Ear Infection Treatment in Nichols Hills, OK, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Nichols Hills is a vet in Nichols Hills, OK, that treats ear infections in dogs and cats. Most ear infections are caused by yeast, bacteria or both, often set off by allergies, moisture or something stuck in the ear.

The vet looks inside the ear, checks a sample under a microscope, and starts treatment the same day.

Call (405) 251-8816, book online, or walk in for a sore ear.

What are the signs of an ear infection in a pet?

Watch for:

• Head shaking or tilting

• Scratching or rubbing an ear on the floor

• A bad smell from the ear

• Brown, yellow or black discharge

• Red, swollen skin inside the flap

• Crying out when the ear is touched

• Loss of balance, or eyes that flicker side to side, in more serious cases

Ear trouble isn't only a summer problem. 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).

Why does my dog keep getting ear infections?

Repeat ear infections usually have an underlying cause. The most common ones:

1. Allergies. Food or environmental allergies inflame the ear canal and let yeast and bacteria grow.

2. Ear shape. Floppy ears and narrow or hairy canals hold in warmth and moisture.

3. Water. Dogs who swim or get frequent baths can trap water in the canal.

4. Foreign objects. Grass awns and seeds can work deep into the ear after a romp in tall grass.

5. Ear mites, more common in kittens and in pets that came from a shelter or outdoors.

Treating the infection without addressing the cause often means it comes back. Tell the vet how often it has happened and what helped before, since that history points to the cause. If allergies are likely, see pet allergy testing and treatment in Nichols Hills.

How does the vet treat an ear infection?

At Petfolk Nichols Hills, the visit usually includes:

• An otoscope exam to see the canal and eardrum.

• Ear cytology, a swab looked at under a microscope in the in-house lab to see if it's yeast, bacteria or mites.

• A gentle cleaning if the ear isn't too sore.

• Medicine, often ear drops, from the on-site pharmacy.

• A recheck in a couple of weeks to make sure it's fully cleared.

You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit.

A gentler approach for sore ears

Infected ears hurt. Fear Free handling is standard at every Petfolk clinic, and at Petfolk Nichols Hills that means slow, careful handling, breaks, treats, and waiting to clean a very sore ear until medicine has had time to calm it.

Cleaning ears at home

Use only a cleaner the vet recommends. Fill the canal, massage the base for 20 to 30 seconds, let your pet shake, then wipe the outer ear with a cotton ball. Never push cotton swabs deep into the canal. Clean after swimming or baths if your dog is prone to infections, but don't over-clean healthy ears.

What does ear infection treatment cost?

A sick exam at Petfolk Nichols Hills starts at $135. Cytology, cleaning and medicine are priced separately and shown on your estimate first.

Balance problems or a head tilt

A sudden head tilt, falling over, or eyes moving side to side can mean an inner ear problem or something more serious. Call (405) 251-8816 right away. If your pet can't stand or is vomiting repeatedly, go to a 24-hour hospital such as VEG Oklahoma City on Pawnee Dr off N Western Ave.

Ear visits near Nichols Hills Plaza

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Nichols Hills is at 1125 NW 63rd St Suite 1125 C, Oklahoma City, OK 73116, with parking on site. The clinic is open weekends.

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