Is crusty brown stuff in my new dog's ear a sign of infection?

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your dog. I am concerned that he has an ear infection. He needs to see his veterinarian. The ears will be examined including deep inside as the dog's ear drum requires a special instrument in order to be visualized. Then a swab will be taken from each ear to be examined under the microscope. This will allow the veterinarian to determine if an infection is in fact present and if so, what medication will be needed to treat it. I hope this information helps!

This is likely to be caused by an ear infection due to proliferation of Malassezia spp (an yeast infection basically). I would recommend an immediate check up to confirm this clinical suspicion and treat accordingly. Antibiotics ear drops will be required. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach with your question about Aspen. It sounds like she does have an ear infection, but it can be caused by either yeast or bacteria. Without seeing her in person, I can't say what is the cause. I'd take her into a vet today to get this diagnosed and treated. Any ear problem needs to be treated promptly as leaving it untreated can lead to hearing loss. I hope this helps!

It may be discharge associated with an ear infection (bacterial or fungal) or it may be a waxy discharge which is normal. To diagnose infection, have Grock physically examined by your veterinarian. Swabs of the war can be examined in the clinic to diagnose infection. Your vet can then dispense medication and an ear cleaner if indicated.

It sounds like Lilo may be developing an ear infection again. Ear infections can be caused by bacterial, parasitic or fungal infection, or a combination of these, and can be associated with dietary or environmental allergies or sensitivities, immune system disorders, or a combination of the above. Lilo needs to see a vet to have an ear swab done. Your vet can look at the sample under the microscope and treat appropriately based on what is found. Your vet will also need to examine the ear with a scope to see if the ear drum is intact, as some medications cannot be used safely if the eardrum is ruptured. Ear infections can be very painful, and can sometimes progress to include the middle or inner ear, where they can cause neurologic signs or permanent hearing loss. If she is shaking her head or scratching at her ears, please book an appointment to have Lilo seen as soon as possible to help get her feeling better. If she seems comfortable and is not doing those things then she can likely wait until Friday.

This could be a sign of an ear infection in Max. Ear infections typically result from yeast or bacteria in dogs and can be itchy and painful. I'd recommend having Max examined by a veterinarian so his ears can be checked out. The veterinarian can take an ear swab to determine what type of infection is present and what medication can be used to treat it. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Rosco. I recommend that he sees a veterinarian. I worry that he may have an ear infection. If so, the veterinarian will examine the ears and collect a swab from each side. This can be looked at under the microscope. Based on these results, medication and a cleaner can be prescribed to help him feel better. I hope this information helps!