Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 2/17/2009

Question
My dog has had an ear infection for quite some time now. I took him to the vet and she gave me drops for him. We used them once a day for 14 days as prescribed. It seems as if they didn't work. Is ear is red and I see him itching it now and then. It was horrible trying to get drops in his ears so I was hoping it would go away on it's own. Is this possible? If not can the vet prescribe him pills instead of ear drops?

Answer
Almost all ear infections arise because of some type of skin problem that affects the skin in the ear canal.  So the medicine may work for a short time, but when it is stopped, the problem comes right back because the skin issue has not been addressed.  Steroid pills may work to lessen the inflammation and itching, but antibiotic pills do not get to the ear in any quantity.  If you cannot medicate the dog, ask your vet to put in an "Ear Wick", so it will stay moist with medication for days at a time before you have to add any medicine to the ear.