How Should I Treat Ear Injury In My Dog?

Is your dog shaking its head?

Is your dog's ear bleeding?

Is your dog's ear swollen?

Does your dog show signs of disequilibrium (losing its balance)?

Check the ear closest to the ground. If a small object is visible (a grass seed or pebble, for instance) try to remove it with your fingers or tweezers. If you can’t get the object out, bandage the ear flat against the head to avoid further damage and take the dog to the vet for treatment. If you need to bandage a dog’s ear but have no gauze available, you can cut the toe off a tube sock and put that over the dog’s head. Just make sure it isn’t too tight.

Using absorbent pads (such as cotton pads, clean towels, or sanitary towels), apply pressure to both sides of the bleeding ear flap for several minutes. Do not remove the pads. Instead, bandage them and the ear flat against the dog’s head and take the dog to see the vet the same day. If you have no gauze available, you can cut the toe off a tube sock and put that over the dog’s head. Just make sure it isn’t too tight.

To prevent any further shaking or damage, bandage the ear flat against the head immediately. Take the dog to the vet within 24 hours. If you have no gauze available, you can cut the toe off a tube sock and put that over the dog’s head. Just make sure it isn’t too tight.

Ensure the dog’s safety by keeping it in a single room with as few objects as possible to fall against. Take the dog to the vet the same day.

Although ear infections are the most common cause of injury, ear-swelling can be caused by abscesses formed after a fight, mites, foreign bodies, or tumors. Always have swelling and bleeding checked by a veterinarian.