Why vets are flagging dog ear infections this winter
If your dog has been shaking its head or scratching at an ear lately, it is worth paying attention. Petstock’s head vet, Dr Gloria Ebeyer, recently warned that ear infections are one of the most commonly overlooked winter health problems in Australian pets — and one that gets expensive fast when it is ignored. Around one in six owners are delaying vet visits because of cost-of-living pressure, yet as Dr Ebeyer put it, “a $150 check-up for an ear infection could turn into a $2,000 problem in six weeks if it’s left untreated.”
An ear infection — vets call it otitis externa, or inflammation of the outer ear canal — is one of the most common reasons dogs end up at the clinic, according to VCA Animal Hospitals. Winter just makes it easier to miss: shorter, wetter walks leave ears damp, dogs spend more time rugged up indoors, and a quick head-shake is easy to shrug off. Trapped moisture creates the warm, dark conditions that yeast and bacteria thrive in, the MSD Veterinary Manual notes.
The early signs to watch for
Ear infections are usually easy to spot once you know what to look for. The common signs are:
- Head shaking, or tilting the head to one side
- Scratching or pawing at the ear, or rubbing it along the floor and furniture
- Redness or swelling inside the ear flap
- A yellow, brown or black discharge
- A yeasty or generally unpleasant smell
- Flinching, whimpering or pulling away when you touch the ear
If your dog is shaking its head, scratching at one ear and you can see redness, notice an odour or spot discharge, treat it as a likely ear infection and book a vet appointment. As the American Kennel Club and VCA both point out, these signs rarely clear up on their own.
What actually causes them
The infection itself is usually an overgrowth of yeast (most often Malassezia) or bacteria that already live in small numbers in a healthy ear. Something has to tip the balance, and in dogs that trigger is very often an underlying allergy: VCA reports allergies are involved in as many as 43% of canine ear infections, and ear problems affect the majority of dogs with a food allergy. Other culprits include trapped moisture, foreign material such as grass seeds (more of a spring and summer risk in Australia) and hormonal conditions like hypothyroidism.
Ear shape matters too. Breeds with long, floppy or hairy ears — cocker spaniels, poodles, and the hugely popular Australian “oodles” such as cavoodles and spoodles — trap more moisture and warmth, so they are more prone to recurring infections. If you own one, regular ear checks and good grooming genuinely help (see our guide to winter oodle grooming). Because skin allergies and ear trouble are so closely linked, it is also worth reading up on winter itchy skin in dogs.
When to see a vet — a quick guide
| What you notice | What it usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Mild redness or the odd scratch, no smell | Early irritation | Book a routine vet appointment within a few days |
| Persistent head shaking, odour, discharge, obvious discomfort | An established infection | See a vet promptly — don’t wait it out |
| Head tilt, loss of balance, circling, sudden deafness or severe pain | Possible middle or inner-ear involvement | Treat as urgent — contact a vet or emergency service now |
The safest rule of thumb is Dr Ebeyer’s: the cheapest time to see a vet is the first time you notice something is off. If you are not sure whether it warrants a trip in, a telehealth vet consult can help you decide, and any signs of severe pain or balance problems should be treated as an emergency.
What not to do at home
It is tempting to reach for the cotton buds, but don’t. As Cornell University’s vet school and Australian pet guides like Pet Circle warn, cotton buds can push wax and debris deeper into the canal and can even rupture the eardrum. Avoid pouring in leftover drops from a previous infection or another pet, and never use human medications — if the eardrum is already damaged, some products can do real harm, which is exactly why a vet checks the eardrum first. A gentle wipe of the visible outer ear with a vet-approved cleaner is fine; digging into the canal is not.
How a vet sorts it out
A vet will look down the ear with an otoscope to check the canal and eardrum, and usually take a small swab to examine under a microscope — that is how they tell whether yeast, bacteria or both are involved and choose the right medication. Treatment normally means a thorough clean followed by medicated drops that combine an antibiotic, an antifungal and an anti-inflammatory, plus tackling the underlying cause so it doesn’t keep coming back. Most straightforward cases settle within a couple of weeks when they are treated early.
Frequently asked questions
Can I treat my dog’s ear infection at home?
Not reliably. Because an ear infection can be driven by yeast, bacteria, mites or a foreign body — each needing different treatment — a vet needs to identify the cause first. Home remedies often just delay proper care and let the problem worsen.
How much does treatment cost in Australia?
An early check-up is often around the $150 mark, but Petstock’s head vet warns a neglected ear infection can escalate into a roughly $2,000 problem within six weeks. Catching it early is both kinder and cheaper.
Which dogs get ear infections most?
Breeds with long or hairy ears — cocker spaniels, poodles, cavoodles, spoodles and similar — along with dogs that have skin allergies or swim often.
Can an ear infection make my dog deaf?
A one-off infection that is treated promptly usually clears with no lasting harm, but repeated or untreated infections can cause permanent changes to the ear canal and hearing loss — another good reason not to leave it.
Key takeaways
- Head shaking, scratching, odour and discharge are the classic early signs.
- Winter’s damp walks and extra indoor time make infections easy to miss.
- Allergies and floppy, moisture-trapping ears are the biggest risk factors.
- Skip the cotton buds and leftover drops — see a vet for a proper diagnosis.
- Early treatment (around $150) is far cheaper than a neglected one (around $2,000).
General information only and not a substitute for veterinary advice. If you are worried about your dog’s ears, consult a licensed Australian veterinarian for diagnosis and treatment specific to your pet. Written by Hannah Whitfield for GoPetr, drawing on the veterinary sources linked throughout.
