DVM

Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on August 15th, 2022

Hello, thank you for using PetCoach.

I'm sorry that Lucy is having this problem. It is odd that the infection has cleared up but she still has sores on the ear flap. Is she scratching at the ears? If so, you really need to get her a cone collar to wear to prevent scratching. As long as she is scratching them, the will not heal. You can get a soft sided cone similar to this one:

( https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09RV2VG7Y )

You can certainly continue to apply Neosporin and it should not hurt her. She is probably just very sensitive and expecting the ears to hurt when you touch them. If you can apply the Neosporin twice daily for one week consistently the sores should heal. If they do not heal in that time frame, you need to take her back to your vet to figure out what is going on or go to a different vet for a second opinion.

Hope this helps. Best wishes.
Vote Icon3Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Ricardo Fernandez, DVM

    Veterinarian, Veterinary Oncology Resident

    Published on December 31st, 2017

    Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This looks like a mild focus of infection or inflammation. It does look relatively mild. I would recommend that you continue with the treatments that you have been using prescribed by your veterinarian for another week. If no improvement, then have have her evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They may focus on local therapy with a topical medications. Good luck and happy new year!

    Vote Icon

    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Smart Picks for Smart Questions

Vet Q & A
My dog has an open sore on her ear. What should I do to heal it?
It sounds like Ruby had an injury or insect bite that caused the sore. A skin sore should be cleaned with antibacterial soap, rinsed and then apply a thin film of antibacterial ointment on it to prevent infection. If Ruby is scratching it that will slow the healing. Use a restraint collar if needed to prevent her from rubbing or scratching it. Most skin sores heal in about a week. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Ruby.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Training & Behavior
My dog's leg sore won't heal, she keeps licking it. What should I do?
Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. I would recommend a plastic cone to go around Kali's head to prevent her from licking / chewing at the sore. She will likely need an ointment more effective than neosporin. I would recommend buying a plastic cone at the pet store and using an ointment such as Zymox topica ointment. If the sore worsens I would then schedule an examination with your veterinarian so that the most appropriate treatment recommendations can be made. The vet can prescribe a better ointment than neosporin to help prevent infection and relieve any inflammation. 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.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
My dog's ear cut looks infected. How can I help it heal faster?
Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If it is healing and she has stopped scratching I would continue your treatment plan until the area has scabbed over. If it fails to heal I recommend having your Vet examine it and see if antibiotics are needed. I hope this helps and I wish Winnie the best!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
How to heal my dog's nose cut that keeps reopening and bleeding?
Hi, I'm Dr. Johnson. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Poor Lucy! The best way for the area to heal is to prevent Lucy from rubbing her nose. I'd recommend getting an Elizabethan Collar (aka "The Cone of Shame") and then apply some triple antibiotic on the area twice daily. Keep using the Cone until the area has healed. You can get Elizabethan collars at your vet and some pet stores. Good luck!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
Why does my pet keep getting ear infections? What's the best treatment?
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!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Vet Q & A
How to treat a dog's ear sore that won't heal and scab keeps falling off?
Annie is adorable! This lesion certainly could be irritation from an injury, but could also be related to ringworm or mange. You can try cleaning the area with an antiseptic solution (diluted chlorhexidine or betadine) 1-2 times per day, taking care to rinse and dry thoroughly. Also keep an e-collar (cone) on Annie until the lesion heals, because it will not heal if she is scratching or rubbing at the lesion. That said, if this does not start to improve in another week, Annie will need to go to her vet for further evaluation. The vet may need to perform skin scrapes (to check for the mites that cause mange) or a fungal culture (to look for ringworm). I hope that all goes well!
Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Health & Wellness
Dog ear infection not healing after treatment, what should I do?
Hello. Otomax is a broad spectrum medication the contains an antibiotic, antifungal as well as a steroid. It is possible that the steroid is preventing the lesion from healing. I would talk to your vet about this & switching to another antibiotic such as silver sulfadiazine. If it still does not heal, the lesion may need to be cultured or biopsied to identify why it is not healing. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Related Searches

Dog Ear CareDog Ear & Eye MedicineDog Ear & Eye CareDog Health & WellnessAntifungal Medication for DogsDog Eye CareDog Medicine and PrescriptionsPrescription Dog AntibioticsDog Recovery Cones & Surgical SuitsDog Pain Medicine & ReliefDog Bandages & Wound CareDog First Aid & RecoveryCat Eyedrops & Ear MedicationDog Pain Relief & Arthritis MedsPrescription Shampoo for DogsDog Allergy Medicine & Itch ReliefPrescription Horse Ear & Eye CareCat Ear & Eye CareDog Pill CapsulesPrescription Allergy Medicine for Dogs
Have A Vet Question?

Book an appointment with the pros – our expert vets are here to help.

Book Now

Share

Styled arrow button