Dog Ear Problem On and Off

by Jasmine
(Malaysia)

Hi, I have a 1 year old black mongrel dog. He has a Labrador ear and he stays outside of the house. He seems to always have a red spot in a circle shape in both of his ears, especially at the inner corner of his ear.

I brought him to the vet once and he was okay just for few weeks. Now,his ear has a light yellowish discharge and circle spot for few weeks. I have tried all sorts of methods to help him and it will cost me a lot to send him to vet again.

I can't afford to send him all the time. What I do now is to put a dog collar on to prevent him from hurting himself.

Any permanent solution? I don't have his photo cause he is a very restless dog.

Thank you and much appreciated.

Editor Suggestion Dog Ear Problem on and off

Dear Jasmine,

I am afraid I can’t tell you exactly what is going on with your dog without examining him, but I can make a few general comments and suggestions for home care of a dog ear problem.

Some dogs do have chronic problems with ear infections, which this sounds like it could be, so it isn’t too unusual for a dog to see the vet, get better, but then relapse when treatment is stopped.

If your vet prescribed an ear cleaner or topical medication for your dog the last time you brought him in and you have some left, try using it again.

If you don’t have any medications from your last veterinary visit, try an ear wash like Oti-clens and a product that kills both yeast and bacteria and has an anti-inflammatory ingredient as well (e.g., Zymox Otic).

There are more options available with a prescription so it is probably worth seeing your vet again for a definitive diagnosis and to ask if he or she would be willing to prescribe something for long-term maintenance therapy.

Good luck,

Jennifer Coates, DVM