Why does my pet keep getting ear infections? What's the best treatment?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. The most common reason for scratching in the abcence of infection: allergies. It could be food related, environmental allergens, or even an allergic reaction to mites or mosquitos. Sometimes longer term treatment with the ointment, systemic medications, and mite/flea/tick prevention is needed so talk with your vet.

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!

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I’m sorry to hear that Bob is scratching his ear. It is possible that he has an ear infection, likely bacterial or yeast in origin. I recommend having him seen by your veterinarian to have him/her perform an ear smear and cytology to look at the cells and determine what type of infection is present. This way, he/she can prescribe the most appropriate treatment. I hope this is helpful!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! The best medicine to treat an ear infection will depend on which type of infection is affecting Pepper. In general a good ear cleanser just to start by cleaning the ears is epi-otic advanced which you may obtain online. That is just to clean the ears though generally further therapy is needed dependent on what type of infection it is. This is something that can be easily determined by sampling the exudate and looking at it under the microscope. The good news is that most of the time it does respond to the right therapy. I recommend that you have Pepper evaluated by your veterinarian for this assessment and to start therapy. Good luck!

Hi, thanks for using PetCoach! I would recommend having your vet look in to the ear canals with an otoscope. Sometimes there is discharge deeper in the ear canal that can not be seen from the outside. If that is the case the Vet can use a Q-tip safely to remove some of the wax and look under the microscope to see if it is a yeast or bacterial infection. Some dogs will shake and scratch with even mild overgrowth of bacteria or yeast. Otherwise she may just be itchy due to allergies and you can try an antihistamine. See the links below. I wish you the best! https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/claritin/ https://www.petcoach.co/canigive/dog/zyrtec/

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to Diesel's problem has recurred. Given his age the two most like underlying issues are allergies leading to uncontrolled inflammation or a polyp or other blockage of the ear canal. Either can lead to an infection of bacteria, yeast, or acombination of the two which will make the inflammation worse. As the inflammation worsens the infection will worsen, so it becomes a self-perpetuating cycle. Ears and skin can be very frustrating, so frequent rechecks and repeated testing via cytology (microscopic look from a swab from the ears) are needed to maximize treatment benefits. Hope this helps!

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