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My dog shakes his head and has black goo in his ear. What's wrong?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Brittany | Male | unneutered | 50 lbs

My dog shakes his head and has black tar goo in his ear

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Linda G, MS, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on January 10th, 2018

Hello. I am so sorry that Buddy is having problems with his ears. Shaking & the discharge are all indications of an ear infection from bacteria or yeast organisms, inflammation from allergies ( food or inhalant ), or ear mites. Your veterinarian can look in the ears & obtain samples to examine under the microscope. Depending on what is seen will dictate treatment to clear up the problem quickly. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

2Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS
Veterinarian
Published on March 11th, 2018
This build up in Marley's ears isn't normal, and it usually a sign of an ear infection. It could be that he is suffering from ear mites, but ear infections can also be caused by bacteria or yeast. He sounds very uncomfortable, so my advice is to take him into a vet first thing in the morning. The vet can examine the debris in his ears to determine what is causing this itching, and can prescribe a treatment for him. It's very important to have him see as soon as possible to get the correct diagnosis and treatment as leaving this untreated can lead to hearing loss. Call the vet in the morning for an appointment. Good luck, I hope this helps!
2Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Isabelle Roese, DVM, CVA
Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist
Published on August 29th, 2017
It might be a mild yeast ear infection. I does not take a lot of yeast to make it very itchy. Less likely, you might be dealing with ear mites. I would suggest a vet exam, and a ear cytology. A ear cytology will tell you very quickly if you are dealing with a yeast and or bacterial infection or even ear mites. It only takes a small sample of the discharge to go on the slide and staining agents. If an ear infection is confirmed. Ear medicine will be prescribed for Bailey. If you are not dealing with an ear infection, then the veterinarian may have a better idea once he or she examine the ears closely. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This is possibly due to allergies. It really comes down to figuring out what is causing his allergies so that they can be treated or the specific allergen avoided. There are many things that can cause allergies though in most cases they can be broken down into 3 big categories: flea, food and environmental allergies. Allergies are usually worked up in a stepwise fashion starting with flea allergies as this is the easiest and cheapest to take care of. If not on a flea preventative, then it would be a good idea to get started on one. If already on one then it would be a good idea to change to something else (there are many new products out in the market). If not improved in 1-3 months then it is time to move on and check for food allergies by switching to a novel diet (new protein and new carbohydrate). If that does not seem to be the issue then you are left out having to check for environmental allergies which require blood and/or skin tests. Allergies can be very frustrating to deal with at first but so rewarding at the end when we are able to treat them effectively!

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