Ear Infections Again? Here's What You Can Do

If your dog has had more than one ear infection in the past twelve months, the infection itself is not the real problem. Recurrent ear infections almost always have an underlying cause - and treating each flare-up with ear drops without addressing that cause is why the infections keep coming back.

At Middle Brighton Vet, we take a different approach to recurrent otitis. Here is what that looks like.

Why do some dogs get repeated ear infections?

The ear canal is a warm, moist environment that bacteria and yeast find hospitable. In a healthy ear, the body manages this naturally. In dogs with recurrent infections, something is disrupting that balance. The most common underlying causes are:

• Allergies - environmental (atopic dermatitis) or food allergies are the most frequent driver of recurrent ear disease in dogs. The allergy causes inflammation in the ear canal lining, which creates the perfect conditions for infection.
• Anatomy - breeds with narrow or heavily haired ear canals (Cocker Spaniels, Poodles, Labradoodles) are structurally more prone to ear problems
• Hormonal conditions - hypothyroidism in particular can predispose dogs to recurrent skin and ear infections
• Foreign bodies - grass seeds are a common seasonal cause, particularly in spring and summer
• Polyps or growths within the ear canal

What happens if recurrent ear infections are not properly managed?

Repeated infections and chronic inflammation can lead to permanent changes in the ear canal - thickening and calcification of the canal wall that eventually requires surgical intervention to correct. This is entirely preventable if the underlying cause is identified and managed early.

What does proper investigation involve?

When we see a dog with recurrent ear infections at Middle Brighton Vet, we do not just treat the current flare-up. We take a sample from the ear for cytology - microscopic examination to identify whether bacteria, yeast, or both are present, and in what proportion. This guides treatment selection rather than using a broad-spectrum product that may not target the right organisms.

We also discuss the history in detail - how often infections occur, which ear is affected, whether there are other skin changes, and whether the dog has other signs of allergy. This helps us identify the underlying cause so we can address it directly.

Treatment options for the underlying cause

If allergies are driving the ear disease, managing the allergy significantly reduces the frequency of ear infections. Options include Cytopoint or Apoquel for environmental allergies, dietary management for food allergies, and in some cases allergen-specific immunotherapy for long-term control.

Regular ear cleaning with an appropriate solution can help maintain ear health between flare-ups, but the type of cleaner and frequency depends on what is going on in that specific ear - it is not one-size-fits-all.

When to call us

If your dog is shaking their head, scratching at their ear, or has any discharge or odour from the ear, book a consultation rather than waiting. And if your dog has had more than one ear infection in the past year, tell us - that history changes how we approach the problem.

Call us on (03) 9592 9811 or book online at middlebrightonvet.com.au/book-online.

Related services at Middle Brighton Vet: Consultations and Health Checks | Pathology