My dog is scratching and shaking one ear, could it be an infection?

Related Answers from Veterinarians

• Answered By Rodrigo Roca, DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on August 30th, 2018

  Hello, sorry to hear about Mia. The signs you are describing are suspicious for an ear infection. This is different than dry skin. Ear infections tend to cause moist skin with even discharge, a foul smell, pain, head shaking, and ear scratching.
  
  Most often, pets require an examination under sedation and medications to treat this.
  
  Ear infections can be secondary to allergies, foreign bodies, or breed related (cockers, beagles).
  
  Contact your veterinarian if Mia continues to show signs and have her evaluated. Hope this helps and best of luck

  

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• Answered By Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA

  Veterinarian, Certified Dog Trainer

  Published on July 5th, 2019

  Yes, this is very possible - excessive head-shaking is a very common sign of an ear infection in dogs. Redness, a foul odor, or any visible "gunk" or discharge in the ear canal are also symptoms to watch for.
  
  If you think your pup may have an ear infection, I would recommend taking her to the vet for an exam. Your veterinarian can examine her ears with an otoscope to determine if there is a problem, and will prescribe medicated drops or ointment to treat the infection if one is found.

  

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• Answered By Maria DVM

  Veterinarian

  Published on December 21st, 2017

  It sounds like Max may have an ear infection.
  
  I recommend having a veterinarian confirm this and may sure his eardrum is intact. Then they can prescribe appropriate medication for him.
  
  Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

  

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• Answered By David Darvishian

  Veterinarian

  Published on January 3rd, 2018

  Hi and thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Sorry to hear about Minnie. Sounds like she is suffering from an external ear infection (otitis externa) most commonly associated with allergies. It is also possible that Minnie has gotten water in that ear, has a foreign body in there (hair, other) or has just developed a primary ear infection not associated with an inciting cause such as allergies. I would advise taking her to your veterinarian. They will gather a history, perform an exam including the ear and then based on their findings advise you on a diagnostic/treatment plan. Your vet will most likely do an ear smear and look at the discharge under a microscope. They will be looking for ear mites, bacteria, and yeast. A malodorous yellow discharge is indicative of a severe bacterial infection. Once a cause is identified a treatment plan can be tailored to treat that cause. Possible treatments could be ear cleaning/flush (with or without sedation depending on the severity), ear drops/ointments, oral medicines for infection, inflammation, and itching, sometimes an e-collar to prevent scratching of the ear, etc. It's important to stop the itching quickly since shaking of the head and scratching the ear can lead to a hematoma inside the ear flap. If allergies are suspected your vet can discuss management of whatever allergies they suspect. They may recommend allergy testing also to identify what the allergens are that are causing problems for Minnie. Early treatment is important with external ear infections since they can migrate past the eardrum and become a middle/inner ear infection. Good luck with Minnie
  

  

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