Moisture in the canal
Swimming, bathing, or humid climates trap water in the ear, creating an ideal environment for yeast and bacteria to multiply.
Dog Condition
Dog Ear Infection — Same-Day Online Treatment
Ear infections are painful and highly treatable. Get a same-day diagnosis from a licensed vet via video — and prescription ear drops delivered next-day to your door.
Licensed Vets
$65 Flat Fee
Same-Day Rx
24/7 Access
Otitis externa in dogs
Fast help when your dog's ears are painful
Visual assessment of ear flap redness, swelling, and discharge color
Head-shake and odor history to gauge infection severity
Prescription ear drop options including antibiotic and antifungal combinations
Step-by-step ear cleaning technique demonstrated on video
Guidance on treating underlying allergies that cause repeat infections
Timeline for recheck if symptoms do not improve within 48–72 hours
Ear infections in dogs — otitis externa — develop when bacteria or yeast overgrow in a warm, moist ear canal. Floppy-eared breeds, frequent swimmers, and dogs with untreated allergies are especially vulnerable to painful inflammation, odor, and head shaking.
Many ear infections can be managed from home once the right medication is prescribed. Showing your vet the discharge color, how your dog reacts when the ear is touched, and whether one or both ears are affected helps determine if topical drops alone are sufficient or if oral medication is needed.
Common signs of dog ear infection we can help with
- Head shaking
- Scratching at ear
- Dark or yellow discharge
- Foul odor
- Redness inside ear flap
- Tilting head to one side
- Sensitivity around ear
- Hearing changes
What causes dog ear infection?
Ear infections are usually a symptom of something else — moisture, allergy, or anatomy — not a random one-off event.
Underlying allergies
Atopic dermatitis and food allergies inflame ear skin from the inside out — otitis is often the first sign owners notice.
Anatomy and hair growth
Heavy ear flaps and dense canal hair reduce airflow; Cocker Spaniels and Basset Hounds are classic examples of breed-related risk.
How our vets diagnose it online
While an otoscope exam is ideal in clinic, video consults capture most outward signs needed to start appropriate topical treatment.
- Evaluation of discharge appearance — waxy brown vs. yellow pus vs. black debris
- Assessment of pain level when the ear base is touched
- Review of prior ear infections and allergy history
- Check for head tilt, balance changes, or hearing loss suggesting deeper involvement
- Recommendation for in-person otoscopy if the eardrum cannot be assessed safely online
Treatments we may prescribe
Your vet will match ear drops to likely organisms and inflammation level — and show you how to apply them so medication actually reaches the canal.
Antibiotic ear drops (Otomax, Claro)
Antifungal ear drops
Ear cleaning solution
Oral antibiotics (for severe cases)
Prednisone (for inflammation)
Underlying allergy treatment
All medications are prescribed only when clinically appropriate by a licensed veterinarian and dispensed through our FDA-compliant pharmacy.
Keeping your dog's ears healthy
Dry ears thoroughly after swimming or baths with a vet-approved drying solution.
Treat underlying skin allergies aggressively to stop the itch-scratch-ear-infection cycle.
Avoid cotton swabs deep in the canal — they pack debris inward and damage tissue.
Establish a maintenance cleaning schedule during allergy season if infections recur.
Keep up with regular grooming that removes excess hair blocking canal airflow.
Why pet parents choose TelaVets
Licensed DVMs Only
Every consultation is with a licensed Doctor of Veterinary Medicine — not a chatbot or technician.
$65 Flat Fee
One transparent price covers your full video consultation and treatment plan. No facility fees or surprise charges.
Same-Day Appointments
Most pet parents are connected with a vet within 1–3 hours of booking, 7 days a week.
Next-Day Prescriptions
When medication is appropriate, prescriptions are issued same-day and delivered to your door next business day.
Stress-Free Home Visits
Your pet is assessed in their calm home environment, which often makes symptoms easier to evaluate on video.
Secure & Private
Encrypted video calls and HIPAA-compliant records keep your pet's health information protected.
How TelaVets works
Book your consultation
Pick a same-day or upcoming slot — appointments available 7 days a week.
Connect with a licensed vet
Your vet assesses your pet via secure video, asks detailed questions, and reviews their history.
Get your treatment plan
Receive a diagnosis, personalised care plan, and same-day prescriptions delivered next-day.
What Our Pet Parents Say
Join thousands of happy pet parents who trust TelaVets for their furry family members care
"Fantastic service! My dog gets extremely anxious at the vet, so having a virtual appointment from home was a game-changer. The vet was kind and helpful, and getting his medication delivered the next day made the whole process stress-free and more affordable than going to the clinic."
DL
David Long
Verified Pet Parent
"The vet I spoke with Dr. Ricksaw was very knowledgeable and nice. He took the time to go through all of my options and ideas with me. Reassured me that all we were doing for my dog's anxiety was good and gave me a couple of new ideas as well."
CH
Courtney Hughes
Verified Pet Parent
"I would definitely use them again. I'm cat sitting for 2 weeks and needed to see a vet. I was so worried about the kitten. I used Televets the cat got his prescription and all is good. Excellent service!"
M
Maria
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr Corey was amazing, helpful, compassionate and well versed. I would highly recommend using this. It is so much easier than trying to get a 3 legged cat into a carrier, take him to a doctor's office and stress him out, love it!!!"
JG
Jackie Gardner
Verified Pet Parent
"I had a TelaVets Zoom appointment and couldn't be more impressed. They spent a lot of time with me, walking through every option to help my cat recover from her skin issues. I've also reached out about getting her medication through Chewy.com, and they've been extremely helpful every step of the way."
LD
Lara Durand
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. Moppin is a dedicated professional who truly cares about his furry patients and their humans, too! It's such a relief that Dr. Cole took the time to listen and address my concerns thoughtfully. Thank you for taking care of our cats 🐈"
WW
Wanida Walker
Verified Pet Parent
"This service was amazing! My dog ran out of his medication before we were able to get in with a new vet and they were able to help get him a short term supply quickly. I would definitely use them again!"
AT
Amanda Tobias
Verified Pet Parent
"Knowledgeable, professional caring provider! Needed urgent Vet care on a weekend and TeleVet kept me from having to miss a day of work, as well as half the price of local weekend options. Thank you!"
JH
Jana Humble
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. McGinnis was very knowledgeable and listened to my cat's issues. She addressed the problem and may have come up with an answer after 5 years of trying with local vet practices."
MK
Marilyn Kerr
Verified Pet Parent
"Fantastic service! My dog gets extremely anxious at the vet, so having a virtual appointment from home was a game-changer. The vet was kind and helpful, and getting his medication delivered the next day made the whole process stress-free and more affordable than going to the clinic."
DL
David Long
Verified Pet Parent
"The vet I spoke with Dr. Ricksaw was very knowledgeable and nice. He took the time to go through all of my options and ideas with me. Reassured me that all we were doing for my dog's anxiety was good and gave me a couple of new ideas as well."
CH
Courtney Hughes
Verified Pet Parent
"I would definitely use them again. I'm cat sitting for 2 weeks and needed to see a vet. I was so worried about the kitten. I used Televets the cat got his prescription and all is good. Excellent service!"
M
Maria
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr Corey was amazing, helpful, compassionate and well versed. I would highly recommend using this. It is so much easier than trying to get a 3 legged cat into a carrier, take him to a doctor's office and stress him out, love it!!!"
JG
Jackie Gardner
Verified Pet Parent
"I had a TelaVets Zoom appointment and couldn't be more impressed. They spent a lot of time with me, walking through every option to help my cat recover from her skin issues. I've also reached out about getting her medication through Chewy.com, and they've been extremely helpful every step of the way."
LD
Lara Durand
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. Moppin is a dedicated professional who truly cares about his furry patients and their humans, too! It's such a relief that Dr. Cole took the time to listen and address my concerns thoughtfully. Thank you for taking care of our cats 🐈"
WW
Wanida Walker
Verified Pet Parent
"This service was amazing! My dog ran out of his medication before we were able to get in with a new vet and they were able to help get him a short term supply quickly. I would definitely use them again!"
AT
Amanda Tobias
Verified Pet Parent
"Knowledgeable, professional caring provider! Needed urgent Vet care on a weekend and TeleVet kept me from having to miss a day of work, as well as half the price of local weekend options. Thank you!"
JH
Jana Humble
Verified Pet Parent
"Dr. McGinnis was very knowledgeable and listened to my cat's issues. She addressed the problem and may have come up with an answer after 5 years of trying with local vet practices."
MK
Marilyn Kerr
Verified Pet Parent
Related resources
Helpful reading and services from the TelaVets team.
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Read moreDog Allergy Treatment
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Frequently asked questions about dog ear infection
Yes. Our licensed vets can assess symptoms of ear infection via video consultation, review your dog's history, and provide a clinical assessment with a treatment plan.
Treatment depends on severity and cause. Our vets will create a personalised plan which may include prescription medications, dietary changes, or at-home care instructions.
Same-day appointments are usually available. Most pet owners are seen within 1–3 hours of booking.
Yes. If medication is clinically appropriate, our licensed vets can issue prescriptions same-day, with next-day delivery to your door.
If your dog shows severe distress, inability to breathe, uncontrolled bleeding, or sudden collapse, seek emergency in-person care immediately. For other concerning symptoms, an online consultation is an excellent first step.
Get expert help for your dog's ear infection today
Same-day appointments — $65 flat fee — licensed vets