Health guide
Dog Ear Infections: Causes, Treatment & Prevention in Australia
Ear infections are one of the most common vet visits in Australia. Here's how to spot, treat, and prevent them before they become serious.
7 min read
The quick answer
- 1Ear infections are caused by yeast, bacteria, or ear mites — signs include head shaking, bad smell, and discharge. See a vet within 48 hours.
- 2Australian humidity and swimming create the perfect environment for ear infections; floppy-eared breeds (Cocker Spaniels, Labradors) are most prone
- 3Weekly ear cleaning and drying after swimming can reduce infection risk by 50–70%
When to see a vet
Ear infections are painful, quick to worsen, and if left untreated can cause permanent hearing damage. The good news: most are entirely preventable with a 5-minute weekly routine.
Part 1
What Causes Ear Infections in Australian Dogs?
- 🍄 Yeast (most common)
- Malassezia overgrowth in warm, moist ears. Signs: strong yeasty smell, brown discharge, intense itching
- 🦠 Bacterial
- Often secondary to yeast or allergies. Signs: pus (yellow/green), foul odour, pain on touch
- 🔬 Ear mites
- Dark brown crusty discharge like coffee grounds, severe itching. More common in puppies and multi-pet homes
- 🌿 Allergies
- Environmental (grass pollens, dust mites) or food allergies inflame the ear first — yeast/bacteria follow
- 💧 Moisture after swimming
- Water trapped in the ear canal creates the breeding ground — biggest risk in beach or pool dogs
Part 2
Highest-Risk Breeds
Cocker Spaniel
- Why they're prone
- Long floppy ears trap moisture and reduce airflow
- Prevention priority
- ⚠️ Weekly cleaning minimum
Labrador Retriever
- Why they're prone
- Love swimming — water enters ear canal constantly
- Prevention priority
- ⚠️ Dry after every swim
Cavalier King Charles
- Why they're prone
- Small, narrow ear canals, folded structure
- Prevention priority
- ⚠️ Weekly cleaning
Basset Hound
- Why they're prone
- Extremely long ears drag on ground, collect debris
- Prevention priority
- ⚠️ Daily inspection
Dachshund
- Why they're prone
- L-shaped ear canal traps debris and moisture
- Prevention priority
- ⚠️ Weekly cleaning
Golden Retriever
- Why they're prone
- Dense coat + love of water = chronic risk
- Prevention priority
- ⚠️ Post-swim routine
| Breed | Why they're prone | Prevention priority |
|---|---|---|
| Cocker Spaniel | Long floppy ears trap moisture and reduce airflow | ⚠️ Weekly cleaning minimum |
| Labrador Retriever | Love swimming — water enters ear canal constantly | ⚠️ Dry after every swim |
| Cavalier King Charles | Small, narrow ear canals, folded structure | ⚠️ Weekly cleaning |
| Basset Hound | Extremely long ears drag on ground, collect debris | ⚠️ Daily inspection |
| Dachshund | L-shaped ear canal traps debris and moisture | ⚠️ Weekly cleaning |
| Golden Retriever | Dense coat + love of water = chronic risk | ⚠️ Post-swim routine |
Part 3
Spot an Infection Early — Symptom Guide
Head shaking
- What it means
- Discomfort or itching in ear canal
- Action needed
- Inspect the ear; clean if wet
Scratching or pawing at ears
- What it means
- Itching or early pain
- Action needed
- Inspect and clean; see vet if persistent
Yeasty or musty smell
- What it means
- Yeast overgrowth beginning
- Action needed
- See vet within 48 hours
Brown or yellow discharge
- What it means
- Active infection
- Action needed
- See vet — needs prescription drops
Redness or swelling inside
- What it means
- Acute inflammation
- Action needed
- See vet within 24 hours
Dark crusty discharge
- What it means
- Likely ear mites
- Action needed
- See vet — all pets need treatment
Head tilting to one side
- What it means
- Inner ear involvement
- Action needed
- Emergency vet — serious condition
| Sign | What it means | Action needed |
|---|---|---|
| Head shaking | Discomfort or itching in ear canal | Inspect the ear; clean if wet |
| Scratching or pawing at ears | Itching or early pain | Inspect and clean; see vet if persistent |
| Yeasty or musty smell | Yeast overgrowth beginning | See vet within 48 hours |
| Brown or yellow discharge | Active infection | See vet — needs prescription drops |
| Redness or swelling inside | Acute inflammation | See vet within 24 hours |
| Dark crusty discharge | Likely ear mites | See vet — all pets need treatment |
| Head tilting to one side | Inner ear involvement | Emergency vet — serious condition |
Part 4
The Weekly Ear Cleaning Routine
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Takes 5 minutes — prevents most infections entirely
- 1
Inspect first
Look inside both ears before cleaning. Note any odour, redness, discharge, or unusual moisture. If you see pus, redness, or smell anything foul — see the vet before cleaning, as cleaning can spread infection deeper.
- 2
Fill with ear cleaner and massage
Use a ceruminolytic cleaner (like Virbac Epi-Otic). Fill the ear canal generously, fold the ear over, and gently massage the ear base for 30 seconds. You'll hear a squelching sound — this is the cleaner breaking down wax and debris.
- 3
Let them shake, then wipe
Allow your dog to shake their head — stand back and do this outside or in a bathroom. Then fold the ear back and wipe away visible debris with a cotton ball. Never insert cotton buds into the canal — only clean what you can see.
Vet Standard
Virbac Epi-Otic Ear Cleaning Solution
The most widely used vet-recommended ear cleaner in Australia. Ceruminolytic formula dissolves earwax and debris without irritation. Use weekly for prevention and as part of infection treatment.
- Dissolves earwax and debris
- Non-irritating formula
- Helps prevent yeast overgrowth
- Suitable for regular use
Daily Maintenance
Dog Ear Cleaning Wipes
Pre-moistened alcohol-free wipes for quick daily maintenance and post-swim drying. Easy to use on dogs who resist liquid ear cleaners.
- Alcohol-free gentle formula
- Easy one-handed use
- Ideal for post-swim drying
- Pack of 100
Part 5
How Vets Treat Ear Infections
Yeast infection
- Medication
- Antifungal ear drops (miconazole or clotrimazole)
- Duration
- 7–14 days
Bacterial infection
- Medication
- Antibiotic ear drops or oral antibiotics
- Duration
- 10–14 days
Ear mites
- Medication
- Acaricide drops — all pets in household treated
- Duration
- 2–3 weeks
Allergy-driven
- Medication
- Antihistamines + anti-inflammatory drops + allergy management
- Duration
- Ongoing management
| Type | Medication | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Yeast infection | Antifungal ear drops (miconazole or clotrimazole) | 7–14 days |
| Bacterial infection | Antibiotic ear drops or oral antibiotics | 10–14 days |
| Ear mites | Acaricide drops — all pets in household treated | 2–3 weeks |
| Allergy-driven | Antihistamines + anti-inflammatory drops + allergy management | Ongoing management |
Part 6
Recurring Infections — When to Investigate Deeper
If your dog gets more than 2–3 ear infections per year despite regular cleaning, an underlying cause needs investigation.
- 🌿 Food allergy
- Try an 8–12 week elimination diet — if infections stop, food was the trigger
- 🌸 Environmental allergy
- Antihistamines, omega-3s, or allergy immunotherapy with a vet dermatologist
- 🦱 Excessive ear canal hair
- Groomer or vet can pluck it — reduces moisture trapping
- 🦠 Thyroid disease
- Predisposes to skin and ear infections — bloodwork can rule it out
- 💊 Seborrhoea
- Oily skin condition requiring specific medicated shampoos and ongoing management
Common questions
How often should I clean my dog's ears?
Healthy dogs: weekly during warm months, fortnightly in cooler months. High-risk breeds (Cocker Spaniels, Labs) or swimming dogs: 2–3 times weekly. Ask your vet for a personalised recommendation based on your dog's ear shape and infection history.
Can I use human ear drops on my dog?
No. Human ear drops are not formulated for dogs and can be toxic, especially if the eardrum is perforated. A perforated eardrum requires specific treatment from your vet. Always use vet-approved dog products only.
Why does my dog's ear smell yeasty?
A yeasty smell is the earliest sign of Malassezia (yeast) overgrowth — usually triggered by moisture, humidity, or allergies. Clean the ears immediately using a ceruminolytic solution and see your vet if the smell persists after 2 days of cleaning.
Is it safe to pluck hair from inside my dog's ears?
Gentle plucking by a groomer or vet can help reduce moisture trapping in breeds with excessive ear canal hair. However, forceful plucking damages the ear canal lining. It's not necessary for every dog — only when hair is causing recurring problems.
Can allergies cause ear infections?
Yes — this is very common. Allergic inflammation weakens the ear's natural defences and creates an environment where yeast and bacteria flourish. If your dog gets recurring ear infections, investigating for underlying allergies is essential.
What if my dog has a perforated eardrum?
A perforated eardrum (from severe infection or trauma) requires special care. Some ear drops can damage a perforated eardrum further. Your vet must confirm eardrum integrity before prescribing topical medication — oral antibiotics are used instead.