Pet Ear Infection Treatment in Lake Mary, FL, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Lake Mary is a vet in Lake Mary, FL, that treats ear infections in dogs and cats, often on the same day you call. An infected ear is itchy and sore. The sooner the vet looks inside, the faster your pet gets relief, and the less likely the problem turns into a long-running one.

Book online, walk in, or call (689) 400-8901.

What are the signs of an ear infection?

Watch for:

• shaking the head or tilting it to one side

• scratching or pawing at one ear

• a bad smell from the ear

• brown, yellow or black discharge

• red, swollen or warm skin inside the ear flap

• crying or pulling away when the ear is touched

Dogs with floppy ears or hairy ear canals get infections more often, but any dog or cat can. In cats, dark, crumbly debris can mean ear mites, especially in kittens and new rescues.

Why do pets in Lake Mary keep getting ear infections?

Most ear infections are a sign of something else. The most common causes are:

• Allergies. Pollen, grass and food allergies inflame the ear canal, and yeast and bacteria move in. The Lake Mary clinic page lists eye or ear infections and seasonal grass pollen allergies among the problems it sees most.

• Humidity and moisture. Warm, damp air keeps the ear canal moist. Baths and rain play a part too.

• Something stuck in the ear, like a grass seed after a walk through tall grass.

• Ear mites, mostly in young cats and dogs.

Water still plays a part for dogs who swim in a backyard pool or get bathed often, so dry the ears well afterward. Lake swims are a poor idea here anyway: dogs may not swim in the springs at Wekiwa Springs State Park, and Florida wildlife officials advise keeping pets away from the water's edge because of alligators.

Across Petfolk, ear problems made up 9 to 10% of sick visits in every single month of the year (Oct 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026). They are not only a summer issue.

How does the vet treat an ear infection?

The vet looks deep into the canal with a lighted scope to check the eardrum and look for anything stuck inside. A swab of the discharge goes under the microscope in the in-house lab, which shows whether yeast, bacteria or mites are to blame. That way the medicine fits the cause.

Treatment is usually:

• a gentle ear cleaning at the clinic

• ear drops (ask the team about longer-acting options if daily drops are hard for your pet)

• relief for pain and itch

• a recheck for stubborn or repeat infections

If allergies are behind repeat infections, treating the allergy is what stops the cycle. See allergy testing and treatment in Lake Mary.

Very attentive staff and helped with my dog’s ear infection!

Natalie S., Google review

Home care between visits

Ask the team to show you how to clean your pet's ears at home before you try it. Use only the cleaner the vet suggests, and never cotton swabs deep in the canal. Dry the ears after baths. Give every dose of medicine, even if your pet seems better in a few days, since stopping early lets the infection come back.

Sore ears make some pets head-shy. Fear Free handling helps: the team goes slowly, uses treats, and stops for breaks so your pet stays calm.

Cost of an ear visit

A sick exam at Petfolk Lake Mary starts at $135. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit. PetfolkCare membership starts at $199 a year.

When it is more than an ear

Most ear infections are a clinic visit, not a hospital trip. If your pet suddenly loses balance, walks in circles, has a head tilt with eyes flicking side to side, or a swollen, puffy ear flap, call the clinic the same day. If your pet can't stand or keeps vomiting, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital. The nearest is Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG), 1490 W Fairbanks Ave, Winter Park.

Our Lake Mary address

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Lake Mary is at 222 Wheelhouse Ln, #1110, Lake Mary, FL 32746, with free parking. It is open weekends, and walk-ins are welcome. Call (689) 400-8901.

Book a visit at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Lake Mary, or see all veterinary services in Lake Mary.