My dog's ear has dark, greasy buildup and a bad odor. What is it?

Question

Bear just had surgery to remove a plate from his knee. He’s on antibiotic and is doing very well. His ear, however has a greasy buildup that is dark and has an odor. What can I do for this? Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | neutered | 10 years old | 72 lbs

Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA · Accepted Answer

Poor Bear! Dark waxy debris and an odor are usually signs of an ear infection. You will need prescription ear drops from your vet to treat it effectively, so I would recommend calling your regular veterinarian or taking him in for an exam when you are able to. In the meantime, you can try cleaning the ear with an over-the-counter ear flush labeled for dogs such as EpiOtic or MalAcetic to help remove the debris and make his ear feel better. This is not enough to get rid of the infection in most cases, but it may help to make him a bit more comfortable until you are able to see the vet.

My dog's ear has dark, greasy buildup and a bad odor. What is it?

Most Helpful Answer

Related Questions

What to do if my cat has a small hole with pus coming from its ear?

My male dog's penis is stuck out and his scrotum has a painful rash.

My pet keeps scratching its ear. What's causing this problem?

My pet's ear mite treatment isn't working. What else could it be?

Why does my puppy have bloody, mucousy stools despite diet changes?

My senior dog has recurring pancreatitis. How can I manage his diet?

Share