Labrador Ear Infections: What To Do Now & How to Stop Recurrence | AI Pets Lab
Symptom Checker
Head shaking [mild]
Frequent, vigorous side-to-side head movements, sometimes multiple times a minute.
Scratching at ears [mild]
Your Lab uses hind paws to scratch the ear area, or rubs ear on furniture/carpet.
Foul-smelling discharge [moderate]
Brown, waxy, or yellow-green pus coming from the ear canal. Smells like bread (yeast) or rotten meat (bacteria).
Red and swollen ear canal [moderate]
Inside of ear flap and canal appear pink to bright red, may feel warm to touch.
Ear hematoma [emergency]
Swollen, hot, and painful ear flap — looks like a water balloon attached to the ear. Dog may cry when touched.
Head tilt or balance loss [emergency]
Dog walks with head tilted to one side, stumbles, circles, or has rapid eye movements (nystagmus).
Frequently Asked Questions
My Lab's ear is swollen and hot — is that an emergency?
That sounds like an ear hematoma — a blood blister caused by violent head shaking. It's not life-threatening but needs vet treatment quickly to prevent scarring and permanent ear damage. Deep breath, call your vet now and let them know. If it's after hours, go to the emergency vet. Don't try to drain it yourself.
How do I know if it's a yeast or bacterial infection?
You really can't tell by looking. Yeast usually has a dark, waxy discharge that smells like bread or old cheese. Bacterial infections often produce yellow or green pus with a foul odor. But the only way to know for sure is a vet ear cytology — they look at a sample under a microscope. Don't guess because treatment is different.
How long does treatment for a chronic ear infection take?
A single infection may clear up in 1-2 weeks with the right medication. But to stop them from coming back, you need to address the underlying allergy, which can take months of diet trials or immunotherapy. Be patient — you're not just treating an ear, you're changing the whole environment.
Can I just use over-the-counter ear drops instead of going to the vet?
You can, but it's risky. OTC drops might temporarily soothe symptoms but won't kill the specific bacteria or yeast causing the infection. And if you use them when your Lab has a ruptured eardrum, they can cause deafness. The vet visit may seem expensive, but it's cheaper than dealing with resistant infections or hearing loss.
My Lab hates ear cleaning — am I hurting him?
If your Lab's ears are infected, cleaning can be uncomfortable. But if they're healthy and you're cleaning gently, most dogs get used to it. Go slow, use a soft cotton ball or pad (not a Q-tip), and give treats. If your Lab screams or pulls away hard, stop — there might be an infection or ear drum issue. Let your vet check first.
What if I see blood in my Lab's ear?
A little blood from scratching is not urgent but should be checked soon. If there's a lot of blood or it's dripping, or if your Lab's ear flap is actively swelling (hematoma forming), that's a same-day vet visit. Call your vet and describe what you see.