My dog got water in his ears while bathing. Will he get an infection?

Usually a small amount of water won't cause any issues. Rarely it can lead to a minor ear infection with yeast. If you notice your dog's ear is getting red, painful, or swollen then have your veterinarian do an exam. A fever is extremely rare with ear infections.

Yes, moisture can promote bacterial or fungal overgrowth in a dark, warm ear canal. To prevent this, place cotton balls in the ears before the bath. Don't forget to remove them afterwards. You can also use a cotton ball in the ear canal while tipping his head down to drain excess water. There are drying agents you can purchase from your veterinarian or a pet store as well. Isis should be examined by your veterinarian to confirm and treat any existing infection. A swab of the ear can be examined in the clinic and medication can be dispensed based on the diagnosis.

I would actually be more concerned that Zeke has developed an ear infection. It's possible that the moisture from the bath caused an overgrowth of yeast or bacteria, but it's also possible that he has an underlying allergy leading to an infection. I'd recommend seeing your vet so they can examine his ear. They might recommend taking a sample for cytology to look for yeast and/or bacteria under the microscope. They can prescribe medications if it does seem consistent with an infection.

I am sorry to hear about your concern for your cat! You can try using some cotton balls or cotton rounds and placing them into the ears to absorb any excess water. Do not place anything down into the inside of the ear, such as a qtip, as this can cause more problems. In most cases, a little water in the ears will not cause an issue but occasionally may result in an ear infection from the increased moisture. You can pick up an ear cleaner at your vet or the pet store which have chemical properties that dry out the ear if she still seems to be shaking her ears tomorrow.

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!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! You can try putting cotton in his ears to prevent excessive water getting into the canal. The best way is to clean the ears with an ear cleaner with alcohol (not straight alcohol) to dry the water after. Kisses to Tux!

This looks like it could have an early infection. I would recommend having your veterinarian do an exam to make sure there isn't anything going on like a middle ear infection. Since you've caught it early hopefully only a short course of topical medication will be needed.