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Dog's face drooping and ear rubbing: Is it an ear infection or stroke?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Beagle | Male | neutered | 7 years and 4 months old | 50 lbs

My dog's face just started drooping and he is rubbing his ear. He is eating and drinking good. Could he have an ear infection

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on May 18th, 2017

Facial drooping suggests that there may be facial paralysis (due to a lesion on the nerve that innervated the facial muscles) or a stroke event has occurred. Rubbing of the ear could indicate an ear infection or allergies. I would recommend having Sully examined by your vet to find out the underlying cause for sure. Once you know what is causing this, then appropriate treatment can be implemented for Sully. Best of luck.

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    Answered By Claudia Fioravanti

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Hypersalivation is not a common sign for ear infections, unless the ear is causing Sully quite a bit of pain and therefore stressing him out. I would have a look in his mouth to make sure there is nothing abnormal there, such a piece of stick for example. Sometimes dogs can hyper salivate as a result of a tummy upset, so monitor his appetite and toileting. In general, ear infections are very common in dogs, and it is worthy considering they are very painful so an early visit to the vet will help addressing the problem. I would not put anything down Sully's ear, just in case a grass seed or anything unusual is there.

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