Ears problems in dogs - an overview

Symptoms of ear problems in dogs
There are three main parts of the ear (see diagram), symptoms of an ear problem depend on which part of the ear is affected.
- The external ear is the ear flap and canal which collect sounds (in blue)
- The middle ear transmits sounds (in pink)
- The inner ear is responsible for hearing and balance (in yellow)
Common symptoms of an ear problem include:
- Ear scratching/rubbing
- Head shaking
- Smelly ears
- Discharge or blood
- Heat and swelling
- Pain
- A dirty or very waxy ear
- Head held to one side (middle/inner ear problem)
- Loss of balance (middle/inner ear problem)
- Flickering eye movements (middle/inner ear problem)

A dog's ear structure.
When to contact your vet
Contact your vet as soon as you notice a problem with your dog’s ear(s), ear problems are painful and can quickly get worse if left without treatment. Your vet will use a special instrument (an otoscope) to look into the ear and investigate the problem.
Find out whether you are eligible for free or low cost PDSA veterinary treatment using our eligibility checker.
Causes of ear problems in dogs
Some common conditions that affect dog ears include:
- An infection – caused by bacteria or yeast overgrowth
- Allergic skin disease – itchy skin lining the ear caused by an allergy to things such as fleas, pollen or certain foods.
- Ear mites – a parasite that causes intense itching
- Injuries – bites, bangs or tears
- Aural haematoma (a swollen ear flap) – caused by a burst blood vessel
- Objects stuck in the ear –(such as grass seeds).
- Vestibular disease – an inner ear problem that causes loss of balance.
- Ear polyps – benign growths in the ear canal, similar to skin tags.
- Tumours – both cancerous and non-cancerous.
Published: Feb 2020
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Written by vets and vet nurses. This advice is for UK pets only.
Illustrations by Samantha Elmhurst