Pet Ear Infection Treatment in Wake Forest, NC, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Wake Forest is a vet in Wake Forest, NC, that treats ear infections in dogs and cats, often the same day. If your pet shakes their head, scratches an ear or has a sour smell coming from it, the vet can find the cause and start treatment during the visit.

Call (919) 891-6444, walk in or book online. New patients are welcome.

What are the signs of an ear infection?

• Shaking the head or tilting it to one side

• Scratching or rubbing the ear on the floor

• A bad or yeasty smell

• Brown, yellow or black discharge

• Red, swollen skin inside the ear flap

• Crying when the ear is touched

• A puffy ear flap that feels like a water balloon, which can happen after hard head shaking

Ear trouble is steady all year. Across Petfolk, ear problems made up 9 to 10% of sick visits in every month from October 2025 to September 2026, not only in summer.

Why do dogs get ear infections?

An ear infection is usually a sign of something else. Common causes are:

• Allergies. This is the top reason. Itchy, inflamed ears trap moisture, and yeast and bacteria move in.

• Water in the ears. Dogs that swim at Falls Lake or play in creeks, and dogs bathed often, are more prone.

• Ear shape. Floppy ears and hairy ear canals hold warmth and moisture.

• Ear mites, more common in kittens and puppies.

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

North Carolina's humid climate is on the clinic's list of reasons for skin irritation, and ears are skin too.

How does the vet treat an ear infection?

The vet looks deep into the ear with a scope to check the eardrum. Then a team member takes a swab and looks at it under the microscope in the clinic. That shows whether yeast, bacteria or mites are to blame, so your pet gets the right medicine instead of a guess.

Treatment often includes:

• A gentle ear cleaning at the clinic

• Ear drops or a long-acting gel placed in the ear

• Pain and anti-inflammatory medicine if the ear is very sore

• A recheck in about two weeks to make sure it has cleared

Ears with repeat infections often need allergy care too, or the infection keeps returning.

Not only did they tend to his wound and get it cleaned up, but they also did a full exam on him and was able to see that he also had an ear infection.

Julia J., Google review

How can I prevent ear infections?

• Dry your dog's ears with a soft towel after swimming or a bath.

• Use an ear cleaner the vet recommends, and only as often as advised.

• Never use cotton swabs deep in the canal.

• Treat allergies and use year-round flea prevention.

Check your dog's ears once a week while you brush them. A healthy ear is pale pink, with little wax and no smell. Catching redness or a new odor early often means a shorter course of drops.

Gentle care for sore ears

Sore ears hurt. Fear Free handling means the team goes slowly, uses treats and a gentle hold, and gives pain relief first if the ear is very tender. Some pets need light sedation for a deep clean, and the vet will explain why before doing it.

Ear treatment costs

A sick exam starts at $135. The ear swab, cleaning and medicine are added based on what the vet finds. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit.

When it's more than an ear

If your pet suddenly can't walk straight, falls to one side, has fast flicking eyes or vomits along with a head tilt, call the clinic right away. If it is closed, go to a 24-hour hospital such as the NC State Veterinary Hospital on William Moore Drive in Raleigh.

Book an ear check

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Wake Forest is at 3600 Rogers Branch Rd, Suite 103, Wake Forest, NC 27587, near Heritage. If ears are a repeat problem, see allergy testing and treatment.

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