Most dog ear infections clear with the right treatment, but the right treatment depends on what's growing in the ear and whether the eardrum is intact.1,2 That's why a vet exam and a quick swab test come first. This page explains what vets do, the medications they use, including single-dose treatments given at the clinic, stubborn Pseudomonas infections, how long treatment takes, how to clean your dog's ears, and which home remedies to avoid.
Before you put anything in your dog's ear:
What the Research Shows
- A single clinic dose can work. In the FDA field study for Claro, one dose given at the clinic succeeded in 72.5% of dogs at day 30, compared with 11.1% of controls.8
- Two-dose gels work too. Osurnia, given twice a week apart at the clinic, succeeded in 64.8% of dogs at day 45, against 43.4% on placebo.9
- Eye safety matters. By late 2017, the FDA had 10 reports of corneal ulcers in dogs for each of these two products, so they're applied by vet staff.10
- Not all cleaners kill germs. In a lab test of commercial ear cleaners, three had no antimicrobial activity at any dilution.11
- Cleaner bottles can get contaminated. 12% of in-use home ear-cleaner bottles (17 of 140) grew bacteria, mostly at the tip.12
What Your Vet Will Do
- Examine the ear with an otoscope to check the canal and eardrum, and remove any grass seed.1,4
- Take a swab for cytology to see whether yeast, cocci or rods are present.1,2
- Clean or flush the ear, sometimes under sedation for very sore or blocked ears. Cleaning is one of the most important steps in chronic otitis.13,14
- Send a culture if rods are seen, the infection keeps returning, or oral medicine is being considered.1
Ear Medications
Daily ear drops or ointments usually combine an antibiotic, an antifungal and a steroid. Published cure rates for these are often over 90% when they're used correctly.14
Single-dose, long-acting products are applied at the clinic and stay in the ear for weeks. In the US these include Claro (approved 2015) and generics such as Simplera (2022), and Osurnia (2014), which is given twice a week apart. They're approved for infections with Staph bacteria and Malassezia yeast but may not work when Pseudomonas is the only germ.8,15,9 Outside the US, a product with the same three ingredients as Claro is sold as Neptra; it isn't FDA-approved.16
Oral antibiotics aren't needed for an outer-ear infection alone. They're used when the middle ear is infected.1 Your vet may also prescribe medicine to reduce swelling and pain.
Stubborn and Pseudomonas Infections
Pseudomonas is a rod-shaped bacterium that can cause painful, ulcerated ears and is often resistant to common antibiotics. It usually needs a culture to choose the drug, thorough cleaning, and treatment until a week after swabs and cultures are clear.2,1 Ears that don't improve should be checked for middle-ear infection, which is common in chronic cases.1,6 Referral to a veterinary dermatologist can help: in one referral study of dogs with stubborn yeast otitis, 91% of ears responded to an ear flush and a full management plan.14
How Long Does Treatment Take?
Acute infections typically need 2 to 4 weeks of treatment, but chronic infections can take months.1 Your vet will recheck the ear with a swab, usually every 1 to 2 weeks, until the infection has cleared.1 Treatment usually continues until a week after the swab is clear, not just until the ear looks better.2
How to Clean Your Dog's Ears
- Use a dog ear cleaner your vet recommends, and check its expiry date; smaller bottles are less likely to become contaminated.12
- Lift the ear flap and fill the ear canal with cleaner, keeping the bottle tip out of the ear.3
- Massage the base of the ear for about 30 seconds.3
- Let your dog shake their head, then wipe out loosened debris with cotton wool or gauze, only as far as your finger reaches.3
- Reward your dog. Clean as often as your vet advises; healthy ears may need little cleaning.3,17
Never use cotton swabs in the canal; they push debris deeper and can damage the eardrum.3,5 If medication is prescribed, clean first and wait as your vet directs before applying it. See dog ear washing.
Home Remedies: What to Avoid
- Hydrogen peroxide and alcohol: vets advise against them because they irritate the ear canal.3,5,17
- Vinegar: Merck advises avoiding vinegar dilutions and other home remedies in infected ears because they can irritate and increase swelling.1 Some dermatologists use dilute vinegar as a maintenance flush in healthy ears, but it isn't a treatment for an active infection and can sting inflamed or ulcerated ears.18,14
- Essential oils and other untested products.5
- Leftover medication from a previous infection: it may be the wrong drug, and some can cause hearing loss if the eardrum is damaged.4
Over-the-counter ear products aren't always effective and can make inflammation worse.7 See ear infections in dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do vets treat ear infections in dogs?
By cleaning the ear and prescribing medicated drops chosen based on a swab test. Some use a single long-acting dose given at the clinic.
Can I treat my dog's ear infection at home without a vet?
It's not recommended. The right drug depends on the germs involved and whether the eardrum is intact, which only an exam can show.
Does vinegar cure dog ear infections?
No good evidence shows it does, and it can sting an inflamed ear. Merck advises avoiding it in infected ears.
Is hydrogen peroxide safe for dogs' ears?
Vets advise against it because it irritates the ear canal.
How long does a dog ear infection take to heal?
Usually 2 to 4 weeks for a new infection. Chronic infections can take months.
What is the single-dose ear treatment for dogs?
Products such as Claro, Simplera and Osurnia are applied by vet staff and last for weeks, so you don't need to give daily drops.
Do dogs need antibiotic pills for ear infections?
Usually not. Ear drops treat outer-ear infections. Pills are used when the middle ear is infected.
How often should I clean my dog's ears?
As often as your vet advises. Healthy ears may need little cleaning, and overcleaning can irritate them.
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Sources and further reading
This article was rewritten and fact-checked on October 15, 2026 against current veterinary references and specialist guidelines:
- Hoff S. Otitis externa in animals. Merck Veterinary Manual, April 2026.
- Koch S. The challenge of chronic otitis in dogs: diagnosis and treatment. Today's Veterinary Practice, 2017, updated 2022.
- Weir M, Panning A. Instructions for ear cleaning in dogs. VCA Animal Hospitals, August 2025.
- Weir M, Panning A, Ward E. Ear infections in dogs (otitis externa). VCA Animal Hospitals, April 2026.
- DeJaynes J. How to clean your dog's ears. PetMD, 2023.
- Otitis media. LAVC Annual Conference, 2009. Conference proceedings hosted by IVIS.
- Cornell Richard P. Riney Canine Health Center. Itchy ear problems.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Freedom of Information summary: Claro (florfenicol, terbinafine, mometasone furoate) otic solution, NADA 141-440. 2015.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Freedom of Information summary: Osurnia (florfenicol, terbinafine, betamethasone acetate) otic gel, NADA 141-437. 2014.
- American Veterinary Medical Association. FDA warns of eye injuries with use of canine ear medications. JAVMA News, January 2018.
- Swinney A, Fazakerley J, McEwan N, Nuttall T. Comparative in vitro antimicrobial efficacy of commercial ear cleaners. Veterinary Dermatology, 2008.
- Cain CL. Journal club: focus on otitis. Today's Veterinary Practice, 2013 (summarizing Steen and Paterson 2012 and Bartlett et al. 2011).
- Fontaine J. How do I manage otitis? EVC Voorjaarsdagen, 2008. Conference proceedings hosted by IVIS.
- Nuttall T. Managing recurrent otitis externa in dogs: what have we learned and what can we do better? Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 2023.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA approves Simplera otic solution to treat ear infections in dogs. CVM Update, September 2022.
- European Medicines Agency. CVMP summary of positive opinion for Neptra. October 2019.
- Burke A. How to clean your dog's ears. American Kennel Club, 2026.
- Gentry C. Don't fear the yucky ear! VMX 2025 conference notes (sponsored by IDEXX and Merck Animal Health).
About this article
Last updated : fully rewritten using FDA approval records, the Merck Veterinary Manual, peer-reviewed studies of ear cleaners, specialist dermatology reviews, VCA and PetMD; added the research summary, vet treatments, long-acting ear medications, stubborn infections, treatment length, step-by-step cleaning, home remedies, key takeaways and FAQ.
This page is for general information and is not a substitute for an exam by your veterinarian.
