Dog shaking head after ear infection. Allergies or reapply meds?

Please do not use Sudocrem, as it contains zinc oxide, which would be toxic if she ingests it. If there is a bacterial or yeast infection present in the ear canal, which may be the case especially if she's shaking her head and scratching, you should have your vet examine her. Some ear solutions and medications can damage the middle and/or inner ear if the eardrum has been damaged. Your vet will likely be able to see the eardrum when he or she uses an otoscope to look in the ears. Sometimes the canal is very swollen and /or has a large amount of debris that prevents us from being able to see the eardrum, but we should always attempt to verify that the eardrum is ok before treating the ear, so as to not damage the middle or inner ear. If she does not seem to be shaking or scratching, it may be just the pinna (ear flap) that is affected, in which case I would recommend you try using [Zymox](https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/zymox-spray-with-5-hydrocortisone), as it may get things cleared up. If you aren't seeing improvement in 3-5 days at home, take her to the vet. Thanks for asking PetCoach!

The main reason infections do not clear is they are not treated for long enough or it may have not been the best medicine to treat it due to resistance. Ideally she needs to be rechecked to see if a culture is needed or oral medicine help. You can try to get an ear cleaner to help keep it clean. IF the ear persistently itch then you may want to consider a food allergy

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.

Ear infections are relatively common in both cats and dogs. Some are more persistent than others. As you said, your vet took a look at the contents of the ear to determine what course of treatment might be required. Without a true bacterial / fungal culture, I could only speculate as to what the exact organism might be. The majority of ear medications, tresaderm included, are traditionally quite broad spectrum in an attempt to cover as many bugs as possible. The reason Fatboy is shaking his head is likely a combination of both the drops and the discomfort associated with the infection. If after six days of effective treatment, you are not seeing any improvement at all, you might want to call you vet and let him know. He may want to obtain a new sample to see if any progress is being made. If not, a true culture could be sent out to better target his therapy and change medications if needed be.

I’m sorry to hear Tuffy is uncomfortable. Head shaking is common in ear infections. Gentazol is a good ear medication for ear infections and after applying ear medication. When using ear medication, remember a few things: Clean the ear with an ear cleaner made for dogs before each application and use only as directed on the prescription. If no improvement in 3 days or if worsening in any way, see you vet as it may be something else such as a foreign body (bug, plant, other) stuck in the ear canal, or something else. Good luck!

The signs you are describing are indicative of an ear infection. Sometimes, these can resolve with topical over the counter treatment, but antibiotics or antifungal medication may be necessary. I recommend using an ear cleaning solution or wipes to clean the ear once or twice a day. There are many options available in pet stores, but look out for something with a mild acid in it (salicylic acid or apple cider vinegar are good ingredients). If the condition does not begin to resolve on its own, Baloo may need to be seen by his vet for prescription medications. I hope this helps and that all is well!

Yeast skin and ear infections are common secondary infection with allergies or other skin issues. When dogs scratch or chew it can set them up for yeast to grow which then causes more irritation. Shaking his head may be a sign of pain or itchiness from ear infection. https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/yeast-dermatitis-in-dogs https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/ear-infections-in-dogs-otitis-externa In some cases antifungal shampoo may help resolve yeast problems but often systemic and topical medications are needed as well. Thank you for using PetCoach.