• Dogs need proper care for ear infections"Wee Westie Under Wraps" is Copyrighted by Flickr user: Randy Son Of Robert (Randy) under the Creative Commons Attribution license.
  
  

Causes

• Yeast or bacteria are usually the causes of inner ear infections in dogs. Thick or matted hair in the ear and an accumulation of wax can also be causes.
  
  

Symptoms

• Your dog will likely shake its head or scratch its ears often if an inner ear infection is present. Inflamed ears, odor, and yellow or black discharge can also be symptoms.
  
  

Treatment

• Your veterinarian might prescribe antibiotics to get rid of your dog's infection. If debris in the ear is the cause, your dog may need to be sedated while the debris is removed.
  
  

Recovery

• Most inner ear infections can be cured with proper treatment from a veterinarian. Recovery may take as long as six weeks.
  
  

Prevention

• Weekly ear cleanings can help prevent your dog from getting an infection. Ask your veterinarian what ear-cleansing solution is recommended for such cleanings.