Expert: Dr. Louis N. Gotthelf - 3/7/2009

Question
My cross collie has been having ear trouble on and of for a while he can go a couple of weeks without problems then he will yelp when he scratches his ear.He will also continuosly shake his head as if there is something inside.Sometimes he seems to be in alot of pain for about 10 mins at a time. The next day he can be fine.i cant see anything visible so i think its deep in the ear canal.What do you suggest

Answer
I suggest a deep ear canal examination with the dog sedated or anesthetized.  SOmetimes there is infection deep, sometimes it is just hairs that are tickling the deeper part of the horizontal ear canal.  If there is an infection there, it is often brought about by skin allergies, so that needs to be treated as well as the ear canal.