10/30/2026
If your dog shakes his head, scratches at his ears, or you catch a ye**ty smell, that is likely an ear infection: about 7 to 16 percent of dogs are affected yearly. Cats get them too, with ear mites a bigger suspect.
Here is what owners most often miss: the infection is usually a symptom, not the root problem. In dogs with recurring ear trouble, allergies are the underlying cause in an estimated 43 to 75 percent of cases. Trapped moisture from swimming or baths, ear mites, grass awns and foxtails, and narrow canals in floppy-eared breeds also contribute. Fall is the worst time for fleas, and flea allergy plus seasonal allergies are major drivers of ear trouble.
Signs: head shaking, scratching at the ears, redness, odor or discharge. Dark, crumbly wax often means mites in cats; yellow-brown goo points to yeast or bacteria. Subtler ones: a ye**ty smell, wax buildup, flinching when you touch the ear, or ears that flare again right after the drops end. Violent shaking can tear vessels in the ear flap, creating a hematoma that needs drainage.
About one in four dogs with an ear infection has at least one recurrence, which is why the first one deserves a full workup. Never use leftover drops: with a ruptured eardrum, the wrong medication can cause permanent damage, including deafness.
Adams County Veterinary Services in West Union, Ohio offers otoscopic exams, cytology, ear cleaning and individualized plans, backed by Dr. Dan Meakin's 37+ years. Keep ears dry, use only a vet-recommended cleaner, never cotton swabs down the canal. Our heartworm test also screens for Lyme, ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis, and most preventives cover intestinal parasites. Parasites are our one exception to kindness for all creatures.
Has your pet battled ear infections? Tell us what helped.
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Email us: [email protected] or Call us: 937-779-3032
