Pet Ear Infection Treatment in Lakewood, Dallas, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Lakewood is a vet in Lakewood, East Dallas, that treats ear infections in dogs and cats, often the same day. Sore ears hurt, and they rarely clear up on their own. The sooner they're treated, the faster your pet feels better.

The vet looks inside the ear, tests a swab, and picks medicine for the exact germ causing the problem.

Call (682) 339-7822 or book online. Walk-ins are welcome.

What are the signs of an ear infection?

You may notice:

• Head shaking or tilting

• Scratching at one or both ears

• A bad smell from the ear

• Brown, yellow or black discharge

• Red, swollen or warm ear flaps

• Crying when the ear is touched

• Losing balance, in more serious cases

Dogs with floppy ears, like spaniels, retrievers and doodles, get ear infections more often. So do dogs who swim, since water trapped in the ear makes a warm, damp home for yeast and bacteria.

Why does my dog keep getting ear infections?

Ear infections are usually a sign of something else. The most common cause by far is allergy, either to pollen or to food. In North Texas, cedar season in winter and grass pollen in spring and summer can set off flare after flare. Others come from swimming, ear mites, a foxtail stuck in the canal or the shape of the ear.

Ear trouble isn't just a summer thing. Across Petfolk, ear problems made up 9 to 10% of sick visits in every month of the year (Oct 1, 2025 to Sep 30, 2026). If your pet's ears keep coming back, see pet allergy testing and treatment in Lakewood.

How does the vet find the cause?

First, the vet looks deep in the ear with a lighted scope. This checks the eardrum and looks for anything stuck in the canal, like a grass seed.

Next comes an ear swab. The team rolls a little of the discharge onto a slide and looks at it under the microscope. That shows whether the problem is yeast, bacteria, mites or a mix, which decides the right medicine. If the infection is stubborn, a culture may go to an outside lab.

The team uses gentle handling for sore ears. Fear Free methods, treats and patience go a long way with a pet who doesn't want their head touched.

I brought in honey for an ear infection and the staff was so patient with her and explained it everything to me, and what I needed to do at home to help her.

Kendra, Google review

What treatment does my pet need?

Most ear infections are treated with:

1. A gentle ear cleaning at the visit

2. Medicated drops at home, given for the full course

3. Pain or anti-itch medicine if the ear is very sore

4. A recheck to make sure the infection is fully gone

Stopping drops early is the main reason infections come back. Keep going for the full course, even if the ear looks better.

How to clean your pet's ears

Ask the vet before you start, since cleaning a sore or torn ear can hurt. When it's safe:

• Use a vet-approved ear cleaner, never water, vinegar or peroxide.

• Fill the canal, massage the base of the ear for 20 seconds, and let your pet shake.

• Wipe away what comes out with a cotton ball. Skip cotton swabs deep in the ear.

• For swimmers, clean ears after a day at the lake.

What an ear visit costs

A sick exam 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.

When ear trouble can't wait

A pet who suddenly loses balance, walks in circles, has a head tilt with fast eye movements, or a very swollen ear flap needs care fast. If your pet also vomits or can't stand, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital. In Lower Greenville, Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) at 4500 North Central Expressway, Dallas, TX 75206, is open 24 hours.

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