Pet Ear Infection Treatment

Head shaking, scratching, and a sour smell usually mean an ear infection. Our Sugar Land clinic near Highway 6 and University Boulevard looks at a sample from the ear under a microscope, so treatment targets the yeast or bacteria that's actually there.

If infections keep coming back, the doctor will look for the cause behind them, most often allergies.

Call (346) 436-6295 or book online. For urgent problems, call ahead or book online. We hold same-day spots every day.

When it's an emergency: Go straight to a 24-hour emergency hospital for a sudden head tilt with falling, rolling, or circling, repeated vomiting with loss of balance, or a pet that can't stand. We're open 8 AM to 6 PM, seven days a week, and we don't provide overnight care.

Signs of an Ear Infection

• Shaking the head or tilting it to one side

• Scratching or pawing at the ear

• Redness or swelling inside the ear flap

• Brown, yellow, or waxy discharge

• A musty or yeasty smell

• Pain when the ear is touched

Cats often hide ear pain, so the smell may be the first thing you notice. A swollen, puffy ear flap after a lot of head shaking can be a blood-filled swelling that needs a visit.

What Happens at the Visit

The doctor looks into the ear canal and at the eardrum with an otoscope. A small swab from the ear goes under the microscope to show whether yeast, bacteria, or mites are causing the problem. If the ear is packed with debris, it may need cleaning first.

Very painful ears sometimes need sedation for a proper look and cleaning. You'll get an estimate before anything starts, and you stay with your pet for the exam.

“My dog gets very anxious at the vet and they were so supportive and caring.”

— Hannah D., Petfolk client.

Swimming, Bath Time, and Wet Ears

Long summers mean a lot of swimming in Sugar Land: backyard pools, neighborhood lakes, and the dog pools at Pawm Springs Dog Park in Sugar Land Memorial Park. Water left in the ear canal keeps it warm and damp, which is where yeast and bacteria grow, especially in dogs with floppy ears.

• Dry the outer ear gently with a soft cloth after swimming or baths.

• Ask the doctor whether a drying ear cleaner makes sense for your dog after swims.

• Don't push cotton swabs into the ear canal.

• Watch for head shaking a day or two after a swim day.

The Merck Veterinary Manual advises keeping the ears dry, avoiding cotton swabs, and rechecking until the infection is fully gone, which often takes 2 to 4 weeks.

Why Some Ear Infections Keep Coming Back

• Environmental or food allergies inflaming the ear canal

• Floppy ears or narrow canals that trap moisture

• Heavy wax or hair in the canal

• Stopping treatment early because the ear looks better

Two or more infections in a year is a pattern worth a closer look. The doctor may suggest an allergy workup along with treating the ear.

When It Can Wait a Day

A little wax with no smell, redness, or pain often needs only a gentle cleaning with a pet-safe ear cleaner. Mild scratching with no odor can be watched for a day. If it gets worse, smells, or your pet won't let you touch the ear, book a visit.

What Ear Infection Treatment Costs

Ear cases vary, and you'll see an estimate before tests or treatment. What changes the total:

• The visit: an urgent visit is $135, or $36 with PetfolkCare; a wellness exam is $99, or included with PetfolkCare

• In-clinic ear cytology to identify yeast or bacteria

• Ear cleaning, and sedation if the ear is too painful to examine

• Ear medication, which depends on what's found

• Rechecks until the infection is gone

Find Out What's in the Ear

If your pet is shaking its head or its ear smells off, call (346) 436-6295 or book a same-day spot online.