If your dog has had one ear infection after another, you’re not alone.
Recurring ear infections are one of the most common reasons dogs visit the veterinarian. Many owners become frustrated because the ears seem to improve with medication, only for the infection to return a few weeks or months later.
At Cottage Vet Clinic, one of the first things we explain is that ear infections themselves are rarely the actual problem. They are usually a symptom of an underlying condition. Unless we identify and manage that underlying cause, the infection is likely to keep coming back.
The good news is that with a thorough investigation and the right treatment plan, most dogs can enjoy long periods free from painful ear infections.
What Is an Ear Infection?
The medical term for an ear infection is otitis externa, which simply means inflammation of the outer ear canal.
The ear canal becomes inflamed, creating the perfect environment for bacteria and yeast to multiply.
An ear infection can affect one ear or both, and may vary from mild irritation to severe, painful disease.
What Are the Signs of an Ear Infection?
Dogs are often very good at hiding discomfort, but common signs include:
- Constant scratching at the ears
- Head shaking
- Rubbing the ears against furniture or the floor
- Red, swollen ears
- A bad smell from the ears
- Brown, yellow or black discharge
- Pain when the ears are touched
- Holding the head to one side
In severe or long-standing cases, dogs may even lose their balance or become reluctant to eat because opening the mouth can be painful.
Why Does My Dog Keep Getting Ear Infections?
This is probably the most important question to answer.
While bacteria and yeast are responsible for the infection itself, something usually allows them to overgrow in the first place.
Finding that cause is the key to preventing future infections.
Allergies
By far the most common cause of recurring ear infections is allergic skin disease.
Dogs with environmental allergies (atopy) or food allergies often develop inflamed skin inside the ear canal. Once inflammation is present, yeast and bacteria flourish.
In fact, for some dogs, recurring ear infections are the very first sign of allergies—even before itchy feet or skin develop.
If your dog experiences repeated infections throughout the year, your veterinarian may recommend investigating allergies.
Yeast Infections
Yeast naturally lives on healthy skin.
When the ear becomes inflamed, however, yeast can multiply rapidly and cause intense itching and a characteristic musty smell.
Yeast infections often occur alongside allergies, making both conditions important to treat.
Bacterial Infections
Bacteria frequently take advantage of an inflamed ear canal.
Some bacterial infections are relatively straightforward to treat, while others become resistant after repeated courses of medication.
This is one reason why recurring infections should never simply be treated with the same drops every time.
Ear Mites
Ear mites are much more common in puppies and kittens than adult dogs, but they can still occasionally be responsible for ear irritation.
Fortunately, they are usually easy to diagnose and treat.
Foreign Bodies
Grass seeds are a common culprit, particularly during spring and summer.
A grass seed lodged inside the ear can cause sudden pain, head shaking and infection.
Removing the foreign body is essential—otherwise the infection will continue despite medication.
Growths Within the Ear
Polyps and tumours can obstruct the ear canal, trap debris and predispose dogs to repeated infections.
These are more commonly seen in older animals.
Some Breeds Are More Prone to Ear Infections
Certain breeds seem to spend far more time at the vet with sore ears than others.
Dogs with floppy ears, narrow ear canals or excessive hair inside the ears often have reduced airflow, creating a warm, moist environment where bacteria and yeast thrive.
Commonly affected breeds include:
- Cocker Spaniels
- Labrador Retrievers
- Golden Retrievers
- Basset Hounds
- Springer Spaniels
- Poodles
- French Bulldogs
Flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds such as French Bulldogs and Bulldogs may also have underlying allergies that contribute to chronic ear disease.
Why We Don’t Just Prescribe Ear Drops
One of the biggest misconceptions is that every ear infection should be treated in exactly the same way.
At Cottage Vet Clinic, we prefer to diagnose the cause before deciding on treatment.
Ear Cytology
One of the simplest and most valuable tests we perform is ear cytology.
Using a cotton swab, we collect a small sample of debris from the ear and examine it under the microscope.
This tells us whether the infection is caused by:
- Yeast
- Bacteria
- Both
- Inflammatory cells
- Ear mites
Knowing exactly what we’re treating allows us to choose the most appropriate medication and helps avoid unnecessary antibiotic use.
Ear Examination
Sometimes the ear canal is so swollen or painful that we cannot safely examine the eardrum.
In these cases, sedation may occasionally be recommended to allow a thorough examination and cleaning without causing unnecessary discomfort.
Ear Flushing
Dogs with chronic ear disease often develop large amounts of thick wax and debris.
Professional ear flushing removes this material, allowing medication to reach the infected tissue far more effectively.
Why Chronic Ear Infections Become More Difficult
Every untreated or poorly controlled ear infection causes further inflammation.
Over time, the ear canal becomes thicker and narrower.
Eventually, some dogs develop permanent scarring that traps bacteria and yeast even more effectively.
In advanced cases, surgery may become the only option.
This is why early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are so important.
Can Ear Infections Be Prevented?
The answer depends on the underlying cause.
For many dogs, prevention focuses on managing allergies, maintaining good ear hygiene and recognising problems early.
Your veterinarian may recommend:
- Regular ear cleaning with an appropriate veterinary ear cleaner
- Allergy management
- Weight control
- Prompt treatment of skin disease
- Routine ear examinations during annual health checks
Avoid using cotton buds deep inside your dog’s ears, as these can push debris further down the canal and potentially damage the eardrum.
Healthy Ears Start With Finding the Cause
If your dog keeps getting ear infections, don’t lose hope.
The infection itself is usually only part of the story.
By identifying the underlying cause, whether it’s allergies, yeast, bacteria or another condition, we can develop a treatment plan that focuses on preventing recurrence rather than simply treating each new episode.
At Cottage Vet Clinic, we use ear examinations, cytology and, when necessary, further diagnostic testing to identify why your dog’s ear infections keep returning and to provide long-term solutions that improve both comfort and quality of life.
If your dog is scratching at their ears, shaking their head or suffering from recurring ear infections, contact Cottage Vet Clinic. Our experienced team can identify the underlying cause and help your dog enjoy healthy, comfortable ears once again.
