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My dog has an ear infection. How can I help and treat it at home?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Staffordshire Bull Terrier | Male | unneutered | 40 lbs

Hello, my staffordshire terrier has an ear infection (reddish brown discharge, constant shaking, clearly uncomfortable). We are wondering how to help him and if this is something we can treat at home?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on April 23rd, 2020

Hello, thank you for using PetCoach! Sorry that Chance is having this issue. I suggest you use a medicated ear wash (see link below) and an actual ear medication (also linked below). Clean the ears and medicate once per day but do them at opposite times of the day (clean in the evening and medicate in the morning or vice-versa). You don't want to put the medication in the ears on top of the cleaning solution. Do both for AT LEAST 7-10 days. If he is not improved by that time he will need to see your vet. https://worldtails.securevetsource.com/itemView/view/198944_HomeDelivery.pml?productId=136342 https://worldtails.securevetsource.com/itemView/view/198944_HomeDelivery.pml?productId=98587 Be sure you are cleaning the ears correctly. See YouTube video linked below. When you medicate be sure the medication is getting down into the ear canal and not just in the top portion of the canal that you can see. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_8f1fll42A&t=16s Hope this helps. If you have more questions you can always opt for a private consultation where we can chat back and forth. That way you can ask as many questions as you'd like. Best wishes!

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Dr. Paula Simons

    Veterinarian

    Published on

    Many ear infections require a prescription medication from a veterinarian. Ear infections are usually classified as bacterial, fungal, or parasitic. Your vet will swab Chance's ear and look at the discharge under a microscope. They will then prescribe medication depending on the type of infection found. There is not a whole lot you can do at home aside from buying some ear cleaning solution and trying to clean Chance's ears yourself to try to reduce build up of discharge. His ears would need to be dried thoroughly afterward.

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