Best Dog Ear Cleaning Solutions in 2026: Why Floppy-Eared Breeds Need Weekly Cleaning

Canine otitis externa is one of the most common conditions in primary veterinary practice. The UK VetCompass study (O’Neill 2021) found a one-year prevalence of 7.3%, with worldwide estimates 6.3 to 13%¹². Floppy-eared breeds, Shar-Peis, and Labradoodles carry the highest risk.

Two distinctions matter before choosing any cleaner. Cleaning prevents disease in healthy ears; it doesn’t treat active infection. Active otitis (head shaking, scratching, odor, discharge, pain) needs veterinary cytology and likely prescription topicals³. Any cleaner used on an ear with a ruptured eardrum also risks ototoxicity (hearing loss, vestibular damage). A veterinarian must verify an intact eardrum before any product enters a symptomatic ear.

Recurrent otitis is not just an ear problem either. Up to 75% of dogs with recurrent infections have underlying allergic disease³. Chronic infections need root-cause workup, not stronger cleaners.

The five picks below cover routine maintenance, post-swim drying, recurrent cases, and daily wipes, matched to risk level rather than premium-marketing.

Related: sensitive skin shampoos, flea and tick prevention.

Last updated: May 29 2026 | By Austin Murphy

This is general information, not veterinary advice. Head shaking, scratching, odor, dark or bloody discharge, redness, swelling, pain on touch, balance issues, head tilt, or hearing changes all warrant veterinary evaluation before using any cleaner. Never use any product if eardrum status is unknown or if the eardrum may be ruptured. Ototoxicity risk is real.

Quick Verdict

• Best for routine prevention in healthy ears: Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced. Salicylic acid drying, antimicrobial monosaccharides, ear-pH-matched formulation widely used in veterinary practice.
• Skip OTC cleaners entirely for active infection: head shaking, scratching, odor, discharge, or pain all need veterinary cytology and likely prescription topicals. OTC cleaners on an undiagnosed infection can worsen the condition or cause ototoxicity if the eardrum is ruptured.

What Otitis Externa Actually Is

Anatomy explains the susceptibility

The dog ear canal is L-shaped: vertical from the opening, then horizontal toward the eardrum. This geometry traps moisture, wax, and debris in a warm enclosed space. Floppy ears reduce airflow further, which is why pendulous-eared breeds dominate the high-risk lists. Hair growing inside the canal (Poodles, Schnauzers) adds another layer of trapping.

What infects and why

Most active otitis is secondary infection by Malassezia yeast, Staphylococcus pseudintermedius bacteria, or Pseudomonas aeruginosa in chronic and recalcitrant cases. Pseudomonas accounts for up to 35% of chronic infections². Mixed yeast-and-bacterial infections are common. Each organism responds to different topicals, which is why cytology under the microscope guides treatment rather than empirical product choice.

The primary cause is usually upstream

Veterinary dermatology consensus is that ear infections rarely happen in isolation. Most common primary causes are atopic dermatitis (environmental allergies), adverse food reactions, ectoparasites, foreign bodies, endocrine disease (hypothyroidism, Cushing’s), and conformational anatomy³. Recurrent infections are a flag for the underlying primary disease, not a cleaner deficiency.

Cleaning role vs treatment role

OTC ear cleaners prevent infections by removing wax, debris, and moisture from healthy ears before microbes proliferate. They serve as adjuncts in some treatment plans under veterinary direction. OTC cleaners are not standalone treatments for active otitis, which requires identification of the organism (cytology) and targeted antifungal, antibacterial, or anti-inflammatory therapy.

Why cytology matters

An ear that looks the same to the owner can contain yeast, gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, or any combination. The product that treats one can worsen another. A 5-minute cytology slide in the veterinary office identifies what’s there and routes treatment correctly.

The Ototoxicity Warning

What ototoxicity is

Certain ingredients can damage the cochlea (causing hearing loss) or the vestibular system (causing balance problems and head tilt) if they reach the middle ear. These structures are protected by an intact eardrum; if the eardrum is ruptured, those structures are exposed.

Why owners can’t tell if an eardrum is ruptured

Eardrum integrity requires otoscopic examination. Chronic otitis can rupture an eardrum without obvious external signs. A dog with severe head shaking, sudden balance issues, or a history of recurrent infections may have an undetected rupture. The only way to confirm an intact eardrum is veterinary examination.

Ingredients with ototoxicity concerns

Chlorhexidine at higher concentrations, alcohol-based products, certain antibiotics (especially aminoglycosides), iodine compounds, and some prescription topicals all carry ototoxicity risk when the eardrum is compromised. This is one of the main reasons veterinary cytology and otoscopy precede prescription ear treatments.

The safe rule

If the ear is symptomatic (head shaking, scratching, discharge, odor, pain), the eardrum status must be confirmed by a veterinarian before any product enters the ear. If the ear is asymptomatic and the dog has no history of chronic infections, routine cleaners are generally safe, though the cleaner should still be used at recommended frequency, not flooded into the canal in an effort to “deep clean.”

What to Look for in an Ear Cleaning Solution

pH matching the ear canal

The dog ear canal is slightly acidic. Cleaners formulated to that pH respect the resident microbial balance. Strongly alkaline cleaners disrupt the natural flora and can paradoxically increase infection susceptibility. Look for cleaners that specifically describe ear-canal-appropriate pH.

Drying ingredients

Salicylic acid, boric acid, and aluminum acetate dry the canal after cleaning. Moisture is one of the primary drivers of yeast overgrowth, so drying matters as much as removing debris. Cleaners that lift wax but leave a wet canal can increase infection risk.

Antimicrobial action for higher-risk dogs

For dogs at elevated risk (floppy-eared swimmers, recurrent infection history), look for monosaccharides (Epi-Otic Advanced uses these), TrizEDTA, or low-concentration chlorhexidine designed for ear use. These add a mild antimicrobial layer to the mechanical cleaning. Note: these are prevention-strength, not treatment-strength.

Avoiding inappropriate ingredients

Three things to skip for routine canine ear cleaning: hydrogen peroxide (disrupts normal flora, can leave fizzing residue), rubbing alcohol used straight (painful on any inflamed tissue, harsh on healthy canal lining), and human ear products (formulated for different anatomy and pH).

Realistic role for ear wipes

Wipes clean the visible outer ear and pinna. They do not clean the canal. They’re useful for surface maintenance on top of bottle cleaners, not as a primary canal cleaning method for high-risk dogs.

Our Top 5 Dog Ear Cleaning Picks in 2026

1. Virbac Epi-Otic Advanced

Best overall for routine cleaning of healthy ears | Price: ~$22 per 8-oz bottle

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Epi-Otic Advanced is a long-established veterinary ear cleaner used widely in primary practice and dermatology referral. The formulation combines salicylic acid (drying), monosaccharides (antimicrobial monosaccharides that disrupt biofilm adherence), and an ear-pH-matched base. It’s the cleaner most often recommended by veterinarians for routine maintenance and as the primary care cleaner for floppy-eared, swimming, or otitis-prone dogs whose ears are currently healthy.

Virbac is a veterinary pharmaceutical company; the Advanced formulation specifically targets biofilm formation, which matters in dogs with a history of chronic infections. Biofilms protect bacteria from antibiotics and conventional cleaners; the anti-adherence monosaccharides aim to prevent that biofilm-protected reservoir from establishing.

Important framing: Epi-Otic Advanced is a maintenance product. It’s used between or after veterinary treatment of active otitis, not as a substitute for that treatment. If the ear has discharge, smells, or shows visible inflammation, the veterinary visit comes first.

Key Features

Salicylic acid (drying). Monosaccharide antimicrobial blend. Anti-biofilm formulation. Ear-pH-matched. Widely used in veterinary practice.

PROS:

• Established veterinary ear cleaner with strong clinical track record
• Anti-biofilm action targets chronic recurrence
• Salicylic acid provides drying after cleaning
• Ear-pH-matched protects normal flora
• Available OTC without prescription

CONS:

• Premium price compared to budget cleaners
• Not appropriate for active infections
• Cannot substitute for veterinary diagnosis or treatment
• Eardrum status should be confirmed before use in any symptomatic ear
• Cannot treat ear mites, foreign bodies, or underlying allergic disease

Best for: healthy ears in moderate to high-risk dogs (floppy-eared breeds, swimmers, allergic dogs with infection history but currently controlled), and as a maintenance product between veterinary visits.

2. Zymox Otic Enzymatic Solution

Best enzymatic option for chronic-prone ears | Price: ~$30 per 4-oz bottle

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Zymox uses the LP3 enzyme system (lactoperoxidase, lactoferrin, lysozyme). These are naturally occurring antimicrobial enzymes also found in mammalian saliva and tears. The mechanism is broad: the enzymes have activity against bacteria, yeast, and some biofilm components without traditional antibiotics. For dogs whose recurrent ear issues haven’t responded to conventional cleaners and whose veterinarians want to reduce repeated antibiotic exposure, Zymox is often part of the long-term plan.

Two versions exist: one without hydrocortisone (for routine use) and one with 1% hydrocortisone (for inflammation). The hydrocortisone version is anti-inflammatory and should be used under veterinary direction, not as self-selected for ongoing inflammation, since steroids can mask progressing disease and complicate cytology results.

Application differs from standard cleaners: Zymox is typically applied without flushing or wiping the canal afterward, since the enzymes need contact time. This is the manufacturer’s protocol; verify with your veterinarian if there’s any uncertainty about whether your dog’s case warrants this approach.

Key Features

LP3 enzyme system (lactoperoxidase + lactoferrin + lysozyme). Available with or without hydrocortisone. No traditional antibiotics. Manufacturer protocol calls for no flushing. Multiple bottle sizes.

PROS:

• Different mechanism than conventional cleaners (useful when conventional cleaners stall)
• No antibiotic resistance development with enzyme system
• Gentle enough for sensitive ears
• Hydrocortisone version available for inflammation under vet direction
• Established product with veterinary use history

CONS:

• Higher per-ounce cost
• Hydrocortisone version requires veterinary direction
• Different application protocol than standard cleaners
• Cannot substitute for cytology-guided treatment of acute infection
• Eardrum status should be confirmed before use in any symptomatic ear

Best for: dogs with chronic recurrent ear issues working with a veterinarian to reduce conventional antibiotic exposure, sensitive ears that react to chemical cleaners, and long-term maintenance in dogs with documented allergic ear disease.

3. Vet’s Best Ear Relief Wash

Best budget option for low-risk routine maintenance | Price: ~$10 per 16-oz bottle

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Vet’s Best Ear Relief Wash provides routine cleaning at the lowest credible price on the list. The natural-ingredient formula uses chamomile, aloe vera, and tea tree oil; the 16-oz bottle lasts most low-risk households 6 to 12 months. For upright-eared, short-coated, non-swimming dogs with no infection history, this is appropriate routine maintenance at a reasonable cost.

The trade-off is straightforward: less aggressive antimicrobial action than veterinary cleaners, and tea tree oil at higher concentrations can be irritating to some dogs (the dilute concentration in this product is well below toxicity thresholds for topical use, but sensitive dogs may still react). For low-risk dogs needing only mechanical debris removal, this delivers without the premium price.

Key Features

Chamomile, aloe vera, tea tree oil base. 16-oz bottle. Lower per-ounce cost. Natural ingredient framing. OTC available.

PROS:

• Lowest per-ounce cost on the list
• Large bottle for extended household use
• Gentle for routine cleaning of healthy ears
• Natural ingredient profile
• Widely available at retailers

CONS:

• Less antimicrobial action than veterinary cleaners
• Not appropriate for high-risk or recurrent-infection dogs
• Some dogs sensitive to tea tree oil even at dilute concentrations
• Less veterinary research backing than Virbac or Zymox
• Cannot substitute for veterinary care of any active issue

Best for: low-risk dogs (upright ears, short coat, no swimming, no infection history) needing routine monthly or after-bath maintenance, and budget-conscious households.

4. Mister Ben’s Ear Cleaner

Best post-swim drying option for healthy ears only | Price: ~$15 per 4-oz bottle

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Mister Ben’s combines isopropyl alcohol and boric acid for aggressive drying after water exposure. For swimming dogs and humid-climate dogs with healthy ears and intact eardrums, the drying action helps prevent the moisture buildup that drives yeast overgrowth. Used immediately after swims or baths, it removes the wet environment that yeast needs.

Important caveat (read before buying): alcohol-based ear products are inappropriate for any ear that is inflamed, painful, has discharge, or has a ruptured eardrum. Alcohol is painful on irritated tissue and risks ototoxicity through a compromised eardrum. This product is specifically for routine post-water use on otherwise healthy ears. If there’s any uncertainty about ear health, use a non-alcohol cleaner (Epi-Otic Advanced) or skip cleaning until a veterinarian has examined the ear.

Some veterinarians prefer ear-specific drying products without alcohol (such as TrizEDTA-based solutions used at low concentrations) because alcohol can sting healthy canal linings and create resistance to future cleaning. The boric acid in Mister Ben’s adds mild antimicrobial action, but for chronic-prone dogs, a non-alcohol drying agent under veterinary guidance is often the better choice.

Key Features

Isopropyl alcohol (drying). Boric acid (mild antimicrobial). Aggressive drying action. Post-swim application. 4-oz bottle.

PROS:

• Strong drying action after water exposure
• Boric acid adds mild antimicrobial layer
• Reasonable price for targeted post-water use
• Quick application after swims and baths
• Good adjunct for healthy-eared swimming dogs

CONS:

• Alcohol is inappropriate for inflamed or sensitive ears
• Ototoxicity risk if eardrum is ruptured (alcohol entry to middle ear)
• Painful on any irritated tissue; some dogs become head-shy
• Not suitable for routine canal cleaning beyond post-water drying
• Strong scent some dogs reject

Best for: swimming dogs with confirmed healthy ears and intact eardrums, humid-climate dogs needing post-bath drying, and as a focused after-water application rather than primary cleaner. Not for any ear with current or recent inflammation, discharge, or pain.

5. Pet MD Ear Cleaning Wipes

Best surface wipes for outer ear and pinna maintenance | Price: ~$12 per 100-wipe container

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Pet MD Wipes solve the convenience problem for daily outer ear maintenance. Wipes clean the visible portion of the ear (pinna, ear opening, ear fold) quickly without the time required for bottle-based canal cleaning. For low-risk dogs needing only surface wax and debris removal between bottle cleanings, the wipes deliver acceptable maintenance with minimal effort.

Honest scope: wipes do not clean the canal itself. A wipe cannot reach the L-bend of the canal where most infection-prone debris accumulates. For dogs needing actual canal cleaning, bottle-based products are necessary. As surface maintenance on top of periodic bottle cleaning, or for dogs whose risk is mainly surface debris and pinna wax, wipes work.

Pet MD wipes use eucalyptol and mild cleansers. Less aggressive than alcohol-based products, suitable for sensitive surface skin around the ear flap and ear opening.

Key Features

Pre-moistened wipes. Eucalyptol and mild cleansers. 100 wipes per container. Lower per-wipe cost. No bottle pouring.

PROS:

• Most convenient option for daily surface maintenance
• Affordable per-wipe cost
• Useful for outer ear and ear fold cleaning
• Gentle on surface skin around the ear
• Works alongside periodic bottle cleaning

CONS:

• Surface only, cannot clean the canal where most disease develops
• Not adequate alone for high-risk or recurrent-infection dogs
• Single-use environmental waste
• Less thorough than bottle-based solutions
• Cannot substitute for veterinary care of any active issue

Best for: daily surface maintenance for low-risk dogs, supplementary wiping between bottle cleanings for any dog, and households where bottle cleaning fits weekly rather than daily routines.

Which Solution Fits Your Dog’s Situation

Your dog’s situation	Virbac Epi-Otic	Zymox	Vet’s Best	Mister Ben’s	Pet MD Wipes
Head shaking, scratching, odor, discharge, redness, pain, balance issues, head tilt	Veterinary evaluation first. Active otitis needs cytology and likely prescription topicals. OTC cleaners on an undiagnosed infection can worsen the condition or cause ototoxicity if the eardrum is ruptured.
History of recurrent ear infections returning every 1-3 months	Veterinary workup for underlying cause (atopic dermatitis, food allergy, endocrine disease). Recurrent otitis is a symptom of upstream disease, not a cleaner failure.
Healthy ears, floppy-eared breed, no infection history	Best fit	Workable: alternative mechanism	Workable: budget option	Workable: post-water only	Workable: surface supplement
Healthy ears, upright-eared, short coat, no swimming	Workable: more than needed	Skip: more than needed	Best fit: matches risk level	Skip: drying not needed	Best fit: easy maintenance
Swimming dog, ears currently healthy	Best fit: primary cleaner	Workable	Workable	Best fit: post-swim drying	Workable: surface
Dog with confirmed atopic dermatitis, allergy under control, healthy ears	Best fit	Best fit: long-term option	Workable	Skip: alcohol on sensitive ears	Workable: surface only
Dog with recurrent ear issues working with vet on prevention plan	Workable	Best fit: enzyme system	Skip: not strong enough	Skip: alcohol risk	Skip: surface only
Budget-constrained, low-risk healthy dog	Workable	Skip: premium price	Best fit	Workable	Best fit
Daily maintenance for visible outer ear and ear fold	Skip: bottle format	Skip: bottle format	Skip: bottle format	Skip: bottle format	Best fit
Eardrum status unknown or potentially ruptured	Veterinary otoscopy first. No OTC ear cleaner should enter a canal with possible eardrum rupture.

Prices approximate and shift with sales. Three rows route to veterinary care rather than product selection.

How to Clean a Dog’s Ears Properly

Inspect before cleaning

Look at and smell each ear. Redness, swelling, dark or bloody discharge, foul odor, pain on touch, head shaking, or scratching all mean: stop and call the veterinarian. Don’t clean an ear that looks or smells infected. Cleaning over an active infection delays diagnosis and may worsen the problem.

Fill the canal with the solution

With a healthy ear, hold the ear flap up and squeeze cleaner into the canal until it begins to overflow at the opening. Following manufacturer directions matters; over-flooding doesn’t add cleaning power and can cause moisture issues.

Massage the base of the ear for 20-30 seconds

You should hear a squelching sound as the solution mixes with wax and debris in the canal. This mechanical action is the actual cleaning step. Skipping the massage means the solution sits in the canal without working.

Let the dog shake their head

The shake brings loosened debris and excess solution to the outer ear, where you can wipe it. Expect a splash, so plan accordingly. Stand back during the shake.

Wipe the outer ear and ear fold with cotton balls or gauze

Wipe what you can see. Never insert cotton swabs (Q-tips) into the canal; they push debris deeper, can damage the canal lining, and risk eardrum rupture if pushed too far. The canal cleans itself via the solution; the wipe only addresses the visible outer portion.

Reward the dog

Positive associations make ongoing cleaning sustainable. Treat or praise after cleaning, especially with dogs new to the process.

Frequency by risk level

Low-risk dogs: monthly or after baths. Medium-risk (floppy-eared, occasional swimming): weekly. High-risk (chronic infection history, frequent swimming): 2-3 times weekly, ideally under veterinary direction. Avoid daily canal cleaning unless specifically directed by a veterinarian; over-cleaning can disrupt normal flora and worsen the very problem it’s trying to prevent.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Treating an active infection with OTC cleaners

Active otitis (head shaking, odor, discharge, pain) needs cytology to identify the organism and targeted prescription treatment. OTC cleaners are not antimicrobials at treatment strength. Using them on an active infection delays diagnosis and may cause ototoxicity if the eardrum is compromised.

Avoid human ear products, hydrogen peroxide, or rubbing alcohol

Hydrogen peroxide disrupts normal canal flora. Straight rubbing alcohol is painful on inflamed tissue and risks ototoxicity. Human ear products are formulated for different anatomies and pH. Use only dog-specific ear cleaners.

Cotton swabs in the canal

Q-tips push debris toward the eardrum, can damage the canal lining, and risk eardrum rupture. Only the visible outer ear should be wiped, and only with cotton balls or gauze.

Ignoring the underlying cause of recurrent infections

Up to 75% of chronic ear infections trace to allergic disease³. Treating the ear infection without addressing the allergy means the infection returns predictably. Veterinary dermatology workup identifies and addresses the upstream cause.

Ear plucking routine for hairy ears

Modern veterinary thinking is mixed on routine plucking of ear canal hair. Plucking creates micro-trauma that can predispose to infection. Trimming or selective removal when hair is genuinely overgrown is preferred over routine pulling. Discuss with your veterinarian rather than auto-plucking at home.

Over-cleaning

Daily aggressive canal cleaning in dogs without symptoms can disrupt the normal microbial balance. Match frequency to risk level; more isn’t always better.

Skipping veterinary follow-up after a treated infection

Many ear infections are partially treated rather than resolved. Reculture or recheck cytology confirms resolution before stopping treatment. Stopping early leads to recurrence and resistance.

When to See Your Veterinarian

• Active head shaking, scratching, or pawing at ears
• Foul odor from the ear
• Dark, bloody, or pus-like discharge
• Redness, swelling, or pain on touch
• Hearing loss or apparent dulled hearing
• Balance issues, head tilt, or unusual eye movement (suggest middle/inner ear involvement)
• Sudden onset of severe symptoms (possible foreign body or rupture)
• Recurrent ear infections returning every 1-3 months (workup for underlying allergic disease)
• Any infection that doesn’t fully resolve with prescribed treatment
• Before using any cleaner on a dog with a history of chronic ear disease (eardrum status check)
• Hot, painful ears in a dog with no obvious external cause
• Dogs scratching ears so hard they break the skin or create aural hematomas

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I clean my dog’s ears?

Match frequency to risk. Low-risk dogs (upright ears, short coat, no swimming, no infection history): monthly or after baths. Medium-risk (floppy ears, occasional swimming): weekly. High-risk (chronic infection history, frequent swimming): 2-3 times weekly under veterinary guidance. Daily aggressive cleaning of asymptomatic ears can disrupt normal microbial balance and is not recommended.

Can I use hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol on my dog’s ears?

No. Hydrogen peroxide disrupts normal ear flora. Straight rubbing alcohol is painful on inflamed tissue and risks ototoxicity if the eardrum is compromised. Use only ear cleaners formulated for dogs.

How do I know if my dog has an ear infection?

Signs include head shaking, scratching at the ear, pawing or rubbing the head, foul odor, dark or pus-like discharge, redness, swelling, pain on touch, and behavior changes (reduced appetite, hiding, depression from the pain). Some dogs tilt the head or rub the ear against furniture. Active infection requires veterinary cytology to identify the organism, not OTC cleaners.

What is ototoxicity and why does it matter?

Ototoxicity is damage to the cochlea (hearing) or vestibular system (balance) from substances reaching the middle or inner ear. The cochlea and vestibular structures are protected by an intact eardrum. If the eardrum is ruptured, substances entering the canal can reach these structures. Alcohol-based products, chlorhexidine at higher concentrations, certain antibiotics, and some prescription topicals all carry ototoxicity risk through a compromised eardrum. This is why veterinary otoscopy precedes prescription ear treatment.

Why does my dog keep getting ear infections?

Up to 75% of recurrent ear infections in dogs trace to underlying allergic disease (atopic dermatitis or food allergy). Other causes include conformational anatomy (floppy ears, hair in canal), endocrine disease, ectoparasites, and foreign bodies. Recurrent infections need a veterinary workup for the underlying cause, not just stronger ear cleaners. Treating the ear without addressing the cause means the infection returns predictably.

Are cotton swabs (Q-tips) safe for dog ears?

No. Q-tips push debris deeper into the canal, can damage the canal lining, and risk eardrum rupture. Only wipe the visible outer ear with cotton balls or gauze. Canal cleaning is done by the solution itself, not by mechanical insertion.

What breeds need more ear cleaning?

The O’Neill 2021 VetCompass study found the highest odds of otitis externa in Basset Hounds (5.87× crossbred dogs), Chinese Shar Peis (3.44×), Labradoodles (2.95×), Beagles (2.54×), and Golden Retrievers, among 16 breeds with elevated risk1. Generally, floppy-eared breeds, dogs with hair in the canal (Poodles, Schnauzers), and active swimmers, regardless of breed, need more frequent cleaning.

Can I use an ear cleaning solution to treat an ear infection at home?

No. OTC ear cleaners prevent infections in healthy ears by removing debris and moisture. They are not antimicrobial at treatment strength. Active infections need veterinary cytology to identify the organism (yeast vs gram-positive vs gram-negative bacteria) and targeted prescription topicals. Using OTC cleaners on active infections delays diagnosis and may cause ototoxicity if the eardrum is compromised.

Sources

1. O’Neill DG, Volk AV, Soares T, Church DB, Brodbelt DC, Pegram C. Frequency and predisposing factors for canine otitis externa in the UK: a primary veterinary care epidemiological view. Canine Medicine and Genetics. 2021;8:7. One-year prevalence 7.3%, with Basset Hound, Shar Pei, Labradoodle, Beagle, and Golden Retriever among 16 breeds with elevated odds. View source
2. Frontiers in Microbiology 2025. Genomic and phenotypic characterisation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from canine otitis externa. Worldwide otitis externa prevalence 6.3-13%; Pseudomonas aeruginosa is associated with up to 35% of chronic and recalcitrant cases. View source
3. Merck/MSD Animal Health. Canine Otitis Externa in Dogs: Prevalence, Symptoms, and Care. Allergic disease (atopic dermatitis, food allergy) is among the most common primary causes; cytological analysis of otic contents is required for diagnosis and treatment selection. View source