Ear Infection Treatment in North Hills, Raleigh, NC, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - North Hills is a vet in North Hills, Raleigh, that treats ear infections in dogs and cats. Signs include head shaking, scratching at the ear, a bad smell, redness, and brown or yellow discharge. Most ear infections are caused by yeast, bacteria or both, often set off by allergies or moisture.

Ear infections hurt. Getting the right treatment early keeps a simple problem from turning into a long one.

Call (984) 983-4900 or book online. Same-day visits are available.

Why does my dog keep getting ear infections?

Repeat ear infections are almost always a sign of something underneath. At Petfolk North Hills, the most common causes are:

• Allergies, to pollen, food or fleas. The clinic page for Petfolk North Hills lists pollen common in Raleigh among the allergy triggers it sees.

• Moisture, from swimming, baths or Raleigh's humid summers.

• Ear shape, since floppy or hairy ears trap warmth and wetness.

• Ear mites, especially in kittens and puppies.

• Something stuck in the ear, like a grass seed.

Ear problems are steady all year, not only in summer. Across Petfolk, ear issues made up 9 to 10% of sick visits in every month of the year (Oct 2025 to Sep 2026).

How does the vet treat an ear infection?

At Petfolk North Hills, ear care usually goes like this:

1. The vet looks deep into the ear with an otoscope to check the canal and eardrum.

2. A swab of ear debris is checked under a microscope (ear cytology) to see whether yeast, bacteria or mites are present.

3. The ear is cleaned, if your pet allows it comfortably.

4. You get medicine matched to what was found, often ear drops or a longer-lasting ear gel.

5. The vet shows you how to clean and treat the ear at home, and sets a recheck.

The microscope check matters. Yeast and bacteria need different medicines, and guessing can make a stubborn infection last longer.

How do I give ear drops?

1. Hold the ear flap up and gently straighten the canal.

2. Fill the canal with the drops or cleaner as directed.

3. Massage the base of the ear for 20 to 30 seconds. You should hear a squish.

4. Let your pet shake its head, then wipe the outer ear with cotton.

Never use cotton swabs deep in the ear, since they push debris down and can hurt the eardrum. Every Petfolk clinic uses Fear Free handling, and the North Hills team is happy to show you, with treats to make it easier.

How much does ear infection treatment cost?

A sick exam at Petfolk North Hills starts at $135. Ear cytology and medicine are quoted before they are done. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit. Many ear medicines come from the on-site pharmacy, so treatment can start right away.

Keeping ears healthy

• Dry your dog's ears after swimming or baths.

• Clean ears only as often as the vet suggests.

• Keep flea prevention going all year.

• Treat allergies, since that is often the real cause of repeat infections.

• Come back for the recheck, even if the ear looks better.

Stopping medicine too early is a common reason infections return. See allergy testing and treatment in North Hills if ear infections keep coming back.

When an ear problem is more serious

A head tilt, loss of balance, walking in circles or eyes darting side to side can mean the infection has reached the middle or inner ear, which needs a vet the same day. A sudden swelling of the ear flap, like a pillow, is usually a blood blister from head shaking. If your pet falls over and can't stand, or seems confused, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital such as BluePearl Pet Hospital on Paragon Park Road in Raleigh.

Book an ear check

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - North Hills is at 631 E Six Forks Rd, Suite 101, Raleigh, NC 27609. Call (984) 983-4900, book online or walk in.

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