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What if a cotton swab tip is left inside my dog's ear canal?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | unspayed | 3 years and 4 months old | 37 lbs

I was cleaning my dogs ear n d small cotton. Bud tip I guess gt left out inside her ears.. I just wana know what can happen... I did clean her ears AFTR that with flooding it with ear drops but the small piece I dint see...

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on May 7th, 2019

The only way to know if there is a piece of cotton still in the ear canal is to have your vet look inside with an otoscope. If there is a piece in there it can cause constant infections and a decrease in hearing. I know you flushed out the ear afterwards but cotton gets heavy when soaked and may not come out. The ear canal in a dog is very long so it could still be down there.

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