Pet Ear Infection Care in Missouri City, TX, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Missouri City is a vet in Missouri City, TX, that treats ear infections in dogs and cats, often the same day. If your pet is shaking its head, scratching an ear or the ear smells, an infection is likely. The vet looks deep into the ear canal, checks a swab under a microscope, and picks drops that match what's growing.

Treating the right cause the first time is the best way to stop an ear infection from coming back.

Call (832) 225-3315 or book online. Walk-ins are welcome.

Why does my dog keep getting ear infections?

Most repeat ear infections have a cause underneath. The most common ones are:

• Allergies, to food, pollen or fleas. Itchy skin often starts in the ears. See allergy care.

• Moisture, after baths, swimming or humid Gulf Coast summers

• Ear shape, like floppy ears or hairy ear canals that trap warmth

• Something stuck, like a grass seed

• Ear mites, more common in kittens and puppies

Ear problems made up about 1 in 12 sick visits at our Houston-area clinics between Oct 1, 2025 and Sep 30, 2026.

What happens at an ear visit?

1. The vet looks into both ears with an otoscope to check the canal and eardrum.

2. A quick swab goes on a slide to see if yeast, bacteria or mites are there.

3. The ear may be cleaned, and the vet picks drops or another ear medicine.

4. For a very sore ear, pain relief or a short course of pills may be added.

Fear Free handling, treats and a slow, gentle approach help pets with painful ears.

Kept my pet comfortable.

Anna Lisa F., Google review

Should I clean my pet's ears at home?

Only if the vet says so, and only with a pet ear cleaner. Never use cotton swabs deep in the canal or home mixes with vinegar or peroxide on a sore ear. If the eardrum is torn, some cleaners and drops can cause harm. Once the infection clears, the vet can show you how often to clean, especially after swimming.

Ticks hiding in ear flaps

Texas A&M's Tick App notes that adult Gulf Coast ticks feed mainly in the ears. After a walk through tall grass, check inside both ear flaps and along the edges. A tick in the ear can cause head shaking that looks like an infection.

A swollen ear flap

Hard head shaking can break a blood vessel in the ear flap, which fills up like a soft balloon. This is called an aural hematoma. It isn't an emergency, but it needs a vet visit soon, and the ear infection behind it needs treatment too.

Giving ear drops the easy way

Warm the bottle in your hand for a minute, since cold drops can startle a pet. Lift the ear flap, fill the canal as directed, then gently massage the base of the ear for about 20 seconds. You'll hear a soft squishing sound. Let your pet shake its head, then wipe the outer ear with a cotton ball. A treat after each dose makes the next one easier. Finish the full course even if the ear looks clean, and keep the recheck visit.

Ear care pricing

An ear visit starts with a sick exam, which starts at $135 at Petfolk Missouri City. Tests and medicines are added to that. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit.

Head tilt and loss of balance

An infection deep in the ear can affect balance. Call or walk in the same day for a new head tilt or a pet that walks in circles. A pet that can't stand, has rapid eye flicking with vomiting, or has a seizure needs a 24-hour emergency hospital such as VEG on University Blvd in Sugar Land.

Get the ears checked

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Missouri City is at 8225 Hwy 6, Suite 300, Missouri City, TX 77459, with on-site parking. Call (832) 225-3315 or walk in.

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