Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 6/19/2008

Question
My maltipoo was diagnosed with an ear infection at the vet about 5 days ago. They flushed out her ears and gave her a shot. They also gave me antibiotics and drops. I have been giving her both religiously. The drops are a little harder to do because she freaks out and won't stay still. I still notice her scratching and was just wondering about how long does it take for it to clear up?

Answer
It usually takes 3-5 days for the pain of an ear infection to go away.  But there are so many factors.  For example, if your dog is allergic, the shot may have been a steroid, which will help.  if it was an antibiotic shot, it will not. Depending on which type of infection is inthe ear, either bacterial or yeasts, the medication has to be the proper one to treat that particular infection.   If the drops cannot get to the source of the infection, then the medicine may not help.