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My dog has a lot of smelly ear wax and odor in one ear. Is it serious?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Great Pyrenees | Male | neutered | 90 lbs

I just discovered that my great pyrenees dog (around 11 years old) has a huge amount of ear wax comming from the ear he lays on all day. While the other ear seems fine the one he lays on has the earwax as well as a terrible odor comming from it what should I do?

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on October 11th, 2018

Such an excessive amount of ear wax is not normal. It is likely that there is some irritation in the ear (possibly infection/fungal, bacterial or parasitical) that is causing the discharge. A terrible odor is usually a sign of a bacterial infection. I strongly recommend you take Beethoven to your vet for an ear exam, ear cleaning and, if needed, treatment.
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