A dog or cat that shakes its head, scratches one ear, or has a red, smelly or dark-discharging ear canal should see a vet within a day or two, because ear infections rarely clear on their own. The right medicine depends on what's growing in the ear, so treatment starts with an ear swab under the microscope. Petfolk SouthPark is a veterinary clinic in Charlotte, North Carolina, that sees ear problems seven days a week, often the same day; book with our vet in SouthPark.
Call (980) 580-8079 or book online.
How does Petfolk SouthPark find the cause of an ear infection?
At Petfolk SouthPark, 78% of visits for ear problems included ear cytology, a quick microscope check of what's growing in the ear, so treatment matches the cause (October 2025 to September 2026).
Look down the canal. The doctor checks the canal and eardrum with an otoscope (a lighted scope).
Swab and stain. Cytology shows yeast, bacteria, both, or ear mites, which are common in kittens and puppies.
Treat the cause. Each finding needs a different approach. A painful ear sometimes needs sedation for a proper cleaning.
Culture if it keeps coming back. A culture names the exact bacteria and which medicines work against them.
my puppy was seen, tested for an ear infection, fully evaluated, and given a treatment plan within a half hour. Catherine R., Google review
Which pets get ear infections most?
Dogs, by a wide margin: dogs made up 87% of ear-problem visits at Petfolk SouthPark from October 2025 to September 2026. Floppy ears, narrow canals and hairy canals all trap warmth and moisture. Cats get ear problems less often, and in kittens dark, crumbly debris is often ear mites.
Are ear infections worse in summer in Charlotte?
No, not in Petfolk's records. Across Petfolk's Charlotte-area clinics, ear problems made up about 11% of sick visits in both winter (December to February) and summer (June to September), October 2025 to September 2026. That fits the main cause: allergies, which can flare in any season.
Do ear infections come from water in the ear?
Sometimes water tips a sensitive ear over the edge, but most ear infections have an underlying cause, and allergies are the most common one in dogs. When the skin of the ear canal gets itchy and inflamed, yeast and bacteria that normally live there in small numbers overgrow.
Will peroxide or vinegar clear up an ear infection?
No. Both can sting an inflamed canal, and neither treats the cause. If the eardrum is torn, some home products and even some medicated drops can harm the middle and inner ear, which is why the Petfolk SouthPark doctor checks the eardrum first. Skip home remedies and cotton swabs, which push debris deeper.
Can I stop the ear drops once the head shaking stops?
No. Ears often feel better before the infection is gone, and stopping early is one of the most common reasons an infection returns, sometimes harder to treat. Finish the course exactly as directed and keep the recheck, where the doctor confirms the canal has cleared.
Why does my dog keep getting ear infections?
Repeat ear infections usually point to something that can be managed. Keep a simple log of flare-ups:
Spring and late summer flares often point to an environmental allergy.
Year-round flares can point to a food allergy, a hormone problem such as low thyroid, or a narrow canal that traps moisture.
Controlling the allergy, often along with an ear-cleaning routine the doctor shows you, can break the cycle. The allergy testing and treatment page covers that side, and the AAHA has more on pet ear health.
How much does ear infection treatment cost at Petfolk SouthPark?
At Petfolk SouthPark, an ear visit is a sick-pet exam, and the ear swab and any medicines are priced on top. You get an estimate before any treatment.
Which ear signs need a 24-hour emergency hospital?
If your pet suddenly tilts the head, loses balance, falls over, circles or has eyes that flick side to side, go to a 24-hour emergency hospital if you can't be seen right away. These signs can come from the inner ear or the brain. Petfolk SouthPark is open 8 AM to 6 PM, seven days a week, with no overnight care.
Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - SouthPark is at 4914 Old Sardis Rd, Unit C5, Charlotte, NC 28211, a short drive from Dilworth. Call (980) 580-8079 or book online.
Book a visit at Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - SouthPark, or see all veterinary services in SouthPark.
Ear infection questions
Strawberry Hill, Unit C5